John Gross Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Working within the Oversight and Agency Governance Division

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Working within the Agency Relations and Accountability Division, I served as an effective liaison between the ministry and a diverse portfolio of agencies, attractions, and transfer payment entities. My main duties included supporting effective governance, facilitating accountability and approval cycles, and providing evidence-based strategic advice to support executive decision making related to special projects and emerging issues.• Led oversight of the ministry’s operational… Show more Working within the Agency Relations and Accountability Division, I served as an effective liaison between the ministry and a diverse portfolio of agencies, attractions, and transfer payment entities. My main duties included supporting effective governance, facilitating accountability and approval cycles, and providing evidence-based strategic advice to support executive decision making related to special projects and emerging issues.• Led oversight of the ministry’s operational attractions; served as a one-window contact for consultation on day-to-day matters and special projects.• Compiled time-sensitive responses to information requests; coordinated cross-ministry reviews of complex products, including business cases, legal agreements, and central agency submissions; provided constructive feedback tailored to executives and staff.• Conducted and presented strategic analysis as part of the business planning process; drafted briefing notes, slide decks, and informational reports.• Served as a unit or divisional representative on ministry working groups. Show less

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I worked closely with the leadership team at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to improve existing programs in furtherance of organizational goals. My main duties included providing evidence-based, strategic advice to senior management and leading special projects from design to implementation such as a backlog reduction plan and process improvements.• Developed and implemented data-driven improvements to existing programs and business processes. Identified misalignment between… Show more I worked closely with the leadership team at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to improve existing programs in furtherance of organizational goals. My main duties included providing evidence-based, strategic advice to senior management and leading special projects from design to implementation such as a backlog reduction plan and process improvements.• Developed and implemented data-driven improvements to existing programs and business processes. Identified misalignment between current state operations, organizational goals, and applicable policy instruments.• Supported effective change management through proactive internal communications and by recording institutional knowledge. Provided oversight and mentorship to the administrative team.• Oversaw correspondence operations including responses to media and stakeholder inquiries. Drafted monthly executive office briefing decks, annual report content, and updates to web content including tribunal forms and guides. Show less

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I supported the successful transition between successive Associate Chairs of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and facilitated their full participation in policy and decision-making processes. I proactively responded to emerging issues and coordinated project delivery, leading by example and championing a culture of organizational excellence.• Served as a trusted sounding board for the Tribunal’s leadership team, identifying linkages between organizational priorities, day to day… Show more I supported the successful transition between successive Associate Chairs of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and facilitated their full participation in policy and decision-making processes. I proactively responded to emerging issues and coordinated project delivery, leading by example and championing a culture of organizational excellence.• Served as a trusted sounding board for the Tribunal’s leadership team, identifying linkages between organizational priorities, day to day operations, and emerging issues.• Drafted executive level correspondence and responses to media inquiries; reduced response times through process improvements.• Organized multiple stakeholder engagement sessions; synthesized public feedback, recommended changes to policy proposals, and reported findings. Show less

Toronto, Ontario

As the office’s in-house expert on matters touching upon the constitution, policy, and protocol, I played a leading role in developing the Lieutenant Governor’s activity program, successfully negotiated and executed communications strategies, as well as creatively and tactfully resolved sensitive issues in furtherance of overall strategy.• Briefed the Lieutenant Governor on current events including government initiatives and legislative proceedings. Provided strategic advice on the… Show more As the office’s in-house expert on matters touching upon the constitution, policy, and protocol, I played a leading role in developing the Lieutenant Governor’s activity program, successfully negotiated and executed communications strategies, as well as creatively and tactfully resolved sensitive issues in furtherance of overall strategy.• Briefed the Lieutenant Governor on current events including government initiatives and legislative proceedings. Provided strategic advice on the exercise of constitutional powers in novel circumstances and in a changing media landscape. • Directed speechwriting and correspondence operations. Managed a team of writers and approved translations. Enforced editorial and design standards.• Coordinated multiple creative projects (funded in part through grants by the Government of Canada) marking significant anniversaries, including art exhibitions and publications; successfully negotiated agreements with artists, designers, and service providers.• Developed internal policies, guidelines, and procedures. Prepared policy and planning documents, including project budgets, annual reports, and the Estimates Briefing Book. Show less

Toronto, Ontario

I led a modern communications strategy championing transparency and accountability. As part of this, I developed multiple plain-language websites and launched the first social media accounts for any Lieutenant Governor in Canada. These efforts were positively assessed in academic literature and in the media.

Toronto, Ontario

• Developed a social media plan for the Lieutenant Governor.• Created public communications including media releases and commemorative messages.• Drafted correspondence to be signed by the Lieutenant Governor.• Researched incoming invitations and proposals for public activities.

Master Of Arts, Public Policy And Administration

• Published a major research paper proposing a theoretical framework to assess democratic innovations related to citizen participation.

Certificate, Translation Into French

Honours Bachelor Of Arts, Spanish, French As A Second Language, Political Science

Degree conferred with Distinction.