The Toronto & York Region Labour Council is hiring a temporary full-time Executive Assistant to cover a one-year leave of absence. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal or continued employment depending on organizational needs and the applicable collective agreement.
We are looking for an experienced labour or political professional who can support the President and Executive Board, lead campaigns and programs, build strong relationships with affiliates and partners, and keep important work moving.
Reporting to the Assistant to the President or designate and working closely with the President, the Executive Assistant works across President and governance support, campaigns, affiliate and partner relationships, committees and worker networks, major events, research, correspondence and follow-up. It is a senior political role, but it does not carry management authority; routine clerical administration sits with other classifications.
A full job description is available here.
About the Labour Council
Founded in 1871, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council is a central labour body representing unions and workers across Toronto and York Region. We work with affiliates and community partners to strengthen unions, defend good jobs and public services, build political power, deepen equity and solidarity, develop labour leadership and advance climate justice.
Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan prioritizes deeper affiliate relationships, expanded affiliation, a culture of organizing, mobilization readiness, year-round political engagement, stronger work in York Region and leadership development.
The work includes:
- Prepare the President and governance work. Develop agendas, briefing materials, speaking notes, correspondence and background research, anticipate what is needed, and follow through on decisions and commitments.
- Build and maintain affiliate and partner relationships. Work with union leaders, affiliates, labour bodies, community allies, elected representatives and campaign partners, and strengthen participation in Labour Council work.
- Lead assigned campaigns and programs from planning through delivery, with clear objectives, timelines, partner roles, follow-up and reporting.
- Help design, organize and evaluate major Labour Council events and leadership programs, including the Leadership Institute, Lunar New Year banquet, Day of Mourning and Labour Day.
- Support committees and worker networks by preparing meetings and materials, moving work between meetings, supporting leadership and participation, and connecting committee activity to broader Labour Council priorities.
- Prepare briefings, reports, speaking notes, correspondence, presentations and other material that is accurate, politically sound and useful to the President and organization.
- Represent the Labour Council and President at meetings, events and conferences as assigned, exercising discretion and sound judgement with internal and external partners.
- Track commitments, deadlines, approvals and next steps across campaigns, governance, events and relationships so important work does not disappear between meetings.
- Keep campaign, relationship and decision records in shared systems, use the CRM and collaboration tools consistently, and document the information others need to continue the work.
- Work closely with a small staff team and advance solidarity, equity, anti-racism and social, economic, racial and climate justice through the work.
What we’re looking for
- At least five years of relevant union, political, campaign, community or organizational experience, including senior campaign, governance or executive-support work.
- Strong knowledge of the labour movement and the role unions and labour councils play in building working-class power.
- Experience supporting senior leaders or governance bodies, preparing strong briefings and materials, and handling sensitive information with discretion.
- Experience developing and implementing campaigns, programs, events or political projects from planning through hands-on delivery and follow-up.
- Sound political judgement, strong relationship skills, initiative and accountability while working with limited supervision and competing priorities.
- Excellent written and oral communication, research and briefing skills, with the ability to write clearly for different audiences and purposes.
- Strong project, meeting and time-management skills, including the ability to organize complex work, facilitate discussions and keep several files moving at once.
- Comfort with CRMs, Microsoft 365 or similar shared-office tools, digital campaign systems and consistent organizational record keeping, or the ability to learn them quickly.
- A commitment to equity and anti-racism, collaborative small-team work, and the flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required and travel reliably throughout Toronto and York Region; a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle are strongly preferred.
Knowledge of Toronto and York Region politics, public-education or public-services campaigning, affiliation or re-affiliation work, and a second language are assets.
Equivalent combinations of education, labour movement and relevant on-the-job experience will be considered.
Position Details
Position: Executive Assistant
Status: Temporary, full-time — one-year leave replacement (anticipated October 12, 2026 to October 8, 2027)
Potential continuation: The position may be renewed or lead to continued employment beyond the initial term, depending on organizational needs and the applicable collective agreement.
Location: Toronto & York Region Labour Council, 895 Don Mills Road, Toronto, with regular work throughout Toronto and York Region
Salary and benefits: $124,948.04 annually, effective January 1, 2026, plus benefits and scheduled increases under the applicable USW collective agreement.
Bargaining unit: United Steelworkers Local 3950
Generally Monday to Friday, with irregular hours and evening or weekend work when required for meetings, campaigns, events and other Labour Council activity.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and CV through the Labour Council’s online application form. Application deadline is September 25, 2026.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis, and only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council is committed to providing a fair and equitable work environment. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized people, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, young workers and members of other equity-deserving communities.
