Policy Development Manager
Your political acumen, judgement and insight, as much as your expertise in developing policy, leading teams and managing complex projects, will enable you to play a key role as Manager, Policy Development in the economic, cultural and fiscal well-being of the City of Toronto.
Reporting to the Director, Program Support, Economic Development & Culture, you will provide leadership in the development of economic and cultural policies, as well as recommendations to City Council and the City Manager in support of economic, cultural and fiscal sustainability of the City. This will be done through the development of long-term strategies and enacting policies that articulate priorities, direct investments and guide activities of both public and private sector stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Your primary responsibilities as a Policy Development Manager will be varied. Specifically, you will:
- Develop and implement detailed plans and recommend policies regarding program-specific requirements.
- Manage, motivate and train Unit staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning, and encouraging innovation in others.
- Supervise the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff, including scheduling, assigning and reviewing work, authorizing and controlling vacation and overtime requests, monitoring and evaluating staff performance, approving salary increments and recommending disciplinary action when necessary.
- Develop, recommend and administer the annual budget for the Unit, and ensure that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
- Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within the Unit, evaluating program delivery on an ongoing basis in consultation with staff, senior management, service users and partners, and implementing and managing change that will improve effectiveness and efficiency.
- Build positive relationships with senior representatives outside the Corporation, in other City divisions and with Councillors, as required, to develop new partnership opportunities, leverage resources and build support for carrying out the mandate.
- Ensure that excellent customer service is provided to both internal and external customers.
- Develop and manage requests for proposals in accordance with the City's policies and procedures, and manage evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers.
- Develop and implement detailed project plans and link with appropriate external partners and management regarding program-specific requirements, ensuring program support for the project.
- Work with Section Directors to improve the competitive position of the City of Toronto, by establishing and strengthening partnerships with business, labour, academia, community, arts, culture and heritage communities and officials from other areas of government, in order to obtain relevant policy information.
- Provide advice to Council, senior management and other clients to facilitate the development of corporate strategy on relevant issues.
- Contribute to the cultural, heritage and economic and fiscal sustainability of the City through the development of long-term strategies, such as Collaborating for Competitiveness and Creative Capital Gains, that articulate priorities, direct investments, and guide activities of both public and private sector stakeholders.
- Support divisional and corporate strategic initiatives, establish and communicate positions on economic and cultural planning and research issues related to the City, and support City policy development and advocacy efforts.
- Influence and inform policy and program development related to the delivery of the City’s economic and cultural development, by initiating, managing and directing the design, development and implementation of a wide range of consultation and analysis activities, and preparing reports and recommendations for Council to consider.
- Represent the Division at relevant inter-divisional, corporate, intergovernmental and outside groups involved with setting economic and cultural policies that impact the City of Toronto.
- Identify emerging issues, opportunities and challenges, and develop recommendations on a wide range of issues, including strategic infrastructure, labour force development, cultural challenges, etc.
- Communicate economic and cultural analysis and policy evaluations to Council, the media, industry and investors through a variety of means and forums, including conferences, seminars, workshops, web-based media, presentations, small group discussions, preparation or dissemination of special reports, input to internal and external committees and workgroups, and regular newsletters, annual reports and dashboards.
- Influence provincial and federal government legislation, regulations, policy and programs to advance the City’s economic, cultural and heritage competitive position, by effectively presenting and communicating strategic and relevant policy insights to senior-level interests.
- Represent the Division at meetings with members of the public, Council, City staff, other levels of government, agencies and other public bodies, internal and external clients and consultants.
- Prepare reports for City Council and Committees.
- Respond to media inquiries on the performance of Toronto’s economic and cultural conditions.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
Your application for the role of Manager, Policy Development must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
- Extensive experience in strategic planning, policy analysis and program evaluation in the area of economic development and/or arts and culture or relevant equivalent areas.
- Extensive level of experience in project leadership while handling multi-faceted project responsibilities and meeting established deadlines.
- Considerable experience in policy and program design, analysis and implementation.
- Considerable experience in leading processes and developing partnerships in complex political environments.
- Post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function combined with relevant management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to liaise effectively with senior staff, Members of Council, other government representatives and members of the public.
- Knowledge of municipal governance structures, services and programs, and municipal relationships to other levels of government and the community.
- A superior degree of conceptual ability with the capacity to understand complex operating and policy issues, evaluation frameworks, program interrelationships and the potential consequences of intended policy action.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Political acumen, judgement and insight.
- Broad knowledge of techniques and practices used in effective operational policy research and evaluations.
- Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare effective materials and represent the Corporation with senior representatives from the community and other levels of government, both elected and staff.
- Knowledge of legislation, policy and current programs relevant to provision of human services in the City.
- Ability to manage, coordinate and motivate professional staff.
- Ability to manage and train staff and staff teams effectively.
- Ability to develop and administer budgets to ensure Unit fiscal accountability and the effective use of resources.
- Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health and Safety.
Salary Range: $103,267 - $121,339 per year
Work for the City you love
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities, we are a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture, and are proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. Join the award-winning Toronto Public Service as Manager, Policy Development within our Economic Development & Culture Division.
How to Apply:
For more information on this and other opportunities with the City of Toronto, visit us online at www.toronto.ca/jobs. To apply online, submit your resume, quoting File #2032431 X, by October 14, 2014.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the City of Toronto's Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.
Committed to employment equity, the City of Toronto encourages applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, members of visible minority groups and women. We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
