SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY CONSULTANT

• Job ID: 60241
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: Housing Secretariat, Housing Policy & Strategy
• Work Location: 55 John St. Metro Hall
• Job Type & Duration: 1 Permanent Vacancy
• Salary: $113,683- $155,216
• Shift Information: Monday - Friday, 35 Hours Per Week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 10-Oct-2025 to 27-Oct-2025
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Job Summary

Are you passionate about housing policy and contributing to driving equitable outcomes for all Torontonians? Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and programs that strengthen the housing system, and work to ensure everyone has an affordable, safe, and secure place to call home? If so, we invite you to apply to this exciting opportunity with the City's Housing Secretariat Division.

Reporting to Managers within the Housing Policy and Strategy Section of the Housing Secretariat, the Senior Strategic Policy Consultants provide strategic advice, make recommendations, and lead the development and implementation of complex, multi-stakeholder programs and initiatives across the housing continuum, including developing supportive, affordable, social and market rental housing, and advancing strategies to support renters and community housing providers. Currently, the Housing Policy and Strategy team is looking for one candidate with expertise and experience in developing public and stakeholder engagement strategies, and in financial modeling and analysis related to housing development.

Major Responsibilities

• Leads the research, planning and implementation of public and stakeholder consultations, financial modeling and analysis, and drafting of strategic housing policies, programs and development initiatives.
• Develops strategic and effective relations with a variety of stakeholders, including with Indigenous partners, government stakeholders and elected officials (including municipal and regional partners), non-profit and private development partners including financial institutions, and people with lived experience of housing instability and homelessness.
• Provides professional and objective strategic policy and program advice to the Housing Secretariat's senior management team to address current and emerging trends and gaps in the housing system, in developing new housing supply, protecting and preserving existing housing stock and assisting renters, in line with direction from City Council, other levels of government, corporate policies and practices, and applicable legislation.
• Leads the development and implementation of housing development programs including developing funding arrangements, real estate transaction arrangements, procurement processes, development review processes, etc.
• Leads multi-divisional and multi-sectoral project teams by establishing strong governance structures including representative steering groups, working groups and committees, applying sound project management methodologies including full work plans, timelines, communications plans and deliverables, reports on progress, tracks decisions, and provides advice and analysis of implications of changes to project plans.
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality, organizational performance, and continuous learning, while integrating actions to support the City's commitment to truth, justice, and reconciliation and confronting anti-Black racism.
• Ensures integrated and consistent communications, issues management, and responses to existing and emerging issues.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to Committees of Council, community, and other stakeholder groups.
• Develops analysis and recommendations on legislative changes related to affordable housing, including renter issues, and recommends policies for the City and other levels of government.

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in public policy, urban planning, communications, real estate development and/or finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or related experience.
2. Considerable experience in managing large and complex projects, particularly developing and implementing strategies for stakeholder and public engagement initiatives related to housing and homelessness, within a public, not-for-profit or private sector organization.
3. Considerable experience in housing market analysis, project feasibility assessment and funding strategy development, in fields related to real estate development.
4. Experience supervising, motivating, and training staff, in an effort to enable a high-performing and diverse team, through inclusion and continuous improvement.
5. Experience in leading public meetings with a focus on using conflict resolution and mediation techniques to navigate polarized views will be an asset.
6. Experience in developing policy measurement and reporting strategies and processes for government strategies will be an asset.
7. An excellent ability to develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders in the context of complex intergovernmental and/or stakeholder relations.
8. Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and other financial modeling software related to organizing, analyzing and reporting data for management decision making will be an asset.
9. Knowledge of the City's legislative framework and decision-making processes.
10. Highly developed communications skills, both verbally and in writing, including reports, presentations, and policy briefs
11. Highly developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated proficiency in conflict resolution in complex, multi-stakeholder situations.
12. An ability to advance the equitable outcomes of groups experiencing housing instability and discrimination, including Indigenous people, Black people, persons with disabilities, seniors, 2SLGBTQ+ people, women, and others.
13. An ability to work with front-line and sector staff and people with lived experience of housing instability or homelessness in a collaborative manner, with the goal of designing effective policies and programs.
14. An ability to deal with confidential materials and matters and implement effective privacy and information management systems.
15. A deep understanding of a rights-based approach to housing and issues related to housing data, policy, programs, and development, as well as the services provided by Housing Secretariat.
16. Strong customer service skills working with clients, service providers, the general public and/or staff to address service inquiries, requests and/or complaints.

Notes:

• Applicants are required to demonstrate in their resume that their qualifications match those specified in the job posting.

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.