Vice President – Ontario in Toronto

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada through advocacy. As a mission-driven organization, CIJA connects the power of a strong, national network to regional efforts in every Canadian province. Our team provides advocacy support to Jewish and pro-Israel communities across the country, including on university campuses. We offer competitive compensation and a full range of benefits, a primarily office-based work environment, opportunities for travel and professional development, and a highly collaborative, multi-functional team-based approach to work.

Position Overview

Reporting to the CEO, the VP, Ontario leads CIJA's government relations strategy across the province and its stakeholder mobilization strategy in the GTA. This is a dual mandate: government relations and community stakeholder management carry equal weight. The VP serves as CIJA's senior provincial lead, ensuring the organization is well positioned with donors, federations, government, and community partners across Ontario, including small and mid-sized communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Government Relations
  • Own CIJA's GR strategy with the Ontario provincial government and municipal governments across the province.
  • Coordinate federal engagement within Ontario alongside CIJA's national GR function.
  • Identify opportunities to influence policy and respond to emerging issues affecting Ontario's Jewish community.
• Stakeholder Management and Mobilization
  • Build and manage relationships with CIJA's key Ontario stakeholders: donors, federations, Jewish and community organizations, government and public institutions, and civic leaders.
  • Manage and advise the Local Partnership Council, strengthening its role as a driver of community advocacy capacity.
  • Develop and oversee mobilization strategies that activate community members, partners, and allies behind CIJA's priorities.
  • Identify and cultivate new stakeholder relationships that expand CIJA's advocacy reach beyond existing networks.
• Partnership
  • Maintain strong relationships with Ontario's Jewish federations, ensuring alignment on strategic advocacy priorities across the province.
  • Coordinate with other Ontario community organizations to maximize collective impact.
  • Lead and manage CIJA's Ontario team, spanning government relations, municipal and local engagement, research and policy support, community communications, and grassroots mobilization.
  • Set strategic direction and hold the team accountable to CIJA's advocacy priorities.
• External Representation
  • Represent CIJA at public events, speaking engagements, and forums.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate brings:

• Significant experience in government relations, public affairs, advocacy, or politics.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario's political and institutional landscape.
• A track record leading teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working with donors, federations, and senior government officials.
• Sound judgment operating in high-pressure, high-sensitivity environments.
• Strong understanding of issues affecting the Jewish community in Ontario and Canada.

Working Conditions: Hybrid office, position will be based in Toronto. Working hours may include some nights and weekends. Travel across Ontario and possible Canada.