At Karis Disability Services what you do matters. Since 1965, our team has come alongside people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to celebrate each person’s unique gifts as we promote communities where everybody belongs. Driven by our values which are firmly rooted in the Christian faith, together we serve more than 1,500 people each year across Ontario and Saskatchewan, supporting them wholistically - body, mind, soul and spirit.
Believing each person is made in the image of God, we welcome everybody to find the personalized supports they need to thrive. Beyond Canada, our global work impacts over 300,000 people across 70 communities in six countries. Learn more about Karis Disability Services is.org .
What if your expertise could help influence decisions that create greater inclusion, stronger services, and brighter futures for people with developmental disabilities? At Karis Disability Services, you'll lead advocacy efforts, build influential relationships, and help advance policies that make a meaningful difference in communities across Ontario and Saskatchewan
Permanent, Full-Time Manager of Public Affairs 40 hours/week The Manager of Public Affairs supports all Karis communities.Therefore, the successful candidate may work out of the Waterloo office, or another community office, (depending on space availability) in Waterloo, London, Toronto, Huntsville, Sudbury, Peterborough, Durham, and Ottawa.
At Karis Disability Services, we believe every person belongs and has the opportunity to thrive. We are seeking a strategic and relationship-focused Manager of Public Affairs to lead our government relations, advocacy, and sector engagement initiatives across Ontario and Saskatchewan.
In this role, you will help advance priorities that support people with developmental disabilities and their families. Working closely with senior leaders, government stakeholders, sector partners, and internal subject matter experts, you will influence public policy, advocate for sustainable services, and provide the strategic insights that help drive meaningful change.
If you are passionate about public affairs, skilled at building relationships, and motivated by a mission-driven organization grounded in Christian values, we would love to hear from you.
Karis Disability Services is rooted in Christian faith and values. The successful candidate will support and uphold the organization’s Christian ethos, Values, Vision and Mission, and Statement of Faith as part of their professional responsibilities.Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement government relations and advocacy strategies that advance organizational priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, political staff, public servants, and government agencies.
- Prepare evidence-based policy submissions, recommendations, briefing materials, and advocacy content.
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, funding, and political developments and provide strategic advice to senior leadership.
- Represent Karis at government meetings, consultations, and public forums.
- Track government interactions, commitments, outcomes, and reporting requirements.
- Prepare executive briefing materials, stakeholder analyses, key messages, risk assessments, and engagement plans.
- Provide political and policy intelligence to support strategic decision-making.
- Translate organizational priorities into coordinated public affairs work plans.
- Prepare reports and updates for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align advocacy efforts and priorities.
- Lead participation in sector associations, coalitions, committees, and working groups.
- Monitor emerging trends, policy developments, funding issues, and best practices affecting developmental services.
- Collaborate with sector partners to develop joint advocacy initiatives and submissions.
- Contribute organizational expertise and lived-experience perspectives to broader policy discussions and sector improvement efforts.
- Lead participation in sector associations, coalitions, committees, and working groups.
- Monitor emerging trends, policy developments, funding issues, and best practices affecting developmental services.
- Collaborate with sector partners to develop joint advocacy initiatives and submissions.
- Contribute organizational expertise and lived-experience perspectives to broader policy discussions and sector…
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