Senior Manager, Government & Community Relations

Position Details:

Current Rate of Pay: Min = $67.35/hr, Max = $78.06/hr

Employment type: Permanent Full Time

Hours of work: 35 hrs/week

Work location: Head Office (101 Exchange Avenue, Concord / 5 Shoreham Drive, North York)

Division: CEO’s Office

Business unit: Government and Community Relations

Travel: 25%

Remote Work: Yes

About TRCA:

With more than 60 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides.

TRCA is considered the provincial leader in conserving, restoring, and managing natural resources to advance safe and sustainable development.

To apply to this posting, click on the “Apply” icon. Please submit your resume and cover letter in one PDF or Word file prior to 11:59 pm on January 10, 2025.

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

The Senior Manager, Government and Community Relations (City of Toronto and Durham Region) works as a senior relationship manager communicating with internal and external stakeholders to maximize the impact of TRCA work and create opportunities for TRCA. The Senior Manager leads a small team that collaborates with all parts of the organization to establish coordinated approaches to communications, program delivery, and issues management that consider the interests of board members, elected officials, government partners, and local communities.​ The Senior Manager works closely with municipal and government partners to negotiate and advance work plans, budgets, service delivery agreements, council/board reporting, engagement and communication strategies. 

Major Responsibilities:

     Stakeholder Relations

• Tracks and follows up on communications and requests from elected officials across all levels of government, as well as municipal and provincial staff and agencies and citizens across TRCA’s jurisdiction in close coordination with the CEO and relevant members of the Senior Leadership and Management Teams.
• Develops and executes project proposals, MOUs and SLAs and related correspondence as part of the corporate effort to formalize relationships with stakeholders, as required, by coordinating and leading meetings with municipalities and other partner organizations and agencies and developing resources.
• Leads the preparation of updates on TRCA and partner programs and projects of interest within our jurisdiction for CEO, SLT, Communications, and relevant TRCA staff, Board Members and elected officials, to ensure that they receive relevant information to be shared with their constituencies.
• Serves and represents the Authority on relevant governmental and partner committees, public forums, advisory panels and working groups where a cross-divisional TRCA perspective is needed.
• In partnership with relevant TRCA staff, municipal partners, and other organizations and stakeholders, identifies and cultivates business development/funding opportunities and specific strategies in support of TRCA initiatives, projects and objectives.

Leadership and Leading Staff

• Leads a team in daily / weekly duties, delegating tasks and supporting the development of the people on the team. Ensures business processes are streamlined, documented and cascaded to team members.
• Manages employee performance, team performance and supports a culture of workplace equity and inclusion that celebrates diversity.
• Works closely with Directors, Associate Directors and senior staff in other divisions of TRCA to communicate important considerations on programs and plans raised by elected officials and senior staff of relevant municipal and agency partners.  
• Works collaboratively with the Human Resources team to facilitate the hiring process, onboarding and recommends compensation adjustments based on employee performance.

Financial Management

• Responsible for overseeing the annual budget and supporting overall financial planning processes within the organization; controlling own area budget and supporting the fiscal responsibilities of the organization.

Strategic Partnership Building

• Builds and maintains external stakeholder relationships; working strategically with internal and external stakeholders, utilizing networks to establish and activate connections to achieve organizational goals and to explore new business development opportunities.
• Incumbents may also be assigned other duties as operationally required.

What will you need to succeed:

• University degree in Environmental Studies, Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field.
• Valid Ontario Class G2 driver's license.
• 7+ years of experience in the environmental sector, including project and program management experience and in-depth experience working with various levels of government, including elected officials.
• 3+ years of progressive managerial experience.
• Experience in developing Memorandums of Understanding, Service Level Agreements, project intake proposals and other agreements with a variety of partners and stakeholders.
• Working knowledge and understanding of topics that include watershed ecosystems, urban sustainability, flood mitigation, climate change, greenspace management and/or land use planning.
• Knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation and municipal responsibilities, operations and general practices; well versed in legislation and regulations concerning TRCA’s mandate.
• Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience
• Influential communicator able to facilitate discussions between parties with different perspectives of competing interests and resolve conflicts
• Demonstrated expert at interacting diplomatically with others in public forums
• Effective problem-solving skills and leadership skills, including staff coaching and managing performance and working collaboratively with other divisions
• Experience with local municipal processes, municipal councils, development, and infrastructure planning/delivery would be considered an asset.

What TRCA has to offer you:

As part of a progressive team you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact to preserving and protecting nature, while maintaining a balance between the natural environment and built environment. Working with experts within our field, you will join a team of colleagues that are committed to TRCA’s core values by demonstrating the following behaviours; integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence (icare). 

You will be part of a diverse and inclusive organization that:

• Makes a positive difference in the communities we serve.
• Fosters high performance and collaborative teams.
• Provides continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits program (including Defined Benefit Pension Plan – OMERS/OTPP).
• Pregnancy & Parental Leave Top-Up Program.
• Provides unique TRCA Perks.
• Provides flexible work arrangements.
• Offers potential for career growth and advancement.

While the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) thanks all applicants for their interest, only those under consideration will be contacted for interviews. Please be advised that successful incumbent(s) may be required to undergo a vulnerable sector screening and/or driver’s abstract check as a part of the final step in the hiring process.

TRCA is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and TRCA Policies, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to the TRCA. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Personal information you provide through the TRCA recruitment, selection, and onboarding process is collected under the authority of the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27. Collection of this personal information is necessary for the proper administration of this recruitment process for employment and volunteer positions with TRCA. Personal information is protected from disclosure pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  Any questions regarding this collection activity should be directed to the Manager of Records and Information, 101 Exchange Avenue, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 5R6, (437) 880 2308.