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Senior Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations

Senior Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations

Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
locationToronto Canada
remoteHybrid
PublishedPublished: 2025-09-30
ExpiresExpires: 2025-11-29
Full Time
5 - 10 years of experience
$85,000 - $100,000 per year

AFHTO Senior Manager Advocacy and Government Relations 1

Senior Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations Position Type: Full-time (1.0 FTE) Reports To: Director, Strategy, Policy and System Transformation Location: Hybrid (Toronto-based office and remote. This role is intended to be external facing requiring in-person meetings, event attendance etc. in the Greater Toronto Area specifically. Travel across Ontario is also expected 15% of the role) Organization: Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) Salary: $85,000 - $100,000 Closing date: October 15, 2025 To apply, please complete the form on our website www.afhto.ca/careers

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Position Summary

AFHTO is seeking a politically astute, strategic communicator to join our team as Senior Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations. This mid-level leadership role is central to building and maintaining AFHTO’s presence and credibility with government, political decision-makers, and system stakeholders. It also ensures that our members’ experiences and operational realities help shape health system transformation.

At AFHTO, our approach to advocacy is collaborative, constructive, and grounded in evidence and operations. We work to advance system change by identifying real-world implementation challenges and bringing forward practical, policy-informed solutions. This role is critical in ensuring that decision-makers understand the value of team-based primary care—and that AFHTO and its members remain trusted, solutions-oriented partners in Ontario’s health system.

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations & Political Engagement


• Build and manage strategic relationships with elected officials, ministerial staff, and senior civil servants.


• Lead or support high-level meetings with government stakeholders, preparing customized briefs, talking points, and policy recommendations.


• Monitor political developments and identify opportunities for engagement aligned with AFHTO’s policy and system priorities.

www.afhto.ca/careers

AFHTO Senior Manager Advocacy and Government Relations 2


• Act as a credible, professional representative of AFHTO with political and bureaucratic partners.


• Manage relationships with external vendors and/or consultants in the government relations, public relations and/or strategic communication space

Advocacy Strategy & Policy Influence


• Lead or contribute to the development of advocacy strategies and campaigns that reflect member insights and align with AFHTO’s mission.


• Translate operational challenges into clear, evidence-informed policy positions that support system improvement.


• Develop persuasive advocacy materials, including issue briefs, stakeholder communications, and government submissions.


• Emphasize non-partisan, collaborative advocacy approaches that build trust and long- term influence.

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Communications


• Lead a significant part of AFHTO’s external communication efforts – you are a ‘doer’


• Collaborate with internal teams to develop strategic messaging that strengthens AFHTO’s reputation and visibility in the system.


• Ensure communications to external audiences (e.g., government, Ontario Health, associations, media) reflect AFHTO’s values and priorities.


• Support the CEO and senior leaders with materials and messaging for public speaking, stakeholder meetings, or government engagement.


• Contribute (plan, design, execute) to the organizations outreach efforts through digital communication, newsletters etc.

Member Engagement for Policy Mobilization


• Facilitate channels for member input into advocacy and policy development, ensuring grassroots issues inform AFHTO’s external efforts.


• Prepare members for effective local and provincial engagement through toolkits, training, and messaging support.


• Promote alignment between member activities and AFHTO’s system-facing strategy.

Advocacy School & Leadership Development

AFHTO Senior Manager Advocacy and Government Relations 3


• Lead the launch and ongoing development of AFHTO’s Advocacy School, a new initiative designed to build the leadership capacity of members and stakeholders to influence health system decision-making. Includes managing faculty, vendors and volunteers.


• Grow and engage a network of AFHTO advocates by developing training, resources, and mentorship opportunities focused on storytelling, strategic messaging, and evidence-based decision-making.

Conference & Content Alignment


• Work with the conference and programs team to ensure that AFHTO’s annual conference and related platforms amplify advocacy messages and policy priorities. As well, as leverage the opportunity to seek critical input into AFHTO’s policy and advocacy work direct from members.


• Identify speakers, themes, or sessions that reinforce AFHTO’s system influence and profile.

Qualifications and Experience

Required:


• 5–8 years of experience in government relations, political engagement, public affairs, or policy advocacy—ideally in health or non-profit sectors.


• Strong knowledge of Ontario’s political and policy environment, especially in health care.


• Proven ability to build relationships and lead discussions with government officials, political staff, and senior system stakeholders.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing policy briefs, strategic messaging, and advocacy content.


• Strong political judgment, professionalism, and discretion.


• Collaborative mindset and ability to coordinate across internal teams and external audiences.

Preferred:


• Experience in a member-based or health association environment.


• Familiarity with team-based primary care models and the Ontario Health system landscape.


• Experience designing advocacy campaigns or integrating policy messaging into conferences or public events.

Why Work at AFHTO

AFHTO Senior Manager Advocacy and Government Relations 4

AFHTO represents over 180 team-based primary care organizations across Ontario. We are committed to advancing high-quality, comprehensive, and equitable care. Our small but highly effective team works collaboratively with members, government, and system partners to support meaningful and lasting change in primary care.

We offer:


• A flexible, hybrid work environment.


• A values-based, mission-driven culture.


• Opportunities to directly shape health system transformation through practical, strategic work.

AFHTO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from equity-deserving communities.

AFHTO is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation at any stage of the process, please contact us at [insert contact method], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. AFHTO reserves the right to close the posting early or modify the recruitment process at its discretion.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the form on our website Careers | AFHTO www.afhto.ca/careers Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Closing date: October 15, 2025

https://www.afhto.ca/careers

Required degree level

  • Experienced (Non Manager)

Years of experience (Optional)

  • 5 - 10 years of experience

Salary range

  • $85,000 - $100,000 per year