Vice President, Public Policy

Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations CPA Ontario is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing CPAs and accounting firms in Ontario. It is a regulator, educator, services provider, advocate and thought leader. CPA Ontario protects the public interest by ensuring its more than 105,000 members and 19,000 students meet the highest standards of integrity and expertise. They help them stay ahead of global market trends and abreast of regulatory change and believe that success happens when both business and society benefit. CPAs represent a globally recognized, premium designation, and Chartered Professional Accountants are valued by organizations in all industries for their financial expertise, strategic thinking, management skills, global perspectives, and leadership. The critical work CPA Ontario does protects the public, advances the profession and enables CPAs to lead business and society forward in the province and across the country. CPA Ontario delivers on significant responsibilities that the provincial government has entrusted to it, including: Governing and regulating CPAs and accounting firms in Ontario which includes compliance, enforcement and disciplinary processes. Educating and assessing CPA students by delivering a world-class professional education program. Ensuring the CPA pipeline meets market demands through recruitment activities within post-secondary institutions and high schools, and by supporting new entrants to Canada. Granting CPA designations and public accounting licences while maintaining the rigour and high standards that set the profession apart. Enhancing the skill and knowledge of CPAs through professional development and thought leadership. Supporting standard setting within Canada and at the international level. Enabling mobility across Canada and internationally. Working with our provincial, territorial and Bermudian CPA counterparts to facilitate common entry to the profession and the portability of the designation. CPA Ontario’s strategic priorities include: Protecting the public interest by ensuring our members, students and employees maintain the highest standards of integrity. Advancing the profession by developing CPAs who can lead in an ever-evolving world. Building a robust pipeline of high calibre individuals. Creating a strong brand and demand for CPAs. Cultivating an environment that enables our people to thrive together. As an organization, its team members are guided by a set of values that shape the way they work and the decisions that they make: We act with integrity: We always do the right thing and take accountability for our decisions and work. We are thoughtful: We are considerate in the way we make decisions and how we engage with the public, employers, our members, students and colleagues. We work together: We are a supportive and inclusive team and empower each other to achieve our personal and professional goals. We make an impact: We strive to make a meaningful difference to our stakeholders and the profession, delivering results with excellence. We are forward-thinking: We are curious, innovative and data-driven, and ensure our work benefits business and society in the long-term. As a professional body, CPA Ontario is governed by a volunteer Council comprised of 12 elected CPA Ontario members and four appointed public representatives, and an executive management team responsible for strategy and the day-to-day operations. The Opportunity Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, the Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations manages a Government Relations Manager and is a member of the senior leadership team. The VP is responsible for developing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with key officials in the Ontario and federal governments, and other provincial CPA bodies while developing, leading and managing CPA Ontario’s public policy program. The VP will build and execute government relations strategies as well as manage the development of position papers and legislative initiatives in areas of public policy that both protect the public and are relevant to the profession. The VP will facilitate open, effective communication within the organization and with government and key stakeholders to maintain and elevate both the organization and the profession ensuring that CPA Ontario is the “go-to” organization for policy makers, media, members and the public. The position is based at the CPA Ontario office in Toronto, and current in-office policy is three days per week. Key Responsibilities Develop, maintain and engage effective, trusted working relationships with elected and non-elected government officials to support CPA Ontario’s regulation of the accounting profession to protect the public. Monitor legislation, regulation, and emerging issues, domestically and internationally, and counsel CPA Ontario’s leadership team and other areas of the business on material developments or issues in the environment that impact the profession. Engage members and other stakeholders in developing and managing public policy positions and programs that protect the public, advance the profession, and improve Ontario and Canada’s economic climate. Develop multi-faceted strategies and campaigns to advance CPA Ontario’s government relations priorities. Develop briefing documents to present to government officials and members, as well as thought leadership and policy position documents that advance the profession’s stature and contribute to sound public policy. Ideal Candidate Senior leadership experience in government relations and public policy with regulator and/or industry/professional association sector experience. Familiarity with, or the ability to quickly learn, the complex intricacies of the accounting profession, including accounting regulations, professional standards, and economic policy. Experience in policy development, legislative analysis, and regulatory affairs, and the ability to influence policy spanning multiple issue areas, including tax policy. Experience leading and integrating all facets of government relations including building relationships with key government/regulatory officials and the development of public policy positions and programs. Strong personal integrity with adherence to quality and professionalism to ensure consistent high standards. Experienced advisor to senior decision-makers regarding policy issues and media relations. Intellectually curious with strong critical thinking and analytical skills, and the ability to effectively assess opportunities and threats, prioritize focus, and anticipate developments, emerging trends, and risks. Exceptional interpersonal skills to build and sustain strong, collaborative relationships with both external stakeholders (members, key stakeholders, government and industry partners) and internal stakeholders (departments, leadership team, volunteer Council). Leads through change and thrives in fast-paced environments with positive impact. Experience managing teams and cross-functional collaboration. Excellent communications, writing and presentation skills; a track record of creating compelling narratives and submissions. A genuine passion for protecting the public interest and ensuring the profession’s standards and code of conduct. Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and learning through relevant education, course work or training programs. CPA Ontario recognizes the value in differences and prioritizes inclusivity to bring together the best talent to protect the public, advance the profession and enable CPAs to lead business and society forward. Should you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the hiring process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team. Contact Information If of interest, please submit your resume through LinkedIn, or you may forward your cover letter and resume to Chris Sawyer, Senior Consultant, at chris.sawyer@lhhknightsbridge.com . #J-18808-Ljbffr