Lead, Advocacy

Full Time, Contract

Location:

Toronto

Reports To:

Manager, Programs and Community Engagement I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The Lead, Employment Advocacy will support employment-focused advocacy and employer engagement initiatives across Ontario, with an initial focus on the Greater Toronto Area neighbourhood campaign connected to the relocation of CNIB’s Head Office to downtown Toronto. The role will help open doors with local businesses, build warm leads, and support the development of employer partnerships aligned with Come to Work and Skills Development Fund deliverables.

Working regionally and in collaboration with employment, outreach, and advocacy colleagues, the position will identify opportunities to engage employers, promote inclusive hiring practices, and strengthen pathways for people who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind to connect with meaningful employment opportunities.

• Lead advocacy activities that support employer engagement and inclusive hiring outcomes across Ontario, with a priority focus on the GTA accessible neighbourhoods campaign.
• Recruit, train, engage and actively manage an integrated team of community engagement volunteers who support and amplify CNIB’s advocacy work.
• Develop and maintain relationships with businesses, community partners, and employer prospects to generate warm leads for Come to Work employer partnership development.
• Collaborate closely with outreach and employment team members, including the GTA Outreach Coordinator, to ensure warm leads are appropriately transitioned into employer acquisition and engagement activities.
• Support Skills Development Fund deliverables by connecting advocacy efforts to measurable employer engagement, business outreach, and partnership‑building outcomes.
• Promote awareness of accessibility, inclusion, and the value of hiring people who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind among businesses and employer partners.
• Provide advocacy support to individuals who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind who experience advocacy issues when looking for work or within their existing workplace, and connect to other wraparound supports as required.
• Maintain and develop CNIB’s existing Accessible Communities resources that educate businesses on how to improve accessibility of their products and services, including their workforce.
• Track outreach activities, employer contacts, warm leads, follow‑up actions, and related outcomes to support reporting requirements and program accountability.
• Represent the organization professionally in external meetings, neighbourhood engagement activities, and employer‑facing conversations.
• Contribute to internal planning, coordination, and updates related to the relocation of CNIB’s Head Office, neighbourhood campaign, and regional employment advocacy priorities.

• Strong understanding of employment advocacy, inclusive hiring practices, accessibility, and barriers faced by people who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with businesses, community partners, and employer stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including confidence engaging external audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track outreach activity, follow‑up actions, and outcomes.
• Ability to work collaboratively across regional, program, outreach, and employment teams.
• Proficiency using Microsoft 365 tools and maintaining accurate records of engagement activities.

• Post‑secondary education in social services, business, community development, human resources, public relations, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in employer engagement, advocacy, community outreach, employment services, stakeholder relations, or business development.
• Experience working with disability inclusion, accessibility, or employment programs is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the GTA business community and neighbourhood‑based outreach strategies is considered an asset.
• Fixed‑term contract role for the period of June 30, 2026 to June 29, 2027.
• May include travel within Ontario, particularly within the Greater Toronto Area, to support employer outreach, community engagement, and neighbourhood campaign activities.
• Combination of office‑based and community‑based work (not work from home), depending on operational needs and campaign activities.

CNIB is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.