Senior Policy Advisor

Are you passionate about shaping the future of postsecondary education in Ontario?

Are you a highly skilled and team-oriented individual who possesses expertise in developing financial policy and planning initiatives, as well as the ability to analyse quantitative and financial data? If so, we are seeking a motivated professional to fill the role of the Senior Policy Advisor in the Financial Framework Unit.

The successful candidate will utilize their policy expertise, financial analysis skills, and project leadership experience to produce policy and planning materials that help drive decisions that impact the accessibility, sustainability, and efficiency of the post‑secondary sector. The role requires working closely with the unit's Senior Policy and Planning Analysts to analyse and report findings on enrolment, tuition and funding data.

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on public policy and planning, we want to hear from you.

Capital and Financial Policy Branch leads the development of funding policy and manages capital funding, oversight, financial modelling, and sector forecasting. It also oversees tuition policy and the ministry's data strategy, including the collection and use of enrolment and tuition data, as well as the allocation methodology and implementation of international student study permit applications for the sector. Together, this work supports evidence based decision making, strengthens accountability under the Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) framework, and enhances data transparency for the public and sector stakeholders.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will:

• Lead the design and development of postsecondary financial policies and programs
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to senior management on new policies, programs, and financial analyses
• Prepare policy presentation materials, decision and briefing documents, cabinet submissions, Treasury Board/Management Board submissions, as well as written research, reports and analysis papers
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis on enrolment, funding and tuition data, and report and present findings to senior management and stakeholders
• Lead and manage projects, including defining goals, parameters, resources, and deliverables
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Represent the branch, division, and ministry on cross‑ministry, inter‑jurisdictional, and stakeholder committees and working groups

• Proven expertise in financial policy development
• Knowledge of policy and program development principles, decision making processes, and legislative frameworks
• Ability to apply program evaluation and analysis techniques to assess policy effectiveness, financial impacts, and accountability frameworks
• In‑depth knowledge of Ontario's postsecondary education system, including relevant legislation, economic theory, funding models, governance structures, and socio‑economic issues affecting the sector

• Lead, plan, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, including financial modelling, performance measurement, benchmarking, and trend forecasting
• Develop financial models and databases
• Conduct environmental scans and analyze factors such as funding, governance, and policy impacts
• Assess trends, model system scenarios, evaluate best practices, and analyze costs and impacts
• Anticipate issues, conduct risk assessments, and develop options for resolution
• Manage multiple, complex, and interrelated issues in a fast‑paced environment

• Prepare clear, compelling reports, charts/graphs, briefing materials, cabinet submissions, and correspondence
• Present complex financial and policy information to senior management and external audiences
• Use persuasion, negotiation, and consensus building to support policy and financial recommendations
• Exercise political acuity and diplomacy when managing sensitive or emerging issues
• Build collaborative relationships across…