Position type: Full-time, permanent role Location: Anywhere in Canada. Preferably in Ottawa or Toronto Open: Wednesday, May 27th Closing: Wednesday, June 10th at 11.59pm Vacancy Status: Actively hiring for one vacant role Are you a bilingual leader in advocacy and government relations, driven to advance gender equity and systemic change? YWCA Canada is seeking a strategic and relationship-focused National Director of Advocacy and Government Relations to lead national advocacy, policy, and government engagement efforts that make a meaningful impact across Canada.

Apply today! ABOUT US YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest gender equity organization. Since 1873, we have been a national leader in advocating for the rights of women and girls. A secular, registered charity, we drive systemic change through powerful advocacy, collaboration, and programs that address urgent needs and advance long-term gender equity. YWCA is Canada’s:

• largest provider of gender-based violence shelters
• largest provider of employment and counseling programs for women
• second-largest childcare operator in Canada

As part of a national and international movement, the YWCA is a turning point in the lives of 25 million women, girls and gender diverse people worldwide. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all faiths, sexual orientations, races, cultural affiliations and creeds. POSITION SUMMARY The National Director of Advocacy and Government Relations is a member of the senior leadership team (SLT), responsible for shaping and advancing YWCA Canada's advocacy, public policy, research and government relations initiatives. Leading national strategies across key priority areas, the Director drives government engagement, policy research and intervention, coalition engagement and advocacy work in our strategic pillars. As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Member Associations, the Director provides strategic guidance on emerging policy issues and represents YWCA Canada with government, sector partners and national stakeholders. Working closely across teams, the Director ensures advocacy efforts are coordinated, inclusive, and grounded in an intersectional feminist and anti-racist approach, while strengthening partnerships, mobilizing knowledge, and positioning YWCA Canada as a credible and influential voice nationally. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy and Public Policy

• Lead the development and implementation of national advocacy and public policy strategies aligned with YWCA Canada’s strategic priorities.

• Advance public policy solutions across key issue areas including affordable housing, gender-based violence, childcare, economic equity, and reconciliation (in collaboration with the Equity, Reconciliation and Antiracism team).

• Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Board of Directors, staff, and Member Associations on advocacy and policy matters.

• Lead and support national advocacy initiatives, including campaigns, reports, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Strengthen relationships with Member Associations and sector partners to support coordinated, impactful advocacy efforts.

• Represent YWCA Canada on special projects related to advocacy and public policy with government, community partners, Member Associations, and other organizations.

• Collaborate across teams to develop advocacy content, tools, and communications that increase public awareness and influence.

• Monitor emerging policy issues, trends, and opportunities, and provide analysis and recommendations to inform organizational positioning.

• Coordinate relevant YWCA committees and provide staff support.

Government Relations

• Lead YWCA Canada’s federal government relations strategy and engagement.

• Build and foster long-term relationships with policymakers, government officials, political parties, public servants and national stakeholders.

• Represent YWCA Canada in meetings, public forums, and events to advance advocacy priorities.

• Identify and respond to legislative and policy developments affecting the organization’s mandate.

• Position YWCA Canada as a credible and influential voice with government and sector partners.

• Oversee external vendors and ensure compliance with federal lobbying requirements, as applicable.

• Manage the contacts database for both staff and citizens advocate interactions with elected officials and other government stakeholders.

Policy Research & Analysis

• Advise on advocacy and policy related research and knowledge mobilization activities engaging Members Associations.
• Led the development and dissemination of evidence-based advocacy and policy recommendations
• Deeply engage with the Reconciliation, Antiracism and Equity team to ensure inclusion of Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQI+ and disability communities in the organization's advocacy work.
• Collaborate across teams to support research, data analysis, and knowledge mobilization.

Leadership

• Advise the CEO and contribute to organizational strategy as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Lead planning and oversight of advocacy and policy priorities and budget.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior advocacy, public policy, or government relations role in Canada, including experience leading teams.

• Masters in gender studies, public policy, political science, a related field or equivalent with a commitment to intersectional equity is an asset.

• Strong understanding of the federal government structure, processes, and political landscape.

• Bilingualism in English and French is required.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including public speaking.

• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and strong analytical and decision-making abilities.

• Proven ability to build and manage relationships and influence across diverse stakeholders, including without direct authority.

• Experience leading national advocacy campaigns, policy development, and member or stakeholder engagement initiatives.

• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives and drive results.

• Demonstrated partnership and relationship management skills (internal and external) and networking abilities, including the ability to affect change without direct authority.

• Experience in community engagement, preferably in the non-profit sector, and knowledge of the philosophies, principles and practices of community engagement, stakeholder relations and public participation.

• Highly adaptable, resourceful, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives, build partnerships, and drive change in a collaborative environment.

• Ability to travel within Canada; regular travel to Ottawa may be required.

WORKING AT YWCA CANADA YWCA Canada is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others with lived experience of marginalization. Why work with us

• Impactful Work: Join a team dedicated to advancing equity and creating meaningful change for women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people across Canada.
• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and foster a workplace where unique perspectives and lived experiences are valued and respected.
• Equitable pay: We offer a competitive salary that reflects your skills, experience, and contributions.
• Great Benefits: Enjoy benefits that prioritize your well-being and work-life balance:
• Health Benefits: Full benefits from day one for you and your dependents, which include gender-affirming care, and a supplemental $2,000/year healthcare spending account, and telehealth.
• Mental Health Support: Access to mental health professionals, an Employee Assistance Program, and Noojimo, which offers mental health services to Indigenous staff.
• Income Protection: Long-Term and Short Term disability Protection.
• Employer Matching Pension Plan: 5% employer-matching pension after 3 months.
• Time Off: 4 weeks of vacation per year, which increase after 3 years of service (to a maximum of 8 weeks), and 18 Wellness and Emergency days
• Holiday Closure and Summer Friday: Summer Fridays in July and August and a 1-week office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Professional Development: A professional development stipend, and in addition to other learning and growth opportunities.
• Parental leave top-up: Up to 90% top-up for 15 weeks of maternity leave and 35 weeks of parental leave.
• Flexibility: We understand the importance of flexibility in today's fast-paced world. That's why we offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate your needs and preferences. Whether you prefer to work remotely or at the office or have some flexibility during your workday.

Application & Interview Process:

• Submit your resume on Humi and answer a few questions. Please note only applications via Humi will be considered, unless related to an accommodation request.
• 30-minute call with HR (for selected candidates) over Teams to discuss your background, YWCA Canada, the role and answer some of your initial questions.
• 90-minute interview with 3 leaders from the organization.
• 45-minute interview with the National CEO and 2 leaders from the organization.
• Reference Check: We want to learn more about your teamwork and collaboration, so we would like to contact a few individuals you have worked with in the past. Be ready to provide us with 2-3 professional references, including 1 supervisor.
• Offer.

At every step of the process, we like to let candidates know if they will be moving forward or not. Some final things to note: The successful candidate will be committed to working from an anti-oppression, feminist perspective. To uphold our commitment to equity and fairness, we have implemented a non-negotiation policy for salaries and benefits. Negotiating compensation can perpetuate inequalities and biases, leading to disparities in pay based on negotiation skills or personal circumstances. By eliminating negotiation, we ensure that all employees are treated with equity and have access to the same opportunities for compensation. Our office is located in downtown Toronto. We are remote flexible, which means that the team can choose if they work at the office or from home and when. Travel is expected 4-5 times per year within Canada. If you think you don’t have all the requirements, you are passionate about the YWCA mission and think this is the right role for you, we want to hear from you! We encourage women from racialized and/or newcomer, gender diverse, non-binary and/or gender fluid, 2SLGBTQIA+ First Nation, Métis and Inuit, immigrant, refugee, BIPOC, and people living with disabilities to apply. Accommodations We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates and employees in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will work with individuals to provide appropriate supports to enable full participation in the recruitment process and workplace. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process, or want more information on our accommodation policies, please contact HR at careers@ywcacanada.ca. We will work with you to meet your needs in a timely manner.