Policy and Public Affairs, Director or Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director/Manager of Policy and Public Affairs plays a leadership role in developing, coordinating, and implementing CIP’s national and international initiatives in support of the Institute’s Strategic Plan. This position will work closely with CIP committees and stakeholders to develop, implement, and advance policy positions. This includes, but is not limited to development and delivery of professional learning opportunities for members, advocacy initiatives, and program development and delivery.

This position supports, but is not limited to, the following initiatives:

• CIP Policy Development and Implementation
• Public Affairs, including Strategic Projects and Partnerships
• Continuous Professional Development

Key Responsibilities

Policy

• Manage policy research, analysis, and program development (including preparation of charts, diagrams, and basic statistical tables)
• Advise the CEO and leadership with strategic advice on policy-related activities and initiatives
• Communicate regularly with key stakeholders to promote and advance CIP initiatives and positions
• Represent CIP on select stakeholder committees/subgroups, or at strategic meetings, forums, or consultation sessions
• Manage the development and implementation of CIP government relations strategies, in support of policy priorities
• Cultivate productive working relationships with key departments and Members of Parliament, especially those playing key roles relating to appropriations and priority policy issues
• Monitor, review, and respond to federal policy and regulatory programs and initiatives, relating to key CIP priorities
• Foster planning and policy collaborations between CIP and Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIAs), as well as with other national allied professions and stakeholders
• Monitor PTIA and key stakeholder (national and international) policy development
• Monitor planning-related academic research and publications for key trends and policy recommendations
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples and exemplify Truth and Reconciliation standards
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with culturally diverse communities nationally
• Review and recommend other public visibility and advocacy roles and responsibilities, as needed

Public Affairs

• Manage the Institute’s outreach activities involving national and international networks, partners, and other stakeholders
• Monitor stakeholder initiatives and engage in strategic partnerships, as required
• Monitor media and social media for key issues
• Proactively propose new and unique ideas and experiences to support CIP’s strategy 
• Maintain a reliable database of key stakeholders
• Represent CIP at select external events
• Support CIP spokespeople (i.e. President) in developing media responses and public presentations
• Work with Communications to create and maintain communication plan for CIP’s policy, program, and CPL initiatives

Project Development and Management

• Identify and advise on strategic opportunities and sources of project funding
• Prepare proposals and applications to secure external funding
• Develop implementation plans for projects and programs, including work plan, schedule, and budgets
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation plan for projects and programs 
• Utilize project management tools to coordinate project work flows and teams (i.e. BaseCamp) 
• Manage project teams, including volunteers, as required
• Maintain CIP’s external consultants database
• Identify and support committee projects, as required and defined by Board mandate letters
• Prepare and administer committee work plans and budgets in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
• Manage committee projects and deliverables to ensure timely completion
• Procure and engage outside contractors and vendors, as required, to provide strategic and operational management services to ensure the successful delivery of CIP’s national and international programs
• Prepare reports/analyses to meet the provisions of project partnership agreements and/or CIP’s internal project monitoring and reporting requirements

Continuous Professional Learning (CPL)

• Manage, coordinate, and administer the members’ training program to support key policy issues
• Identify new educational partners and membership learning initiatives
• Manage and oversee the CIP Professional Learning Hub
• Manage delivery of the annual World Town Planning Day Online Conference

Human Resources (Staff and Committees)

• Assist in implementing and promoting human resource policies and compliance with relevant federal and provincial laws
• Supervise departmental staff and conduct annual performance appraisals against performance targets aligned with the goals/objectives of the CIP Strategic Plan
• Participate in management meetings and organizational leadership initiatives
• Act as key staff lead on select committees
• Manage volunteers and ensure their compliance with CIP policies, professional code of ethics, and provincial and federal legislation and laws
• Support volunteer recognition
• Provide orientation and ongoing guidance for select volunteer committees and their respective working groups
• Chair and ensure timely and effective administrative support for quarterly All Chairs meetings
• Ensure timely and thorough committee reporting to CEO and Board of Directors

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and background:

Required

• Related university degree (Masters level preferred)
• Five (5) years relevant work experience
• Excellent knowledge of planning-related issues
• Experience in public policy development
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Excellent oral skills in English and French
• Strong written skills in English (French, an asset)
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills in developing professional relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and members
• A high degree of computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, webinar systems)
• Flexibility in work scheduling, as occasional travel and weekend work is required (including CIP annual conference)

Preferred

• Experience in a non-for-profit, professional association environment
• Experience working with and managing volunteers, consultants/suppliers, and stakeholders
• Experience supervising staff
• Registered Professional Planner designation (or equivalent)

Competencies

• Excellent judgment and decision-making abilities on communications and policy issues
• Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and ability to prioritize and organize several assignments at once
• Time and project management skills
• Commitment to member satisfaction, with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop appropriate solutions and responses that continue to build rapport and trust
• Strong consensus-building, consultation, and negotiation skills
• Effective and diplomatic communication with individuals and groups through presentations, discussions, remarks, and written and verbal communications
• Self-motivated, with ability to work independently but equally contributing in a team environment
• Knowledge of the planning profession and its practice
• Knowledge of government decision-making, as well as federal policy-setting and legislative processes in Canada
• Demonstrated success in writing proposals and obtaining government/partnership funding
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, prioritize issues, and draft organizational policies, positions, and strategies
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and partners
• Ability to travel and attend evening or weekend work to attend meetings, conferences, and other professional functions 
• Physical strength – lifting 30+ lbs and the ability to stand long hours (workshops and trade shows)
• Willing to pursue training and develop new skills to meet changing workplace demands

Hours of Work

The hours of work are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, though some flexibility is available. There may be a requirement to travel within Canada to attend meetings and conferences (including the CIP national conference). The incumbent may be asked to work overtime from time to time. 

HOW TO APPLY: Please send resume and cover letter to vbroadfoot@cip-icu. CIP is looking to fill this position ASAP, and will assess applications as they are received. Accordingly, there is no closing date for this posting. The application process for this posting will close when we have received a sufficient number of qualified applicants. Please include your salary expectations.

The CIP national office is located on traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people. CIP extends sincere appreciation for the opportunity to work and learn on this territory in mutual respect and gratitude.

CIP is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. CIP welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.