Position Summary
The Senior Director of Policy, Outreach and Public Affairs is responsible for working with subject matter experts in the bar, sections, and key partner firms to build consensus for OBA policy positions on various substantive legal and justice sector issues. This includes developing working groups to ensure all relevant perspectives are considered when developing the consensus position, meeting regularly with partner firm counsel, leading policy development events such as summits, town halls and roundtables. The Public Affairs component of the role also includes the development of strategies to enhance the OBA’s profile and reputation through media and OBA channels.
Policy and Public Affairs Responsibilities
Gathering timely information on, and providing OBA leadership and membership with, up-to-date information about upcoming legislation, policies and other activities of the government, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Developing strong relationships with:
- Key Ontario government Ministers, Ministers’ offices, and Ministries,
- Decision-makers and staff at the Law Society of Ontario
- Other justice sector organizations
- Judges and high-level staff in the administration of all Ontario Courts
- Law Schools
- Other stakeholders that facilitate the development and implementation of OBA policy
Working with the above stakeholders and decision-makers to ensure that the OBA has timely information on their upcoming initiatives and that OBA policy is communicated and adopted by governments, courts, and regulators. This includes regular interaction with the stakeholders to ensure an understanding of the OBA and its importance; the drafting of submissions; approval and distribution of submissions; arranging attendance at and preparing lawyers for appearances at standing committee and meetings with key decision-makers; and the development of advocacy strategies and tactics including media strategies where appropriate.
Liaising with other departments in the OBA (including CPD, Finance and Marketing) to ensure that:
- OBA Policy initiatives and achievements/successes are communicated well to the bar.
- New and upcoming legislation and government/law society policy and other policy trends are incorporated into the OBA professional development offerings (by working with the CPD lawyers)
- The annual budget for the department is prepared and expenditures against the budget are tracked.
- Leading public outreach campaigns such as Law Day and other OBA initiatives such as the Bencher election and provincial election activities of the OBA.
- Working with the CBA on federal policy issues and court interventions of importance to Ontario.
- Managing the lawyers and support staff in the OBA Policy and Public Affairs Department including ongoing training, couching and performance review and management
- Leading the development and execution of policy and public interest events and activities covering policy topics of interest to lawyers in and outside the sector.
Outreach and Communications
- Participate in, direct, and supervise the development and execution of the following:
- Build, maintain and monitor relationships with legal and mainstream media representatives to ensure OBA’s strategic messages reach the desired audience.
- Effectively communicate policy positions in traditional and social media and in media interviews.
- Develop and execute the Lawyers’ Link App news strategy.
- Develop the social media strategy and the content of social media posts to ensure the enhancement of OBA’s reputation, profile, and relevance.
- Supervise the Media and Communications Specialist, including monitoring performance, developing goals, assigning accountabilities, setting objectives, establishing priorities, conducting annual performance appraisals, and recommending salary adjustments.
- Research and leverage earned media opportunities in mainstream and legal media.
- Developing media messaging, speaking remarks, press releases & other media and communications that involve policy positions directed at, or the reaction to the policy positions of, government, Law Society, courts and other decision-making stakeholders.
- Working with line departments and the Marketing Department to develop an earned media strategy to highlight the OBA and its benefits, services, and accomplishments.
- Developing a regional media outreach and content strategy to improve the OBA relevance in all regions of the province.
Qualifications
- Five to ten years’ experience in government or an advocacy role in a member’s association
- Five to ten years’ experience in a managerial capacity
- Experience in advocacy and government relations campaigns
- Established network of contacts at Queen's Park
- Experience working with media and communications departments/functions.
- Law Degree preferred.