Social Action Manager

Family Service Toronto•Toronto, ON

22d•CA$76,500 - CA$102,102•Hybrid

About The Position

Family Service Toronto (FST) is seeking a Manager, Social Action to drive system-level change for more just and supportive communities at the local, provincial, and national levels. This role focuses on community building, research, public education, and advocacy to influence systems and institutions. The Manager will advance innovation and provide strategic guidance within the Social Action department. The position reports to the Senior Director, Strategy and Innovation/National Director, Campaign 2000. The Manager will help solve public policy challenges related to social and economic issues, foster strategic relationships, track policy trends, provide strategic advice to senior leadership, and coach a team. This is a new position, and responsibilities may evolve.

Requirements

A post-graduate degree in Social Work, Political Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and 5 years of experience in a similar role.
Demonstrated strategic, analytical, innovative mindset to understand issues and problem-solve creatively.
High degree of agility and openness to changing directions, adopting new practices, and learning new things.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment; energetic, collaborative, and willing to take on a variety of assignments.
Demonstrated experience navigating and managing complex internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Strong understanding of the policy landscape, policy development, protocol, and trends in government and the sector.
Established networks in relevant institutions, industry, NGOs, and/or communities as they relate to poverty eradication.
Ability to think and analyze a situation and act strategically to determine the best course of action.
Keen interest in public policy, politics, human rights, and civic engagement.
Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent understanding of the impact of socio/economic issues, including child and family poverty, immigration and settlement, income security and employment, health, and housing.
Experience developing strategies to address these issues.
Ability to work in intersecting frameworks relevant to the project: strengths-based, feminist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, anti-oppression, etc.
Well-developed knowledge of provincial and municipal government social and economic policy, jurisdiction, and government relations.
Experience developing media relations, working with the media, and acting as a media spokesperson.
Successful experience developing and executing communications strategies for campaigns.
Experience working with diverse groups, marginalized people, and using community building models.
Demonstrated experience generating and stewarding successful funding proposals.
Ability to produce high-quality written reports and presentations.
Satisfactory Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.

Responsibilities

Proactively identify issues and risks affecting diverse people living in poverty in Canada and work collaboratively to find community development and policy solutions.
Participate in the development of the organization’s annual operational plan and budget.
Monitor the achievement of the department’s operational plan and report results.
Oversee applications and reports to funders, ensuring high-quality documents that meet requirements and timelines.
Participate in planning for operational business improvements and new organizational projects.
Facilitate engagement, consultation, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders to ensure policy and program approaches are accountable and rooted in the needs of those most impacted.
Utilize policy research tools and analytical techniques to develop and assess options, interpret research findings, provide strategic advice, and develop recommendations.
Synthesize complex information into coherent summaries, communicate concepts clearly, and make cogent recommendations for legislation, regulations, policies, and programs.
Provide leadership and guidance on communications strategies and initiatives to diverse audiences using multiple platforms.
Be knowledgeable on the Canada Revenue Agency’s rules on charitable activities.
Liaise with government, regulatory agencies, and international organizations, building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders.
Strategically identify, develop, and maintain new relationships across sectors.
Coordinate and communicate internally to align messaging and provide colleagues with a thorough understanding of public policy developments.
Provide nimble response and timely support on issues as needed.
Build and sustain excellent relationships with funders.
Work closely with Development Services (DS), Violence Against Women (VAW) Services, and Mental Health Services to help them further FST's goals.
Undertake presentations within FST programs on how staff can utilize social action approaches in their work.
Keep up to date with pertinent legislation, trends, and developments in government policy.
Support high-complexity, high-profile programs or projects critical to poverty eradication.
Advise and guide on strategic communications and government relations, leveraging the credibility of FST and Campaign 2000.
Conduct, coordinate, and manage policy research, policy development, and other activities related to FST social action priority areas.
Manage and meet competing deadlines and produce high-quality policy products.
Oversee the day-to-day operation of the work of Campaign 2000 office.
Articulate commitment to diversity, challenge the status quo, hold others accountable, and make diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority.
Act as a change agent for integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), anti-oppression and social justice principles within FST policies, practices, culture, programs, and activities, and within the sector and community.
Be accountable for the development of and progress toward organizational EDI goals.