Senior Policy Advisor

About the job

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership in the development of research and analysis of complex sales tax policy issues, and development and evaluation of options.
• Prepare and develop briefing materials, and brief senior management on legislative and policy design options
• Participate in the Ontario Budget process
• Work with stakeholders, other levels of government, other ministries/branches, and jurisdictions to lead policy, legislative and regulatory development, and support implementation.

What you bring to the team

Technical Knowledge and Policy Skills

You have:

• Knowledge of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and Retail Sales Tax (RST) legislation, as well as related tax legislation, policies and legislative frameworks.
• Ability to evaluate policy options and provide advice on policy, legislative impacts, and operational impacts.
• Understanding of policy development, government decision-making, and legislative processes.
• Leadership and Project Management Skills

You have:

• Demonstrated strategic leadership in the development and implementation of legislative proposals, policy initiatives and tax measures,.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and providing direction to staff while fostering collaboration and excellence.
• Strong project leadership skills and can manage complex, high-profile initiatives involving competing priorities and shifting deadlines.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

You have:

• Experience identifying emerging issues, assessing impacts, and developing practical solutions to complex challenges.
• Strong research and analytical experience analysing policy issues and developing strategic tax design options and recommendations.
• Ability to interpret data, assess trends, and provide evidence-based advice to support policy and legislative decisions.
• Proficiency with computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, to support research, analysis, and the preparation of briefing materials.
• Communication and Relationship Management Skills

You have:

• Experience communicating complex technical and policy information, presenting recommendations, and providing advice to senior decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication skills to prepare briefing materials, correspondence, and recommendations that support legislation and policy initiatives.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills to build consensus and advance policy objectives.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships to engage diplomatically and professionally with senior officials, stakeholders, and colleagues at all levels.

Don't meet every qualification?

• If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
• How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's

Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy