Corporate Policy Specialist

Position Details

• Business Unit: Office of the Deputy CAO
• Division: Office of the DCAO
• Worksite: Regional Headquarters - Thorold
• Standard Hours: 35.00 / week
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Location: Hybrid

Job Summary

Salary under Review

Reporting to the Associate Director Strategic Initiatives, the Corporate Policy Specialist is responsible for leading the delivery of a comprehensive corporate policy framework and program, while providing policy expertise, conducting research, consultation, analysis, and interpretation of trends and opportunities and recommending viable policy options to address issues. In addition, this role drives a culture of performance and continuous improvement through effective policy development, implementation and compliance follow-through.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Public Policy/Administration, Business, Communications, Political Science, or related discipline. An equivalent combination of education, experience and qualifications may be considered.
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a policy research, analysis, and development role preferably in a public sector environment.
• Experience understanding and interpreting provincial and municipal legislation.
• Knowledge of government decision making processes, corporate policies, bylaws, and relevant legislation, such as but not limited to Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code and Occupational Health & Safety Act, AODA, and a general understanding of issues impacting local government.
• Proven ability to identify and evaluate implications of potential policy changes, deliver best practices in policy development and implementation (articulation, training and change management) to ensure compliance.
• Experience providing expert evidence-based strategic policy recommendations, development of policy frameworks and policy maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of research methodologies, environmental and jurisdictional scanning, modeling and forecasting.
• Well-developed oral/written communication skills, advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including conflict resolution and facilitation skills.
• Proficient in a variety of computer platforms, including MS Office, SharePoint, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, internet/intranet technologies, and various databases.
• Formal training in project management, process redesign, quality improvement or program evaluation preferred.

Knowledge

Responsibilities

Responsible for the development, integration and continuous improvement of the corporate policy framework (30% of time)

• Develops, maintains and continuously improves the Corporate Policy Framework to ensure it remains current, operationally effective and aligned with legislation, corporate priorities and emerging best practices.
• Conducts and coordinates policy reviews, regularly evaluating corporate policies to ensure compliance with the Framework and legislative requirements, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensures alignment with Corporate mission, vision and values, overseeing that the Corporate Policy Program supports strong organizational culture, strategic direction and innovation, reinforcing corporate performance outcomes.
• Leads the corporate communication of changes to the Corporate Policy Manual, ensuring clarity for departments, while maintaining accurate document retention and accessible policy records.
• Establishes mechanisms for policy tracking and reporting, ensuring policies and compliance measures are documented, monitored and reported using evidence-based practices that support decision making by Council and the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT).

Delivers integrated policy analysis and strategic consultation that support the development of new and updated policies that align with and strengthen the Corporate Policy Program. (30% of time)

• Advises and consults with senior leaders and departments on the development of new and updated policies that strengthen the Corporate Policy Program and advance organizational priorities.
• Applies policy expertise to assist invested parties identify gaps, guide analysis and oversee the development of adaptive corporate policies that improve performance and service delivery.
• Coordinates and oversees the consultation process with internal and external invested parties on complex policy development that considers benefits, risks, impacts, funding and legislative requirements.
• Provides guidance and strategic policy recommendations that assists policy stakeholders resolve program and service challenges, enabling positive outcomes and alignment with corporate goals.

Manages relationships with key internal and external invested parties to ensure alignment, trust and collaboration (20% of time)

• Builds effective and strong working relationships and trust with a broad range of invested parties to gather insights and feedback to inform continuous improvement of the Corporate Policy Program...