MANAGER STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

• Job ID: 56488
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: Deputy City Manager CSS Office,
• Work Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. West
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent Vacancy
• Salary: $123,833.00-$170,184.00, TM5151 and wage grade 8
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Qualified List will be established to fill permanent and/or temporary positions.
• Number of Positions Open: 1 
• Posting Period: 20-MAY-2025 to 03-JUN-2025 
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The Office of the Deputy City Manager, Community Development and Social Services, is seeking a strategic, politically astute, analytical and solutions-oriented policy leader for the role of Manager, Strategic Initiatives. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Policy & Programs, this position offers a unique opportunity for a self-starter and problem-solver with a strategic mindset and exceptional judgement to drive results on a fast-paced, strategic, and collaborative team.

Equally important, you are an inclusive leader and professional who enjoys working with internal and external stakeholders as a partner, and are committed to contributing to a supportive, productive and collaborative work environment.

The Community Development and Social Services (CDSS) service area focusses on core social service programs and community development work. It includes 5 divisions: Children’s Services, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Social Development, Toronto Employment and Social Services and the Indigenous Affairs Office.

This role is responsible for overseeing and advancing priority projects, managing the agenda forecast for the service area, ensuring alignment with corporate and strategic objectives, and fostering collaboration across divisions and senior leadership. The Manager will coordinate cross-divisional initiatives, provide guidance and leadership to project teams, and champion a cohesive, city-wide approach to effective program delivery and innovation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional who excels at driving strategic priorities, advancing high-impact projects, and building strong collaborative relationships across a complex municipal environment.

What can you expect to do?

Policy and program analysis and strategic issues management will be at the heart of your role as Manager, Strategic Initiatives with a strong emphasis on City Council and Committee activities. You will also  provide high-level advice on the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex, cross-divisional strategies that align with the City’s goals.

As a policy professional with a hands-on approach, you will work with and on behalf of the Deputy City Manager and Director, Strategic Policy & Programs, to lead, coordinate and advise on the development of key reports to City Council and its Committees. As part of this work, you will strategically monitor Council and Committee meetings for opportunities and impacts for the service area.

Informed by your partnerships with staff in various divisions, other Deputy City Managers’ Offices and the City Manager’s Office, the Deputy City Manager’s Office will rely on your knowledge and insight to manage the preparation, briefing and strategic alignment on staff reports and strategic briefing materials from the Community Development and Social Services area, and to proactively identify key connections to the service area’s work. You will also represent Community Development and Social Services to brief the City’s Senior Leadership Team on a regular basis on upcoming reports deemed high-profile, significant and/or strategic.

Working closely with the Director, you will provide strategic advice, issues management,  and recommendations to address complex policy problems, develop and review strategic briefing materials and presentations for executive, political and public audiences, and conduct research and analysis on key matters of interest of interest to the Deputy City Manager and Director to inform decision-making.

In particular as a Manager, Strategic Initiatives you will be expected to:

• Lead projects to research, develop and recommend strategic policy options on complex program, policy and operational issues to achieve service area and City priorities, considering key political, social and economic issues.
• Provide research and analysis on matters such as previous Council direction and progress, initiatives by other orders of government, jurisdictions and public and private sector organizations, and emerging policy areas.
• Anticipate high-profile issues in the media or political domain and liaise with a variety of internal stakeholders to facilitate resolution, ensure implementation of high-priority initiatives and formulate appropriate responses, including media and other external/internal inquiries.
• Review and provide advice on all reports to City Council and Committees from Deputy City Manager, Community Development and Social Services, and key reports from the divisions in Community Development and Social Services and other service areas.
• Provide strategic advice and agenda forecasting for Council and Committee meetings, ensuring the Deputy City Manager is fully briefed on matters before Council in a timely and accurate manner, and monitoring Council and Committee meetings to identify and assess emerging direction, opportunities for influence, and alignment with other policy/strategic initiatives.
• Lead the Service Area’s agenda management and forecasting process, including chairing a table of leads across Community Development and Social Services, managing Service Area input into the City-wide Agenda Forecasting System, proactively advising divisions on reporting requirements and timelines based on Council directions, and collaborating with other Deputy City Manager’s Offices to brief members of the City’s Senior Leadership Team on key reports.
• Develop performance monitoring frameworks, dashboards, and reports to for review of the CDSS senior management team.
• Lead interdivisional collaboration to advance Council direction and address recommendations from the City’s Accountability Officers, including the Auditor General and Ombudsman Toronto.
• Prepare and present reports, briefing notes, presentations and issues analysis for executive, political and public audiences.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of current corporate and Service Area issues and initiatives, and draft reports and responses on issues, projects, escalated complaints and related matters.
• Manage assigned projects, ensuing effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning.
• Represent the Service Area and divisional interests at key meetings and participate on City-wide or corporate Committees and Task Forces.
• Provide liaison between the Deputy City Manager’s Office and Members of Council and their staff as required.

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education that supports broad and strategic thinking, policy development and analysis, communications, issues resolution, relationship building and stakeholder management  (e.g., Public Policy/Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Business Administration, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Considerable experience in a large public sector organization, combined with in-depth knowledge of government decision-making processes.
3. Knowledge of Council and Committee proceedings, current corporate policies, programs, issues and initiatives is considered an asset.
4. Progressive years of experience in policy research, analysis and development to evaluate implications of potential policy changes, anticipate stakeholder reaction and make recommendations to mitigate potential risks.
5. People leadership experience considered an asset, as a foundation for mentoring staff and working across the service area to lead meetings, working groups and collaborate on plans and solutions.
6. Proven political acumen and exceptional judgement and insight.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate as a fully accountable program leader, including effective decision-making skills and a track record of innovation and result-oriented leadership.
8. Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive matters and use discretion to navigate and address complex matters.
9. Considerable experience preparing reports, strategic briefing materials and presentations on various topics.
10. Considerable experience managing issues and leading projects or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, including the ability to negotiate and achieve consensus among parties with different objectives.
11. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build effective and strong working relationships and trust with a broad range of stakeholders, including other service areas, politicians and their staff, other orders of government and external organizations.
12. Excellent presentation skills to conduct briefings for senior executives and stakeholders.
13. Ability to identify, coordinate and manage competing priorities, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.