About the job
CHIEF CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER
About the Opportunity
Our client, a prominent Ontario organization operating within a highly visible and evolving public-facing mandate, is seeking a strategic and influential executive to serve as its next Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (CCAO).
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CCAO will play a critical role in shaping the organization’s external positioning, stakeholder strategy, enterprise narrative, and overall reputation. This executive will lead an integrated Corporate Affairs function that brings together communications, public affairs, government relations, stakeholder engagement, corporate reporting, policy coordination, and strategic issues management.
Operating within a complex and politically sensitive environment, the CCAO will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team on emerging issues, reputational risk, government and stakeholder dynamics, and organizational positioning. The role will also help strengthen enterprise alignment through enhanced reporting, governance, analytics, and organizational insight.
This is a compelling opportunity for a highly strategic and externally focused executive who thrives in complex stakeholder environments and enjoys working at the intersection of public affairs, policy, communications, and organizational leadership. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape how the organization engages with government, stakeholders, industry, and the broader public while helping guide its continued growth and evolution.
The Role
The Chief Corporate Affairs Officer will lead the organization’s overall Corporate Affairs strategy and oversee a broad portfolio encompassing communications, media relations, government relations, stakeholder engagement, policy coordination, enterprise reporting, reputation management, and public awareness initiatives.
Working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, the CCAO will provide strategic counsel on politically sensitive matters, emerging risks, stakeholder considerations, and external positioning. The role will be responsible for ensuring alignment between organizational priorities, government direction, stakeholder expectations, and public messaging.
The successful candidate will strengthen the organization’s external profile and credibility while fostering a coordinated and enterprise-wide approach to communications, issues management, and stakeholder engagement. This executive will also lead and develop a high-performing Corporate Affairs function and help advance organizational maturity through improved governance, reporting, and strategic insight capabilities.
As the organization continues to evolve, the role will play an important part in supporting broader enterprise alignment and the continued development of integrated corporate services functions.
About You
The ideal candidate is an accomplished executive with significant leadership experience in corporate affairs, communications, public affairs, government relations, or related functions, preferably within the public sector, broader public sector, regulatory, or similarly complex stakeholder environments.
You bring strong political acuity and a deep understanding of Ontario’s government and policy landscape, along with expertise in reputation management, executive communications, stakeholder relations, and strategic issues management. You are recognized for your sound judgment, executive presence, and ability to navigate complex and high-profile environments with credibility and confidence.
You have demonstrated success advising senior executives, CEOs, Boards, Ministers, or public sector leaders and are skilled at translating complex policy, research, data, and stakeholder considerations into clear strategic direction and executive advice.
Most importantly, you are a collaborative and enterprise-minded leader who builds trusted relationships, fosters alignment across diverse stakeholders, and leads with integrity, maturity, and sound judgment.
Due to the confidential nature of this search, only candidates selected to move forward in the process will be contacted. Additional information regarding the organization and role will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage of the recruitment process.
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Margaret Murphy at 416-237-1500, ext. 234 or by email at margaret.murphy@hra.on.ca.
