Senior Advocacy Manager - Job Posting

Senior Advocacy Manager - Job Posting

About Cycle Toronto

Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity that works to make Toronto a healthy, safe and vibrant cycling city for all. We are focused on advocacy, education and encouragement, as we work to shape policy and infrastructure, and build community to transform our city’s cycling culture. We engage a diversity of people in our work, pursuing evidence-based solutions that make cycling a viable option for all Torontonians. We are a small, collaborative staff team that sees cycling as a gateway to a healthy environment, complete streets, economic prosperity, stronger communities, better mental and physical health, equity, and fun. 
 

Terms of Employment

• Full-time (40 hours/week with 30 minute paid lunch break), fixed term contract position (covering a leave of absence) until December 23, 2022 with opportunity for extension or permanent position 
• Anticipated Start Date: early April 2022 or as soon as possible. Onboarding will be provided by the current manager in this role until May
• Salary: $55,000-$63,000 per year, prorated, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: extended health and dental benefit group plan, 3 weeks of paid vacation (pro-rated), up to 10 paid sick days, Corporate Bike Share membership, and professional development opportunities will be included 
• Equipment: A laptop will be provided for remote work, and up to $50/month reimbursement for use of personal smartphone 
• Location: Physical office located at 401 Richmond St, Toronto. We are currently a hybrid workplace with the option to work from home and at our office. While some of our work can be done remotely, the successful candidate is expected to live within the City of Toronto 
• Hours: General availability between 9:00 am-5:00 pm or 10:00 am-6:00 pm during office hours. Flexible hours and timeshifting is expected at times (with time in lieu provided), as some availability after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays is required. Evening and occasional weekend work is determined by public consultations, our event calendar, and availability of our volunteers. The schedule for working group meetings will be set by the successful candidate.

About the Position

Working remotely and/or from our office during the COVID-19 Pandemic (subject to change), the Senior Advocacy Manager will engage with elected officials, City staff, residents, volunteers, and community organizations to increase the effectiveness of Cycle Toronto’s mission to build a safe, healthy, vibrant cycling city for all. You will be part of a small, dedicated staff team that works both independently and collaboratively, and supports each other’s priorities. You possess at least 3-4 years of relevant experience in advocacy and ideally have working knowledge in both city planning processes and public policy. 

Roles & Responsibilities

• Oversee the growth and success of Cycle Toronto’s major campaigns, including our emerging municipal election campaign
• Mentor and provide guidance to 1-2 full-time staff, seasonal staff, and volunteers on advocacy projects, campaigns, canvassing and outreach initiatives
• Facilitate smooth coordination and communication for our advocacy volunteer committees and advocacy working groups. Build champions, provide opportunities for collaboration with partners and programs, and develop and track progress on advocacy campaign work plans 
• Draft, edit, and review various advocacy communications including: action alerts, letters to elected officials, op-eds, and more. The ability to translate government policies and reports into action-oriented publicly accessible language is an essential skill required for the role
• Review agendas of committees reporting to Toronto City Council. Organize, prepare and deliver presentations and written submissions for City Council and Committee meetings
• Work with our Advocacy Committee and relevant working groups to develop policies, position statements, and written submissions to Government
• Develop positions on emerging road safety and issues related to cycling and work with partner organizations to elevate issues
• Respond to and develop media stories, represent the organization on advocacy issues for print and TV media
• Represent the organization at public consultations, meetings with City staff and elected officials
• Develop and maintain relationships with Residents Associations, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), and other community stakeholders, provide information and materials to stakeholders
• Engage with members, community organizations, bike hubs, advocates, and program partners and connect them to current and potential Cycle Toronto advocacy campaigns

Qualifications

• Passion for helping to build a healthy, vibrant, and safe cycling city for all 
• Education: Post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent experience. Preference for designation in urban planning, public policy, government relations, political science, community organizing, charitable or non-profit experience, or other field related to the position
• Work experience: a minimum of 3-4 years of professional work experience in a relevant field, preferably either with or within charities or not-for-profit organizations
• Civic engagement and community organizing: interest in community building, politics, transportation, and/or grassroots advocacy
• Self-motivation: Results-driven, taking initiative to grow Cycle Toronto’s audience and impact
• Engagement skills: Engagement with a broad spectrum of stakeholders of diverse interests and backgrounds in an inclusive environment
• Leadership: Experience mentoring and working with volunteers and community organizations
• Diplomacy: ability to pivot conversations based on needs and interests of audience, always demonstrating tact and superb facilitation skills
• Social equity and commitment to anti-oppression: Commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Demonstrates professionalism in working with a variety of stakeholders of diverse interests and backgrounds
• Effective communication: Proficiency in meeting facilitation, delivering oral presentations, and writing and editing compelling content for a variety of mediums and contexts (e.g., blog, newsletter, social media, press release)
• Computer proficiency: experience with GSuite (Docs, Meets, Sheets, Slides) and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience organizing meetings, presentations, and projects using online platforms
• Organizational skills: Can prioritize multiple projects under competing deadlines. Proven ability to manage projects with a strong attention to detail 
• Flexibility: Willingness to perform a variety of tasks in a team setting to maximize effectiveness

Assets

• Cycling advocacy experience: Experience working or volunteering in a non-profit or charitable environment, with particular interest in the active transportation sector
• Budgeting and Operational planning: Experience working with and developing budgets and workplans
• Computer proficiency: Experience working with CRM databases (preferably NationBuilder), mapping software, content management systems, HTML, and/or graphic design 
• Social Media: Ability to connect with audiences online to grow our advocacy impact 
• Language skills: Proficiency in languages other than English
• Resident of and/or experience with advocacy initiatives outside the downtown core where much of Cycle Toronto’s current work is focused

Cycle Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion. Cycle Toronto encourages applications in particular from people who live outside of downtown, individuals from Black, Indigenous, and other racialized groups, women, people with disabilities, people of diverse social classes, people with diverse gender identities, and people with diverse sexual orientations. Accommodation in the hiring process and during employment will be provided in accordance with Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

COVID-19: Cycle Toronto is committed to taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the health and safety of workers from the hazard of COVID-19. An offer of employment is contingent upon demonstrating proof of COVID-19 vaccination by the time of the employee's start date.  

Application process

To apply, send your resume and cover letter in one PDF application outlining why this role at Cycle Toronto is of interest to you to work@cycleto.ca with the subject line “Senior Advocacy Manager” by Sunday March 13, 2022. We will aim to hold video interviews over Google Meets shortly thereafter. We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.