"Chief of Government Relations"

As Chief of Government Relations, you report to and directly support the President and serve as a key member of the University’s senior leadership team. You lead the University’s government relations and advocacy function, advancing policies and positions that align with U of T’s mission while supporting governments at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels in the development of sound, evidence-based public policy. Through sustained engagement and influence, you ensure the University maintains a strong, credible, and visible presence across all levels of Canadian government.

Working closely with the President, you guide the University’s advocacy strategy with all three levels of government on issues of strategic importance, working to proactively cultivate and sustain relationships with senior elected officials, political staff, and senior public servants. At the executive leadership table, you advise your colleagues on relevant and emerging legislation, policy directions, and their operational, financial, and reputational implications for the University. You oversee the monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of government agendas, legislation, and regulatory activity, translating complex policy developments into actionable advice and coordinated advocacy strategies. Working closely and collaboratively with departments and teams across the institution, you develop informed narratives and nuanced messages that position the University as a trusted advisor and national leader in higher education, research, and innovation. Across three campuses, you align advocacy priorities, mobilize internal expertise, and ensure consistent, well-coordinated engagement with government partners and officials.

As the ideal candidate, you are a principled, strategic, and politically astute leader who brings clarity, foresight, and disciplined execution to advocacy efforts, while fostering collaboration across a large, complex, and highly decentralized institution. You bring a deep understanding of Canadian public policy and demonstrated success engaging at senior levels of government, ideally across multiple jurisdictions. You have led integrated advocacy strategies, advised executive leadership on high-stakes issues, and built durable relationships grounded in credibility, trust, and mutual respect. You are an effective communicator and listener, able to distill complex analysis into clear, persuasive messages that resonate with political and bureaucratic audiences alike. Thoughtful, diplomatic, and steady, you exercise sound judgment in ambiguous and politically sensitive environments, balancing competing priorities with confidence and discretion. Your leadership style is collaborative and enabling, and your capacity to lead through influence positions you well to advance the University’s priorities in a dynamic policy landscape.

This is a unique and compelling opportunity to shape the public policy environment for one of the world’s leading universities. For more information or to apply, please contact Nick Chambers (nchambers@boyden.com) or Mike Young (myoung@boyden.com).