Director, Policy

**PROFILE** The Public Policy Forum is seeking a broadly inquisitive person with a passion for public policy to oversee PPF’s policy, research and engagement activities in support of the organization’s mission to improve public outcomes through better policy. The Director of Policy plans, coordinates and undertakes research and engagement activities by building on PPF’s work and seeking out opportunities to review or refresh Canadian public policy thinking at the federal or provincial level. **The Organization** The Public Policy Forum is a 35-year-old non-profit organization and charity that works with all orders of government, particularly the public service, as well as the private sector, trade unions, post-secondary institutions, foundations, NGOs and Indigenous groups to improve policy outcomes for Canadians. As a non-partisan, member-based organization, we work from “inclusion to conclusion," by convening discussions of emerging and established thinkers, doers and deciders on fundamental policy issues (inclusion) and by identifying fresh policy options and paths forward (conclusion). The Public Policy Forum researches and convenes around topical public policy challenges as well as celebrating great contributions to policy and public service at our testimonial dinners. We believe policy choices and execution directly impact the quality of life of Canadians. Our motto is Good Policy, Better Canada. **MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES** **Scope and objectives of position** The Public Policy Forum conducts research and engagement activities on a wide variety of public policy issues of relevance to Canadians. A primary task of the Director is to coordinate the policy and programming activities of PPF staff in order to identify gaps in the current federal or provincial policy environment that lead to opportunities for new projects, and to enable PPF to continue to build areas of depth. Working closely with the Vice President of Strategic Engagement, the Director of Policy also has a responsibility to integrate policy areas of interest and importance for our roughly 200 members into the work of PPF. **The major activities of the Director are as follows**: **Research and Policy Analysis** - In conjunction with the VP of Policy, as well as the President & CEO, and in consultation with the policy team, plan PPF’s research and engagement activities, ensuring the projects fulfill PPF’s goal to improve policy outcomes for Canadians; - Provide oversight and guidance on reports, briefs, submissions and letters and ensure they are of consistent high quality; - Through readings and consultations with colleagues, members and key contacts in government and elsewhere, ensure the ongoing monitoring of trends and issues in the areas of priority concern for the Public Policy Forum; identify and bring to the attention of the Vice President of Policy, emerging issues requiring further attention; and - Collaborate with Membership and Communications teams, as required, to ensure the greatest impact for PPF’s research publications. **Outreach and project development** - Collaborate with external partners in order to properly develop PPF’s projects and initiatives; - Build broad networks reaching into the various communities with a public policy interest; - Liaise with Foundations, private and public sector organizations and other external partners to attract funding to key PPF initiatives. - Represent the Public Policy Forum at external events, as appropriate; - Look for opportunities for PPF to participate in conferences, presentations, and/or briefings on priority and timely issues, both at the national and provincial levels; and, - Prepare and deliver presentations and briefings to conferences, membership meetings, and external parties as requested. **Management and Supervisory** - Assign project work to project leads/associates, ensuring that staff capabilities and expertise are effectively used, work plans carried out and the results of the work are of consistent high quality; - Mentor the research team and ensure its work is of high quality; - Identify new approaches and resources for fulfilling our mission and share them with the team, as appropriate; - Administer the performance appraisal process of project managers; - Ensure professional development of the staff, as appropriate; - Achieve budget targets; and - Participate as an active member of the PPF team. **EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE** - Policy experience on issues related to productivity, technology and/or democracy would be an asset; - A graduate degree and a minimum of 6-10 years of relevant experience in a research or policy environment; - Exceptional interpersonal and inclusive skills and ability to work in a dynamic team environment; - High degree of initiative, discretion and insight; - Ability to help support the conception, development and implementation of multi-stakeholder, non-partisan dialogue projects; - Proven experience in delivering compl