Senior Manager, Government Relations

Job summary

The Senior Manager will lead government advocacy efforts and maintain strong relationships with political stakeholders to advance the organization's strategic goals. They are responsible for monitoring public policy trends, drafting policy briefs, and managing engagement strategies across all levels of government.

Job details

SENIOR MANAGER, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Permanent Full-time Government Relations TIFF is a charitable, cultural organization dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds in our home - TIFF Lightbox. Our mission: To transform the way people see the world, through film. TIFF is committed to embracing diversity and treating all individuals with respect, dignity and fairness by removing physical, social and economic barriers to participation. We encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, who the traditional keepers of the land are, what the treaty relationship is, or if it’s unceded territory. TIFF is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. We are grateful to work on this land. We are currently hiring for the position of: SENIOR MANAGER, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS The Senior Manager, Government Relations will be responsible for leading government advocacy efforts and maintaining strong relationships with political stakeholders. The Senior Manager will report to the Director, Government Relations. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Develop and execute comprehensive advocacy strategies to advance TIFF’s strategic plan, infrastructure needs, and operational funding goals. * Prepare presentations and briefings for government stakeholders, effectively articulating TIFF's cultural and economic footprint, and community value proposition. * Monitor, analyze, and report on public policy trends, legislative updates, and political shifts that impact the arts, culture, and non-profit sectors. * Draft highly compelling policy briefs, position papers, pre-budget submissions, and speaking notes for executive leadership. * Cultivate and maintain strong, trusted relationships with elected officials, political staff, and public service bureaucrats at all three levels of government. * Act as a key point of contact for government partners, tracking commitments and follow-ups with government stakeholder and organizing high-impact meetings for TIFF leadership. * Coordinating timely responses to urgency political or policy developments, or emerging GR issues. * Translate complex institutional data (such as tourism metrics and economic impact studies) into persuasive advocacy narratives for government audiences. * Working closely with the Manager, Government Relations, oversee government protocol and engagement during the annual Toronto International Film Festival and year-round events at TIFF Lightbox. * Identifying funding and grant opportunities, ensuring alignment with current government mandates, policies and priorities. * Represent TIFF in external meetings with government officials and senior public servants to advance institutional priorities. * Manage and coordinate external government relations/lobbying agencies, ensuring alignment of messaging, priorities, and advocacy strategies. * Work cross-functionally with key internal stakeholders/team to align GR strategy with organizational priorities * Track and report on outcomes of government engagement, funding success, and advocacy impact JOB GRADE & SALARY: * Job Grade 4 * Job Grade Salary Range/Annually or Rate of pay: $65,000 - $103,020 * Our salary ranges reflect the range of skills and experience required for the role. Typically, candidates new to the role are positioned up to the midpoint of the range, with progression through the range based on performance and development over time. The top of the salary band is for employees who consistently demonstrate high performance in their role. TARGET CONTRACT DATES: * Start Date: November 9, 2026 WORK LOCATION: * Office Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5 * Weekly in-office requirements: * Minimum 2 days (November to April) * Minimum 3 days (May to October) * Festival Office Requirements: Full Time during Festival MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: * Post-secondary education in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience). * Minimum 7+ years of progressive experience in government relations, public affairs, political staff roles, or advocacy within a non-profit, cultural institution, or public agency. Communication * Exceptional written and verbal communication skills * Ability to communicate ideas and proposals persuasively to government partners during phone calls and meetings Stakeholder Relations * Proven ability to build networks and influence stakeholders across the political spectrum * high degree of diplomacy, discretion, and emotional intelligence. Organization/project responsibility * Superior organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines. * Lead the team in meeting timelines for advocacy campaigns Job Specific Knowledge * Deep, nuanced understanding of Canadian political processes, public policy frameworks, and government budget cycles * Adaptable to a flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends * This position requires being in office on a regular basis. VACANCY: * This job posting is for an existing vacancy HOW TO SUBMIT & APPLICATION DEADLINE: * All applications must be submitted online through TIFF’s Career Centre [https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=TIFF3270&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_CA]. * Please upload your cover letter and resumé as PDF(s), before the deadline of Sunday, October 18, 2026. CLOSING: We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted. Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada at this time.TIFF regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas; however, TIFF considers and welcomes individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position. For consideration to those on time-limited Visa status, your Visa must allow you to complete the full contract. TIFF may use artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants for this position. Please send any questions via e-mail only to careers@tiff.net [careers@tiff.net]. TIFF is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities. If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance at careers@tiff.net [careers@tiff.net]. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested.

What you’ll do

The Senior Manager will lead government advocacy efforts and maintain strong relationships with political stakeholders to advance the organization's strategic goals. They are responsible for monitoring public policy trends, drafting policy briefs, and managing engagement strategies across all levels of government.

Requirements

Candidates must have a post-secondary education in a relevant field and at least 7 years of progressive experience in government relations or public affairs. Strong communication, diplomacy, and a deep understanding of Canadian political processes are essential for this role.

Listed skills

• Stakeholder Management · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Government relations
• Advocacy strategy
• Public policy
• Stakeholder management
• Strategic planning
• Communication
• Policy analysis
• Budget cycles
• Project management
• Diplomacy
• Emotional intelligence
• Grant writing
• Legislative monitoring
• Public affairs
• Relationship building
• Influencing Skills
• Stakeholder Communications
• Organizational Skills
• Advocacy
• Strategic Planning
• Economics
• Emotional Intelligence
• Public Administration
• Lobbying
• Leadership
• Persuasive Communication
• Political Sciences
• Presentations
• Public Policies
• Timelines
• Value Propositions
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Coordinating
• Public Affairs

Job areas

• Government & Public Sector
• Management & Leadership
• Creative & Media
• Consulting
• Government Relations Manager
• Public Affairs Manager
• Advertising and Public Relations Managers
• Public Relations Managers

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