Manager Of Public Affairs

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The Commission’s mandate is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, adjudication and enforcement work. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Public Affairs is responsible for proactively developing and executing organization-wide media relations and issues management strategies. This member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) advises the executive management and subject matter experts and provides strategic communications counsel, with a focus on building and maintaining a strong reputation for the OSC.

A critical, substantial component of this role is to provide strategic direction and advice to enforcement management and senior litigation counsel on high profile enforcement matters, specifically the effective communication of regulatory messages.

The development and successful execution of communication strategies for enforcement files contribute directly to public confidence in the Commission’s mandate to foster fair capital markets. This area has grown in scope, complexity, person hours and importance in recent years.

Reporting to the Director of Communications & Public Affairs, the Manager leads and develops a team of public affairs professionals executing communications strategies that continuously support and strengthen the OSC’s reputation as an effective and responsive securities regulator, ensuring consistent messaging on key OSC priorities and initiatives.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare OSC spokespeople and subject matter experts to effectively handle difficult or confrontational media inquiries.
• Oversee approvals process for all media documents and responses; working in collaboration with Director and senior executives on contentious and high visibility inquiries.
• Manage and ensure productive relationship with CSA members, CSA Secretariat, Communications Committee, and Enforcement Communications Sub Committee on media-related initiatives; coordinate with CSA members in developing communications strategies, news releases, spokespeople and media responses that are national in scope.
• Develop and implement the OSC’s media relations strategy with a focus on anticipating and proactively addressing potential reputational risks for the OSC.
• Lead the development of integrated communications strategies, to increase awareness of OSC corporate events where media attention is desirable, including OSC Dialogue and policy roundtables.
• Oversee the enterprise social media program on behalf of the OSC, identifying and leveraging opportunities to expand and innovate using social media and the corporate website.
• Lead a team of public affairs professionals; providing guidance, leadership, advice, coaching, mentoring and motivation as well as goal setting and performance management.
• Serve as a primary OSC spokesperson, generating and providing responses on behalf of the OSC to national and international media outlets.
• Develop, implement, and monitor performance measures for the OSC’s media relations initiatives to ensure broad reach and exposure for the OSC across multiple channels.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key industry reporters in order to advance and support the OSC’s media program.
• Provide strategic input on media relations planning for annual Communications & Public Affairs Branch business plan.
• Ensure that public affairs materials (key messages and Q&A) are fully responsive to market events, policy developments and media interest.
• Support the Director in day-to-day management of the branch, including business planning, reporting, budgets, resources, and staffing.
• Review and advise on confidential hearing materials from a risk management and strategic communication perspective.

Ideal Professional Qualifications

• Solid understanding of the regulatory environment and the capital markets.
• Extreme comfort with public speaking and as a media spokesperson.
• Minimum of 10 years media or public affairs experience, preferably in financial services or in a regulatory environment.
• Ability to understand and apply legal principles as well as a solid grasp of legal concepts, supportive by formal training.
• Relevant senior-level management experience; and demonstrated experience and success in public affairs, strategic communications, and/or effective stakeholder outreach strategies in complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Completion of the Canadian Securities Course is highly desired.
• Experience writing and editing clear, concise and effective reports and media materials for diverse audiences.
• Completion of a relevant undergraduate degree, preferably in Communications or Journalism.
• Ability to manage and prioritize against competitive deadlines and emerging issues while maintaining professional and positive demeanor.
• Direct and indirect supervision of communications professionals.
• Must demonstrate excellent judgment and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive information.

How to Apply:

To explore this opportunity please apply via email with a resume and covering letter by August 11, 2023 or sooner to [email protected] quoting project OSC-MGR-PA.

Should you wish to speak to our Executive Recruiter please contact Jon Stungevicius at 416-214-9299 x1, [email protected] or Amy Oliveira at 416-214-9299 x4, [email protected].

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.

The OSC is committed to providing an inclusive workplace environment that meets the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities. Please go to Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.

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