Ontario Dental Association
Advisor, Government Relations & Advocacy * Flexible location of work (remote, in-office, or hybrid) * Make a real impact on oral health policy in Ontario and Canada * Meaningful non-profit organization work Dentists like to smile too! And there’s nothing that makes them happier than the support of their own dedicated professional association. We’re the Ontario Dental Association, and we represent over 90% of dentists in Ontario: advocating on their behalf to improve dentistry for both dentists and their patients—and keeping Ontarians smiling. Working with other health-care professionals, governments, the private sector and the public, the ODA provides a wide range of services, resources, and governance supports to empower our members and lead the profession forward. What we’re looking for At the Ontario Dental Association (ODA), our advocacy shapes how dental care is understood, supported, and delivered across the province. We’re looking for a politically astute, strategically minded Advisor to join our Government Relations and Advocacy team — someone who thrives at the intersection of public policy, partner engagement, and strategic communication. What You’ll Do As an Advisor, you will: * Track and interpret political, legislative, and regulatory developments affecting oral health and the dental profession in Ontario. * Shape and implement advocacy strategies that advance the ODA’s priorities. * Draft high-quality briefings, submissions, and political correspondence for use by staff, members, and external partners. * Engage with ODA members, grassroots advocates, and political partners — becoming a go-to expert on public policy issues and government dental programs. * Support volunteer committees, help maintain compliance with lobbying regulations, and collaborate cross-functionally to align policy messaging. What You’ll Bring * A degree in political science or a related field. * 3+ years in a government relations, public affairs, or political support role — ideally with exposure to healthcare or regulated professions. * Exceptional writing and communication skills — clear, persuasive, and audience-aware. * A strategic mindset with strong analytical and judgment skills. * Experience navigating Ontario’s political and legislative landscape, including direct support of legislators and elected officials. * A collaborative, relationship-first approach — you’re trusted by partners and comfortable in fast-moving environments. Working at the ODA This is a full-time, permanent position. As part of the ODA’s Flexible Location of Work policy, remote, in-person, or hybrid work options are available, with evening or weekend availability required for scheduled governance meetings. In addition to a competitive salary, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits plan that includes dental (naturally!), vacation days, personal days, and a health-spending account. ODA is proud to be one of the GTA’s Top Employers 2025 (https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-ontario-dental-association) – we think that says a lot about the culture and work environment we’ve built over the last 150+ years. We are all about growth and learning: every position in our organization offers both challenges and opportunities, and we encourage all our staff to establish themselves within and beyond their individual roles. How to Apply Our online application will give you the option to apply to this role as a complete person – not just a resume. The application will assess your qualifications, personality traits and workplace preferences, and should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. After submitting, you’ll receive an email inviting you to log in and view your assessment results. You’ll also need to provide a cover letter with your application. We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as Indigenous people, visible minorities, people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, veterans, women and people with disabilities. If we can make your application easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact us using the “Help” button. We will review applications with priority given to thos
