Manager, Corporate Affairs, Policy

About Us
The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.
Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.
About the Role
We're seeking an exceptional Manager, Corporate Affairs, Policy & Government Relations to join our team. Reporting into the Director of Corporate Affairs, Policy & Government Relations, the Manager, Corporate Affairs, Policy & Government Relations will be responsible for leading the development of strategic policy advice to the Board of Directors and Ontario Government, helping operational teams across the agency maneuver a complex regulatory landscape, and supporting the organization’s day-to-day relationship with public sector partners, including the Canadian Cannabis Jurisdictional Leadership, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and Health Canada.
This role will also work collaboratively across the OCS to support the agency’s relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Finance, oversee and lead the development of the Annual Report and Business Plan, and work with the Strategic Planning team to develop tools and approaches that advance and measure progress against the strategic plan.
About Your Day
- Provide policy development, market analysis and strategic advice to the Ontario Government and OCS Senior Leadership to guide informed decision-making and make recommendations (e.g., strategic, regulatory, legislative) to support mandate / government objectives for sector.
- Provide advice to operational teams and senior management to support ongoing business initiatives and priorities consistent with the mandate of the OCS, broader provincial priorities, and applicable law.
- Monitor and track the impact of federal and provincial legislation, regulations and policies on the OCS and the cannabis marketplace (i.e., assess risk and impact to agency operations)
- Manage team to develop factual, data-driven policy analysis and strategic advice (e.g., policies, briefing materials, issue notes, summaries, presentation decks, jurisdictional assessments, etc.) to address emerging industry issues / support organizational decision-making.
- Oversee the development and review of core agency accountability documents and processes, including the Annual Report, Business Plan, and other requirements under the Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Finance.
- Engage with internal partners, including Enterprise Risk Management and Finance, to oversee financial and risk reporting to government.
- Work with team and other business areas to monitor and execute government information requests and ensure corporate compliance with applicable government directives.
- Work with Director and Vice President to manage the organization’s day-to-day relationship with other public-sector partners including the Ministry of Finance, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and Health Canada.
- Engage and build relationships with key government and agency partners at municipal, provincial and federal levels to help advance organizational and provincial priorities for cannabis legalization.
- Lead and administrate engagement with other provinces and territories through the Canadian Cannabis Jurisdictional Leadership (CCJL).
- Work with Strategic Engagement and CX Market Intelligence to lead consultations, as appropriate.
- Work with Director to support business areas in engaging with external stakeholders to advance organizational initiatives, policies, and priorities aligned with the OCS mandate.
- Support department leadership in addressing and responding to acute issues management/ stakeholder challenges, in partnership with Communications & Stakeholder Engagement.
- Build, direct, develop, performance manage, and inspire a small, high performing team of professionals. Ensure team consistently meets or exceeds expectations by assuring process compliance, facilitating appropriate training and feedback, and working with Director to ensure team engagement.
- Build productive working relationships with manager counterparts across the organization.
- Foster a culture of innovation, transparency and accountability within the department and throughout the OCS.
- Ensure that the team has the competence and skills to execute business-critical projects by partnering with Human Resources to create learning and development plans.

About You
- Completion of post-secondary education in, public policy, public administration, political science, business administration, or rel