Manager II-Team Lead, Government Relations, Ontario Nurses' Association

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada 

Type: Permanent Full-time 

Date: September 27, 2021 

Founded in 1973, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is a leading health-care union  representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals and 18,000  nursing student affiliates working in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health,  community, clinics, and industry.

ONA is seeking to hire a Manager II-Team Lead, Government Relations. Reporting to the  Executive Lead, Communications & Government Relations (CGR), the Manager II-Team  Lead, will be responsible for providing managerial oversight, coordination, and leadership to  ONA’s government relations team, and mobilizing initiatives and campaigns. Working closely  with the Executive Lead, Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Directors, the Manager  II-Team Lead, will ensure the integration and coordination of stakeholder and government  relations and activities in support of ONA’s reputation building, and communications activities.  The Manager II-Team Lead is also responsible for providing strategic advice and support to  the Executive Lead in relation to effective, efficient stakeholder/government relations, and  communications services. Promotes coordination and integration across the CGR team,  including directly leading a team of specialists in government relations, mobilizing and  campaigning.

This is what else you can expect from this dynamic role: 

• Develops, implements, and evaluates government relations strategies to engage both  internal and external audiences to facilitate an open dialogue and understanding of  important issues, challenges, opportunities, and strategic directions; participates in  Management meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors, as required.
• Identifies opportunities and creates pathways to enhance two-way information sharing  and/or new government relations and/or media to extend stakeholder relations and  implements innovative tools to improve mobilizing and campaigns.
• Establishes and maintains government relations service standards and policies to provide  effective reach and uptake across the organization, including to key stakeholders and the  public.
• Integrates and aligns government relations strategies with organizational objectives and  change management initiatives.
• Monitors government agendas and activities; identifies risks, opportunities, and issues  relevant to the ONA’s goals, objectives, and strategic plan.
• Develops and executes coordinated government affairs strategies, issue management  plans, and builds coalitions of like-minded supporters.
• Works collaboratively with the team’s Executive Lead in establishing and monitoring  targets of the team; brings new developments and emerging issues to the attention of the  Executive Lead/team; provides information and takes appropriate action as necessary. • Coordinates and integrates the work of the CGR team.
• Accountable for leading complex work and assigning work to appropriate staff, and at  times editing the work of the team; reviewing methods of doing work and the overall  effectiveness of the direct reports, to ensure the efficient operation and highest standards  of service.
• Provides mentorship to team members and role models in a manner that motivates,  guides, and supports employees.

What we are looking for: 

The successful candidate will possess –

• Undergraduate University degree in a related field (e.g., Communications, Public Affairs,  Political Science, Public Administration).
• Designations such as Communication Management Professional (CMP), Strategic  Communication Management Professional (SCMP), or Accredited Business  Communicator (ABC) are considered assets.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in government relations in health care or an  equivalent combination of experience and a minimum of three (3) years experience  leading diverse teams.
• Involvement in social activism and/or prior experience working in a unionized environment. • Proven experience in coordinating a wide range of programs including mobilizing,  campaigns, and government relations activities.
• Broad and extensive experience in a multi-stakeholder environment, preferably in the  healthcare/public sector.
• Experience in policy development and interpretation.
• Experience in group facilitation, presentation, and project management. • Evidence of the ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. • Member in good standing with the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) or

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is also considered an asset. • Exceptional and versatile writing ability and editing skills and knowledge of writing for  different audiences using various formats.

• Ability to coordinate development of a wide range of materials, including briefing notes,  backgrounders, submissions, news releases, media key messages, questions and  answers, speeches, speaking points, internal and external publications, emails/enews,  correspondence and website documents.
• Self-directed with an ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task. • Demonstrated critical thinking.

The successful candidate must be able to travel, possess a valid driver’s license and have  access to an automobile for business use.

All interested candidates may apply via ONA Jobs by October 11, 2021

The Ontario Nurses’ Association is committed to employment and pay equity within its staff.  Applications are encouraged from equity groups including individuals of Indigenous descent,  racialized individuals, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons. We also provide  accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians  with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage  of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources.

Thank you for your interest in joining us. Only those selected for an interview will be  contacted.