Shape the Future of Regulation in One of North America’s Most Dynamic Sectors
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is seeking a visionary Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) to play a defining role in shaping the future of regulation across some of Ontario’s most complex, high-profile, and rapidly evolving sectors.
As a key member of the Executive Committee, the CSO provides enterprise-wide strategic leadership at a time of significant transformation, guiding regulatory modernization, market expansion, digital integration, and government engagement across alcohol, gaming (all verticals), retail cannabis, and horse racing markets.
This is a rare opportunity to operate at the intersection of public policy, regulation, and strategy, with direct influence on provincial priorities and outcomes-based regulation in multi-billion-dollar, globalized industries.
About the AGCO
The AGCO is an arm’s-length regulatory commission with one of the broadest and most complex mandates in Ontario.
It oversees and regulates alcohol, gaming, retail cannabis, and horse racing industries that generate tens of billions of dollars annually for the provincial economy and position Ontario as a global regulatory leader.
Over the past several years, the AGCO has led landmark initiatives, including introducing and administering regulatory frameworks for:
- Liquor retail expansion
- Launch of iGaming and online sports betting
- Regulation of recreational cannabis
- Expansion of electronic charitable gaming
- Oversight of horse racing integrity, wagering, and animal welfare
The organization continues to evolve rapidly, requiring strong strategic leadership, political insight, and regulatory excellence.
The Role
Reporting to the CEO and Registrar, the Chief Strategy Officer leads a broad and influential portfolio that includes:
- Strategic Policy and Market Insight
- Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance
- Corporate Affairs and Agency Oversight
- Enterprise Project Management
- Government Relations and Accountability
- Freedom of Information
As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Registrar and Board, the CSO helps define AGCO’s strategic direction, ensures alignment across the organization, and enables informed decision-making in a fast-moving government and regulatory environment.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Enterprise Impact
- Shape and advance AGCO’s corporate strategy, performance measurement, policy, regulatory agenda, and long-term priorities.
- Champion large-scale transformation, modernization, and change across a complex, multi-division organization.
- Ensure enterprise alignment as new mandates, markets, and regulatory frameworks are integrated.
- Lead outcomes-based planning, performance measurement, and corporate reporting.
Policy, Insight and Regulatory Strategy
- Drive the development of integrated, evidence-based regulatory policies across all lines of business in coordination with other AGCO departments.
- Monitor and analyze market trends, emerging risks, and international regulatory developments.
- Balance public-interest objectives with economic, political, and operational realities.
- Lead enterprise benchmarking and performance scorecard initiatives.
Government and Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as AGCO’s primary senior liaison with the Ministry of the Attorney General and other key ministries.
- Provide trusted, timely advice to senior government officials and political leadership.
- Navigate sensitive, high-profile issues involving ministers, MPPs, media, and international stakeholders.
- Lead strategic responses to agency accountability requirements, FOI requests, and government reporting.
Leadership and Culture
- Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary team.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and smart risk-taking.
- Champion diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and inclusive leadership across the organization.
The Ideal Candidate
You are a seasoned executive leader with:
- A proven ability to lead enterprise strategy, transformation, and cross-organizational change.
- Significant senior-level experience in government, regulation, public policy, or complex public-sector organizations with knowledge of and access to key political stakeholders.
- Exceptional political acuity, judgment, and stakeholder credibility.
- Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, governance, and public-interest mandates.
- Outstanding communication, advisory, and relationship management skills.
- Experience managing teams and working on cross-divisional projects.
- Comfort managing issues and relationships in a high profile, fast paced and frequently changing public sector environment.
- A leadership style that is inclusive, collaborative, decisive, and values driven.
A university degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Economics, or Business Administration is strongly preferred.
Overall knowledge of the alcohol, gaming (land-based, igaming, cgaming, charitable, and lottery), retail cannabis, and horse racing industries is an asset.
Why This Role
- Influence public policy and regulatory outcomes at the highest levels.
- Lead strategy in one of Ontario’s most impactful agencies.
- Operate at the intersection of government, industry, and public interest.
- Shape the future of regulation in rapidly evolving, global markets.
How to Apply
To express interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to:
Marty Greenaway, Search Consultant
mgreenaway@feldmandaxon.com