Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives & External Relations

The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) is an independent officer of the Legislature with a multifaceted mandate in the areas of privacy protection and access to information.

We currently have an opening for the Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives and External Relations. This position reports directly to the Commissioner and is a member of the executive management team of IPC.

The Assistant Commissioner leads the advancement of IPC's strategic policy priorities by inspiring creative ideas, marshalling resources and partnering with others towards the successful achievement of the organization's goals.

The role is responsible for overseeing key functions (including Policy, Health Policy, Technology, Communications, and Legal Services) that proactively promote the IPC's mandate by building general awareness of Ontarians' access and privacy rights, and providing advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.

The Assistant Commissioner provides high level strategic advice to the Commissioner on all matters under the Assistant Commissioner's areas of responsibility. The Assistant Commissioner publicly represents the IPC, and occasionally replaces the Commissioner, serving as ambassador for the organization and championing its mandate. The Assistant Commissioner mentors and supports five (5) direct reports, and leads and inspires a larger team of forty (40) highly dedicated staff.

What can I expect to do in this role?

The Assistant Commissioner is an executive leader of the IPC and actively participates in supporting the implementation of the Commissioner's vision, mission and mandate. As a member of the Executive Council, the Assistant Commissioner helps shape the IPC's organizational culture, set future directions and make corporate-wide policy and resource allocation decisions.

The Assistant Commissioner provides strategic direction, management and leadership in respect of several areas of responsibility as they relate to promoting privacy and access rights, including:

• Developing submissions to Legislative Committees and Ministries on draft legislation or regulations that may impact privacy or access;
  
  
• Providing comment to governments and public sector organizations on new programs, policies and initiatives with privacy and access implications;
  
  
• Publishing guidance materials on access and privacy rights and obligations to a broad range of stakeholders, including the general public;
  
  
• Conducting research and environmental scanning of access and privacy issues, including emerging technological issues;
  
  
• Making public presentations to various audiences on access and privacy issues;
  
  
• Overseeing strategic communications, public outreach and media relations;
  
  
• Responding to inquiries from stakeholders or the general public;
  
  
• Providing strategic direction on legal analyses, opinions and litigation activity in support of all IPC functions, including Corporate Services and Tribunal processes;
  
  
• Coordinating external relations and joint collaborative work with international, federal, provincial and territorial counterparts and other relevant regulators; and,
  
  
• Forging constructive relationships and collaborations with relevant stakeholders with a view to advancing IPC's strategic priorities and goals.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

As the ideal candidate for this Assistant Commissioner position, you are a respected thought leader in the area of access to information and privacy. You are a highly strategic and creative thinker, and are driven to achieve and demonstrate results. You have boundless energy and passion to carry out the mandate of the IPC and are dedicated to public service. You have a proven track record of working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, connecting people and ideas. You have built high-performing teams through times of change in fast-paced environments, and you have inspired others to grow and develop in their roles through your exemplary leadership.

• You have at least seven (7) years' experience in a senior management position in the provincial public sector. Management experience at the executive level will be considered an asset.
  
  
• You hold an undergraduate university degree in an area relevant to this position. A masters' degree will be considered an asset.
  
  
• You have expert knowledge of access and privacy laws, and have worked at least seven (7) years in the field of privacy and access to information. A law degree from a Canadian university and active membership with the bar of a Canadian province or territory are not mandatory, but will be considered an asset.
  
  
• You have experience managing and/or advising on strategic communications, high-profile media responses and issues management.
  
  
• You are an excellent communicator, both orally and in writing. Proficiency in French will be considered an asset.
  
  
• You have a working proficiency with emerging information technologies and an understanding of their broader legal, social and ethical implications, including privacy and security risks.
  
  
• You are a seasoned manager with proven ability to lead and coordinate complex workflows, effectively communicate timely and relevant information, and manage competing priorities in a fast-changing and highly-demanding work environment.
  
  
• You have extensive experience overseeing an interdisciplinary team of highly specialized professionals, have effectively led and/or implemented change management initiatives, and have consistently delivered expected results, in scope, on time and within budget.

What's in it for you?

• A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model with in-office attendance at a minimum of 6-10 days per month.
  
• Commitment to continuous learning and developmental opportunities for all its employees.
  
• Work with an innovative and high performing organization committed to creating a positive organizational culture and highly dedicated to its mission of advancing the privacy and access rights of Ontarians.
  
• A defined benefit pension plan, Comprehensive Health Plan, and Life and Disability Insurance.
  
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits.

Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and promoting a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

We also believe in the importance of providing services to Ontarians in both official languages, and encourage interested bilingual candidates to apply particularly for public facing positions.

Note:

• The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement:
  • The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) that enables employees to accept positions in either organization while retaining their access to benefits, pension contributions, and years of service.
  
  
• Qualified List Information:
  
  • A list of qualified candidates will be established for the Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives & External Relations position in the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and will be in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is created. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary vacancies in this position.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, April 14, 2023 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.