Political Associate Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Find Your Spot at Humber
At Humber, we are a vibrant, diverse community of professionals dedicated to providing an exceptional learning experience for our students. Through our strategic vision and exciting new brand Builders of Brilliance, we are co-constructing a new model of polytechnic education for Ontario, Canada, and the world. We are committed to ensuring Humber offers the right programs, with the most effective teaching and learning approaches, to prepare exceptional leaders for our industries and communities. 

To achieve our vision, we take finding and developing the right talent very seriously. We offer a collegial, collaborative, inclusive environment in which each individual is supported to grow and bring their best each day. 

If you are excited by the prospect of contributing to our vision for learning, if you would like to be part of building a new model of polytechnic education, of 'building brilliance', in one of Canada's preeminent higher education institutions, then here is your opportunity to join our dynamic team.
Job Details:
Position Title: Associate Vice President, Government Relations & Strategic Funding
Status: Full-Time Administration 
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Faculty/Department: Government Relations
Campus/Location: Primary - North Campus, Secondary - Lakeshore Campus and Humber Downtown (IGS); Hybrid
Minimum Starting Salary: $162,037; starting salaries are determined based on qualifications and years of related experience. 
About the Associate Vice President, Government Relations & Strategic Funding Role:
Reporting to the Chief of Staff to the President and CEO, the Associate Vice President, Government Relations & Strategic Funding is responsible for leading Humber Polytechnic's strategic engagement with federal and provincial governments, with a primary focus on supporting the President in senior-level government interactions and positioning Humber for public funding success. 

This role serves as the institution's primary strategist in government relations, ensuring that all engagements with ministers, parliamentary assistants, elected officials, and senior public servants are wellprepared, strategically aligned, and outcomeoriented. 

By integrating political intelligence, relationship management, and strategic grant positioning, the Associate Vice President strengthens Humber's ability to anticipate government priorities, influence policy and funding decisions early, and secure public investments that advance Humber's longterm mission, impact, and financial sustainability. 

This role is intended to be strategic, forward-thinking, and collaborative across the institution. This individual will be responsible for institution-wide GR and funding, driving the overarching strategy, while ensuring alignment with institutional goals and objectives and providing measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. President Support & Executive Meeting Preparation

   • Serve as the President's principal advisor on government relations strategy and engagement

   • Prepare concise, highquality briefing materials for all seniorlevel government meetings involving the President, including:

     • Meeting purpose and desired outcomes 

     • Stakeholder profiles and political context

     • Key messages and recommended framing

     • Risks, sensitivities, and anticipated questions

   • Advise the President on appropriate engagement posture (relationshipbuilding, intelligencegathering, advocacy, or funding positioning) 

   • Conduct postmeeting debriefs, capture intelligence, and coordinate followup actions

   • Advise on when presidential involvement is strategically warranted and when it is not

2. Government Relations Strategy & Relationship Management

   • Develop and maintain a comprehensive government relations strategy aligned to Humber's institutional priorities 

   • Build and manage a government relationship map that identifies: 

     • Key political and public service stakeholders

     • Relationship strength and institutional ownership

     • Strategic interests and engagement priorities

   • Coordinate seniorlevel government engagement across Humber to ensure consistency of messaging and avoid duplication

   • Support the President and executive leadership in cultivating strong, nonpartisan relationships with government decisionmakers

   • Represent Humber in seniorlevel government and sector forums as appropriate

3. Political & Policy Intelligence

   • Monitor and analyze provincial and federal political, policy, and funding developments 

   • Track government priorities, mandate letters, budgets, cabinet changes, and election cycles

   • Maintain active intelligence channels with government officials, sector partners, and peer institutions

   • Translate political and policy developments into clear implications and recommendations for the President and executive team

   • Produce regular briefings for the President on emerging risks, opportunities, and trends

4. Strategic Grant & Public Funding Positioning

   • Lead Humber's frontend positioning for major provincial and federal grants and public funding opportunities

   • Identify and prioritize funding opportunities that align with Humber's strategic objectives and capacity

   • Advise on and coordinate presidential engagement in support of highvalue funding opportunities (e.g., meetings, calls, letters, hosting site visits)

   • Prepare grant positioning briefs that articulate:

     • Alignment to government priorities

     • Humber's unique value proposition and readiness

     • Recommended engagement strategy

   • Collaborate with Faculties, Research & Innovation, Finance, Continuing Education, and Advancement to support, monitor, and submit competitive grant submissions

   • Contribute to improving Humber's grant success rates, funding scale, and strategic value of awards

5. Institutional Alignment & Governance

   • Establish clear protocols for government engagement and presidential involvement 

   • Serve as a connection between the President, executive leadership, and academic and administrative units on governmentrelated matters 

   • Support internal leaders in understanding political context and government expectations 

   • Implement a proactive approach to address government relations and public funding issues 

   • Contribute to Board and Cabinet materials related to government relations and public funding as required 

About You:
You are passionate about working at Ontario's largest Polytechnic; you thrive on improving productivity and quality that contribute to team success! If this sounds like you, keep reading:

Education
University degree in public policy, political science, public administration, law, or a related field (graduate degree preferred).

Experience

Required Experience

• Significant seniorlevel experience in:

  • Government (provincial and/or federal), or 

  • Government relations, public affairs, or policy strategy 

• Demonstrated experience influencing or supporting public funding or policy outcomes 

  • Experience briefing senior executives, elected officials, or deputylevel public servants 

  • Strong understanding of publicsector governance and funding environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience in postsecondary education or broader publicsector institutions preferred

• Direct knowledge of Ontario and/or federal government processes and decisionmaking preferred 

• Experience supporting complex, multistakeholder initiatives or partnerships preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Exceptional political judgment and discretion 

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills 

• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, executivelevel advice 

• Strong relationshipbuilding and influencing skills 

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced politically sensitive environment 

• High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity 

Key Success Measures

• President reports consistent confidence and readiness for government meetings 

• Increased quality and effectiveness of seniorlevel government engagement 

• Improved early visibility into policy and funding developments

• Increased success rate and strategic value of provincial and federal grants

• Strengthened government perception of Humber as a trusted, deliveryready partner

Working Relationships 

• President and President's Office 

• VicePresidents

• Deans and academic leadership

• Research & Innovation, Finance, People(s) & Culture, Continuing Education

• Provincial and federal government stakeholders 
  

  If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! At Humber Polytechnic we don't just accept difference we celebrate it! Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and a progressive mindset goes a long way at Humber. If your experience is close to what we're looking for, consider applying and tell us why you are a great candidate for this job. Find your Spot at Humber!
    

  
  What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to be a part of building Humber's future.  
• Be part of a diverse, hard-working, and supportive team.
• Tools and technology that will allow you to succeed at your job.
• Amazing perks! 

We thank you for your interest in working with Humber Polytechnic. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Humber Polytechnic is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and our city. We actively seek Indigenous Peoples and individuals from equity-deserving groups with demonstrated skills and knowledge to deal with all aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion in a post-secondary environment.
Humber supports employment equity. Racialized workers, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2S workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the purpose of statistical data collection, applicants are strongly encouraged to voluntarily self-identify. Humber's diverse workplace also supports Francophone workers and young workers.

Accommodation
Humber Polytechnic is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Our Talent Acquisition team will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. This document is available in alternate formats upon request. 

Anti-Discrimination Statement
At Humber Polytechnic, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. All employees and applicants have the right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance with concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Office of Human Rights and Harassment (humanrights@humber.ca).