PolicyJobsTO #418

Welcome to this week’s edition of PolicyJobsTO. We asked His Royal Highness to personally deliver this week’s policy jobs newsletter but it looks like he was unavailable.👑🤷‍♂️

read, listen, watch

Lose yourself🎤🎶🔥

• In the music: Lose yourself, composed exclusively from movie clips, somehow amazing 📽️📽️📽️

• The moment: Get yourself so lost you have to get rescued from Mt. Fuji a second time (because you went back for your phone) 🗻🗻🗻

• You own it: PPF report you may have missed on local ownership and local news 📰📰📰

Build baby build🏗️🔨

• Charlie Angus gives a lesson on drywalling📚

• How Madrid built its metro more cheaply than we do here🚇

• New Zealand housing policy and how policy ideas travel across borders🏘️

the jobs

1. Director of Research, Policy & Communications — Social Planning Toronto (SPT)

SPT is seeking a Director of Research, Policy and Communications who will provide inspired, strategic, and dedicated leadership to the organization. They will direct and manage the research, policy analysis, and communications work and staff of the organization. They will be instrumental in leading advocacy and policy change that advances social, racial, gender and economic justice, equitable policies, investments, and strategies, for marginalized communities and neighbourhoods across Toronto. The position reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with the senior management and staff teams.🗣️✊🏽🏙️

2. Manager, Policy, Programs and Partnerships — York Region

York Region is seeking a Manager, Policy, Programs and Partnerships who will be responsible for development and implementation of policies/programs/strategic initiatives; cultivation and promotion of strategic relationships and partnerships; and advancing priorities and objectives related to human services and the achievement of strong, caring, safe communities. This will include research, stakeholder engagement, analysis, options and recommendations, negotiation and management of competing priorities.📋🤝

3. Sessional Lecturer (multiple positions) — McMaster University

McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy Program is recruiting for a few sessional teaching positions. These roles are remote-first, with a hybrid option at the discretion of the instructor.

• Fall 2025: PUBPOL 704: Policy Analysis (seminar)

• Fall 2025: PUBPOL 711: Law and Public Policy (seminar)

• Fall 2025: PUBPOL 756: Project Management (skills lab)

• Fall 2025 or Winter 2026: PUBPOL 760: Informatics for Public Policy (skills lab)

Policy practitioners are welcome (and encouraged!) to apply, and a PhD is desirable but not necessary to teach. Interested candidates should navigate to McMaster’s Current Opportunities page, then select Sessional Faculty, and search the terms above of the JD codes. They are also invited to reach out to the programs Executive Director, Vass Bednar, for a conversation at vass.bednar@mcmaster.ca.🎓📚🧑🏽‍🏫

4. Vice President, Policy — Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)

The OCC is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join the executive team as Vice President, Policy. This pivotal role will shape and advance public policy initiatives that reflect the needs of OCC members and support the organization’s mission of fostering inclusive and sustainable prosperity for Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities. The Vice President will provide strategic leadership to the Policy department, developing and executing business and operational plans that drive long-term growth, establish measurable goals, and track progress against key milestones. This role will oversee engagement with OCC’s Policy Councils, members, and local chambers across the province.🏛️📈🧭

5. Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation — United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT)

Reporting to the Director, Research and Evaluation, the Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation will lead assigned research and evaluation projects and public policy analysis as it relates to UWGT’s strategic directions and priorities. The Senior Manager will ensure research and evaluation activities meet UWGT business priorities and support the Community Impact Department. They will also develop implementation plans and provide day-to-day management and oversight of research, and evaluation activities to ensure successful implementation, meeting goals and deadlines, and oversee all aspects of research and evaluation’s administration.📑🔍❤️

Eds. a great team, we guarantee!

6. Research & Policy Manager — Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Policy, the Research & Policy Manager will contribute to Safer Gambling program management and enhancement, including policy development based on strategies, requirements and priorities defined by the team’s senior leaders. They will also manage key initiatives to advance program objectives, with defined outcomes and impacts; contribute strategic insights for continuous improvement, consistent with team methods for measurement and monitoring program evaluation and evolution.🎰🚫📐

7. External Affairs Specialist — Home Depot

Home Depot is seeking an experienced External Affairs Specialist to join its dynamic Legal and Government Relations team. This is an exciting opportunity to work as a strategic partner with the business on a wide spectrum of external affairs matters. The Specialist will develop and maintain strong relationships with government officials and agencies, and monitor legislative and regulatory developments that may impact Home Depot Canada and advocate for the company's interests. They will also monitor and report on legislative and regulatory developments relevant to the company's interests, conduct policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and communication and advocacy work.

8. Senior Manager, Organizational Strategy & Design, Government & Public Services — Deloitte

The Senior Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, leading them through their most complex Organizational Transformation programs. The Senior Manager understands that strategy drives structure and based on their knowledge of the trends in the Government & Public Services, will support clients to drive their strategies though organizational redesigns, Target Operating Model designs, the end-to-end implementation of such designs and leverage transformation approach that is feedback driven and co-creative.🧭📊

9. Senior Policy Advisor — Ministry of Health

The Senior Policy Advisor will lead and/or coordinate the development of health policies and related programs to meet ministry goals and strategic objectives and to respond to a range of policy, program and financial/economic impact issues. They will also draft policy papers and briefing documents for senior executives, develop partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders, and provide issues management and advice on handling contentious issues.🩺📄

10. Senior Research Associate (Tech, Innovation & Inclusive Growth) — The Diversity Institute

The Diversity Institute at TMU is seeking a Senior Research Associate to lead and elevate cutting-edge research that drives inclusive innovation and shapes policy and practice in Canada and beyond. In this high-impact role, the Senior Research Associate will join a dynamic research team and lead the design and execution of rigorous, action-oriented studies—often customized to meet the needs of public and private sector partners. The Senior Research Associate will lead the charge in transforming complex data into meaningful insights, crafting reports and strategies that inform national conversations around tech, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.💻🌐🔬