Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations

Position Title: Stakeholder Sr. Manager Reports To: CEO Type: Full-Time Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid) Level: Intermediate‑Senior (non-management) Position Summary: The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is seeking a disciplined, politically aware Stakeholder Sr. Manager to strengthen our relationships with government, health‑sector partners, and professional associations. This role is ideal for someone who knows how to navigate complex systems, prepare senior leaders for high‑stakes interactions, and keep fast‑moving files organized and on track. The Stakeholder Sr. Manager is responsible for cultivating and maintaining the relationships that shape the organization’s influence—government bodies, health‑sector partners, professional associations, and key strategic allies. This role supports the CEO and senior leadership by ensuring that every interaction, including meetings, briefing notes, follow‑ups, and engagements, is well‑prepared, well‑documented, and well‑managed. The Stakeholder Sr. Manager brings structure, discipline, and professionalism to a fast‑moving environment where political acuity is non‑negotiable. This is a standalone role requiring maturity, discretion, and the ability to work confidently with senior officials, external partners, and OAO’s Board committees/working groups when assigned. Key Responsibilities Government & External Stakeholder Relations Support and strengthen ongoing relationships with government officials, political staff, ministry representatives, and allied health‑sector organizations. Coordinate stakeholder meetings, briefings, consultations, and follow‑up actions to ensure continuity and momentum. Track policy developments, political signals, and health‑sector trends that may impact optometry. CEO & Executive Support Develop meeting briefs, briefing notes, talking points, stakeholder dossiers, and strategic summaries. Prepare the CEO for engagements with government, partners, and external associations. Coordinate cross‑departmental inputs to ensure the CEO receives complete, accurate, and timely information. Stakeholder Planning & Engagement Tracking Maintain the stakeholder engagement plan and a disciplined tracking system of commitments, outcomes, and next steps. Ensure consistent follow‑up and accountability across meetings, agreements, and shared initiatives. Map stakeholders by influence, risk, and opportunity. Cross‑Functional Coordination Work with Member Services, Communications, and IT to align messaging, schedules, and stakeholder deliverables. Ensure internal teams are aware of political context, project dependencies, and external expectations. Support preparation for public campaigns, negotiations, advocacy initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Board Committee Engagement Provide coordination, research, and stakeholder‑related support for committees/working groups when assigned by the CEO. Attend meetings, prepare summaries, and ensure follow‑through on action items. Identify emerging issues, conflicting stakeholder positions, and reputational risks early. Draft high‑quality responses, statements, and briefing materials under tight timelines. Support crisis or rapid‑response situations with disciplined coordination. Qualifications 5–8 years of experience in government relations, stakeholder management, public affairs, or a related health‑sector role. Demonstrated political acuity and comfort operating in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. Strong written communication—briefing notes, strategic summaries, and policy‑oriented materials must be excellent. Proven track record of managing senior‑level external relationships. Experience in government, health care, a regulatory body, or a member‑based association strongly preferred. Ability to travel for stakeholder engagements and represent the organization professionally. University undergraduate degree in a related field. Ability to work in Canada. Core Competencies Professional maturity and discretion. Political sensitivity and judgment. Relationship‑building grounded in credibility, not theatrics. High accountability and follow‑through. Strong organizational discipline. Ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities. Concise, high‑quality writing under tight deadlines. Success Measures Stakeholder engagements are coordinated, documented, and advanced consistently. CEO receives thorough, disciplined, and well‑prepared materials. Relationships with government and key partners strengthen measurably. Risks and issues are flagged early and handled professionally. Cross‑departmental coordination improves clarity and responsiveness. OAO’s presence in the broader health sector becomes more in‑depth and influential. Final compensation will be based on the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and level of responsibility within the role. A full benefits package and travel reimbursement are included. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience to #J-18808-Ljbffr