Overview

We are looking for a full-time (35 hours per week) Director of Research, Policy and Communications who will provide inspired, strategic, and dedicated leadership to the organization.  The ideal candidate cares deeply about creating a more just and equitable Toronto and can influence minds and opinions with the written word. They have a passion for public policy, democratizing knowledge and building community capacity so more people can work together to drive policy change—grounded in community-centred evidence, research and expertise. They are collaborative to the bone. They are committed to embedding truth, reconciliation, and an intersectional anti-racist, anti-ableist, queer- and trans-positive, and gender equity lens in all their work. They can speak both to processes of marginalization and naming inequality as well they can identify community strengths, assets and workable policy solutions. They care about sharing power, supporting others to do their best work, and building strong and effective teams.

The Director of Research, Policy & Communications will direct and manage the research, policy analysis, and communications work and staff of the organization. They will be instrumental in leading advocacy and policy change that advances social, racial, gender and economic justice, equitable policies, investments, and strategies, for marginalized communities and neighbourhoods across Toronto. The position reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with the senior management and staff teams.

Why join SPT?

Get paid to lead systems and policy change work at an organization whose mandate is to address inequality in Toronto
Work with smart, passionate, engaged people who care about social, economic, racial, and gender justice, and work from a community-centred approach
Work at an organization with over six decades of experience collaborating with partners and communities to advance equality

Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Hires, onboards, supervises, and supports the development and performance of SPT’s Research & Policy Analysts and Communications Coordinator;
• Supports staff to develop and implement work plans, aligned with the Strategic Plan, and track progress on deliverables
• Encourages the professional development and ongoing learning amongst staff

Research & Policy Management

• Identifies annual research priorities for the organization and establishes an annual strategic research and policy analysis plan in consultation with the ED and Director, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives and staff
• Shapes and oversees the implementation of the research plan and agenda, the policy change agenda and policy positions, and the communications strategy and plan, in collaboration with the team and the ED and Director, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives
• Oversees and supports staff to identify research priorities and publish research reports, reviewing all materials, methodology, and ensuring a commitment to research and data excellence
• Tracks relevant and emerging policy, strategy, budgetary, and programmatic developments at the municipal, as well as provincial and federal levels, and leads SPT’s response with SPT colleagues through policy submissions, deputations, public letters, and more

Communications & Knowledge Mobilization

• Creates new opportunities for, and communications tools to increase, public awareness of policy and research priorities
• Develops communications key messages and talking points on key policy/advocacy initiatives and campaigns
  Supervises the design and production of visuals and copy for a variety of products, including the monthly newsletter, blog posts, website, media releases, social media messages, presentations, articles, and advertisements
• Builds data, research, and policy analysis capacity and knowledge amongst SPT members and partners, including working with staff to develop workshops, webinars and other materials
• Builds and maintains relationships with media contacts, with Communications staff
• Develops and implements objectives and targets established around content development, communications channel consistency, and strategic communications

Partnership & Resource Development

• Establishes long-term partnerships with researchers, research institutes, and academic institutions to help further SPT’s mission and priorities
• Builds and fosters strong relationships with elected officials, government officials, parliamentary and government relations and external partnerships with policymakers,
• Convenes sector and community stakeholders around research and policy issues
• Participates in public forums, conferences and events
• Identifies new funding sources, develops potential new project and funding proposals, and works with the senior team to ensure effective reporting to funders, the Board, and other partners
• Cultivates and stewards relationships with major donors including foundations, corporations and unions
  Works with the senior team on fundraising and donations campaigns

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development—with the management team, the Director of Research, and Communications:

• Implements key aspects of SPT’s strategic plan
• Develops and continuously improves the organization’s evaluation framework, plan, and data collection and reporting methods
• Acts as spokesperson for the organization at  public events and in the media as designated by the Executive Director
• Works to ensure that Social Planning Toronto’s work is communicated effectively to the Board, the organization’s members, community and sector partners, other stakeholders, and the public
• Supports issues management, managing reputational risk, developing rapid and effective responses where required
• Assumes special projects as assigned by the Executive Director
• Assists in the implementation of Social Planning Toronto’s policies and contributes to the development of new procedures as appropriate
• Substitutes for Executive Director as required; other duties as required and assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications/Skills

• 7-10 years related work experience in research with a policy focus, and strategic communications, with at least 4-5 years of experience at the manager/director level
• Graduate degree in political science, social/political thought, sociology, geography, planning, public policy, gender studies, or other relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly/succinctly for different purposes on complex topics with outstanding verbal and written communication skills (framing, accessibility, grammar/spelling, editing, proofreading)
• Expertise and experience overseeing research on policy issues and the drafting of of policy recommendations and positions on behalf of a network and/or organization, and advancing policies and research that address systemic inequality and injustice
• Demonstrated skills in conducting and overseeing the implementation of advanced research, including experience with both primary and secondary research methods, and both qualitative and quantitative research design and methodology
• Expertise in community-centred and participatory research methods, with knowledge of research ethics and equitable and decolonizing approaches to research
• Demonstrated skills and experience establishing evaluation frameworks and systems for organizational and program evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role managing communications for an organization
  Skilled communicator and people manager who can strategize, plan, coach, and delegate effectively, preferably in a union environment
• Excellent project management skills and able to juggle multiple projects, resourcefully solve problems, take initiative, and meet deadlines
• Extensive experience working with diverse residents and communities across the city, including women, girls, trans, Two-spirit, and non-binary residents, Indigenous, Black, racialized folks, 2SLGBTQ+, seniors, immigrants, refugees, non-status residents, and people with disabilities
• Demonstrated expertise communicating with an intersectional, anti-racist, feminist and economic justice lens
• A demonstrated team player and ability to lead complex projects and initiatives with minimal oversight
• Experience in writing funding proposals and related reports
• Computer competency related to word-processing, project management tools, communications, research and data management tools and applications

Tagged as: Policy Analysis/Development

Compensation

Annual salary range: $87,000 - $102,575 (salary scale will be reviewed within the 6-12 months) In addition to salary, SPT has an excellent employee benefits package that includes sick leave, vision care, dental, extended health and wellness benefits, hospitalization, drug plan, long term disability, group life insurance and pension plan. SPT also offers 15 vacation days in the first year of employment, 14 official statutory holidays, personal and other leave days, and paid time off between December 24th and January 1st each year.

How to Apply

To apply: Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how they meet the above criteria. Kanaka Kulendran Director of Organizational Systems e-mail: hr@socialplanningtoronto.org The deadline for applications is 9:00 am on Monday June 23, 2025