Job Description

Organization Summary:

For more than 100 years, AdvantAge Ontario has been the voice of not-for-profit seniors’ care in Ontario. We represent more than 500 providers of long-term care, seniors’ housing, supportive housing and community service agencies, including 98 per cent of all municipal long-term care homes and 83 per cent of all not-for-profit long-term care homes.  

We are focused on the important work that members do and on giving them the supports and resources they need including advocacy, education, communications, and member programs and services.

Organization Culture:

AdvantAge Ontario is a collaborative organization that supports its members, staff and community with a shared purpose.  We are nimble and responsive, and we are personable, professional and empathetic.

Organization Values:

• Inclusion and diversity – we strive to provide a workplace that recognizes diversity and is safe and inclusive.
• Respect – we show respect by demonstrating trust and integrity in all interactions.
• Empathy – we are empathetic and kind to our members, colleagues and ourselves.
• Fairness – we are fair and equitable in all we do.
• Passion – we have a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Position Summary:

The Director, Public Policy reports directly to the Vice President, Policy and is responsible for supporting members through policy analysis, knowledge translation, advocacy and education in various areas of public policy related to seniors’ issues, primarily long-term care, housing and community support services.  The Director, Public Policy will demonstrate the culture of AdvantAge Ontario and demonstrate the values of the organization in all interactions and work.  The role oversees the work of member advisory groups, represents the Association at various forums, is responsible for developing the Association’s formal submissions to government, and formulating public policy-related educational sessions. In addition, as a member of the senior management team, the Director, Public Policy contributes to organization-wide discussions, planning, and decision making.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development of the Association’s policy agenda and strategies in long term care and senior’s housing in consultation with the senior management team.

• Lead direct reports by being a role model of AdvantAge’s culture and values in all work and interactions.

• Lead long-term care and housing policy and regulatory/legislative review initiatives, develop and monitor an annual work plan and oversee policy development in these areas.
• Supports the development of  federal and provincial advocacy strategies and key messages and advocates on behalf of members.
• Lead the development of formal submissions to government, briefing notes, papers, and other materials.
• Contribute to the development of the association’s pre-budget submission, working with retained GR consultants.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders including members and external stakeholders to influence policy development and represent the sector.
• Attend government/stakeholder meetings as a representative and advocate of AdvantAge Ontario members.
• Lead and/or oversees staff leadership of policy-related member advisory committees.
• Responsible for liaison with 9 association regions.
• Monitor and analyzes members’ informational needs to support development of member educational forums, workshops, webinars and convention sessions and collaborates with the Education department to plan and deliver them.
• Responsible for policy exchange and communities of practice.
• Attend and present at professional and academic conferences to gain current information and expertise to promote AdvantAge Ontario’s work and to network.
• Contribute to various communications to members in portfolio areas.
• Oversees the development of the Executive Report and bulletins required as needed.
• Direct staff activities, ensuring ongoing productivity and work quality, monitoring workloads, performance and adherence to policies and standards, managing staff development, ensuring the availability of coaching and training opportunities.
• Participate in strategic planning process and development and implementation of annual operating plan.
• Support annual budget and reporting cycle in portfolio areas.
• In collaboration with other departments, provide supports for members as needed.
• Contributes to discussions, planning, continuous improvement, and decisions with regard to staff and organizational issues, along-side other Directors, VP, the CEO, COO and Managers were appropriate.

 Supervisory Responsibility 

• The Director, Public Policy has policy analysts, and may have an administrative assistant,  students or interns and volunteers reporting directly or indirectly (e.g., as a shared resource) to them.
• The Director, Public Policy is responsible for assigning tasks to staff, ensuring tasks are completed effectively and meeting stated timelines.

 Additional Responsibilities

• Work flexible hours to accommodate services and activities.
• Represent the Association on committees and/or at meetings.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Attend meetings off site as required.
• Require registration on the Ontario Lobbyists Registry.

 Travel:

• The role is hybrid with primarily remote work.
• All staff are periodically required to attend in-person meetings at the Association office.
• Travel to regional meetings across the province and occasional offsite team development sessions is required.
• Travel to other offsite locations for meetings with government and stakeholders and work is a normal requirement of this role.

 Skills & Competencies: 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent leadership skills; ability to manage employees, stakeholders and lead committees and meetings
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated advocacy skills and expert knowledge of the political process in Ontario.
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Research analysis and knowledge translation
• Project management
• Expert writing skills, for varied audiences
• Extensive experience in preparation of policy submissions to government
• Excellent skills in speaking/presenting
• Superior organizational skills
• Flexible and adaptable to changing and competing priorities and demands
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, risks, and timelines effectively
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Must register as a lobbyist

 Location:

This is primarily a remote role, with some in person meetings at head office and elsewhere in Ontario as required.  AdvantAge Ontario reserves the right to change to on site work at the Association’s head office at any time.

The Association is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to race, nation or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and childbearing), sexual orientation, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability or pardoned criminal convictions, or any other category protected by law.

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Association shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Other:

Employment Type: Full-Time

Industry: Long-Term Care/Seniors’ Care, Not-For-Profit

Location: Concord (Hybrid – remote, office and offsite)

To Apply:

Please send your resume with a cover letter to:

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Workplace Awards:

• 2025 Great Place to Work
• 2025 Best Workplaces Led by Women
• 2025  Best Workplaces in Government & Social Services
• 2024 Diversio DEI Certified Workplace
• 2024 WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program

Job Tags

Similar Jobs