Mark Lyons

Experience

• 

  Ontario CItizens' Assembly Secretariat

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2007

  Research and Policy Analyst

  • Researched electoral systems, translated complex policy issues into plain-language, and provided policy advice to senior staff.• Facilitated groups of Assembly members, enabling them to discuss and make decisions on intricate policy issues.• Developed a public consultation written submission process; reviewed, analysed, and summarised submissions; and provided expertise at public consultation meetings.

• 

  Office of the Fairness Commissioner

  Jun 2007 - Sept 2007

  Policy Advisor

  • Undertook research related to the registration practices of Ontario’s regulatory bodies.• Met with internal and external stakeholders to discuss policy issues. • Developed a policy project plan for the new office.

• 

  Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines

  Sept 2007 - Sept 2009

  Executive Assistant and Policy Advisor

  Provided operations and advisory services to the Assistant Deputy Minister. • Produced briefing, communication, and project management materials on complex files, including the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler, nuclear procurement, and Indigenous Gaming.• Contributed to negotiations with federal and municipal partners in the development of the business case and submission of the Building Canada Fund application for a $2.6 billion subway project.• Participated in meetings with senior staff and external advisors on project management, communications, policy, and financial issues touching on a variety of topics. Show less

• 

  Ontario Ministry of Finance

  Sept 2009 - Sept 2010

  Policy Advisor

  Served as the key point of contact between the Deputy Minister, Minister’s Office and program areas on pensions, tax, alcohol, and gaming policy, as well as provincial-municipal finance issues. • Advised the Deputy Minister, Minister’s Office, and senior officials on a variety of policy issues, including the reform of Canada/Ontario’s retirement income system.• Provided advisory support to the Deputy Minister in his role as Interim Chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, including attendance at meetings, and preparation of briefing materials. • Ensured accurate and timely responses to a wide range of inquiries, including coordination of the ministry’s freedom of information requests. Show less

• 

  Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

  Sept 2010 - Apr 2012

  Senior Policy Advisor, Automotive

  Managed the government’s relationship with key automakers and played a leading role in high-level commercial negotiations, as well as the development of a new provincial automotive strategy.• Conducted commercial due diligence to support Ontario’s decision to participate in General Motors’ $US20 billion Initial Public Offering, and the province’s sale of its stake in Chrysler.• Represented the province in negotiations with the federal government and Toyota to secure a $545 million investment, including a $70.8 million provincial contribution.• Developed and received support for a new provincial automotive strategy, including by completing extensive research and conducting detailed consultations with internal and external stakeholders.• Prepared executive and minister-level briefing notes, presentations, and communication materials on a variety of automotive industry issues and other corporate initiatives. Show less

• 

  Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat

  Apr 2012 - now

  Lead and coach a team of three managers, and a total organization of over twenty, responsible for ensuring government programs are people-focused, responsive and provide value for money, by:• Overseeing enterprise performance measurement efforts, including development of strategic KPIs and related frameworks for every department; annual reporting and assessment of over 400 KPIs; and ongoing training, capacity building and other improvement activities across the public service.• Designing the templates and tools used for the development of business cases and decision notes that facilitate ministerial decision-making at Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet, including financial, performance measurement, risk, human resources, and other components.• Leading a cross-functional, digital change management project modernizing how the province administers funding programs, including the use of an online system, and the development of new corporate policies and processes.• Championing Lean improvement across Treasury Board Secretariat, including through the creation of a Lean Taskforce, and new training requirements for every employee in the department.• Fostering an inclusive workplace, including by actively promoting inclusion, participating in mentorship programs, considering it as part of recruitment and succession planning efforts, and completing related training. • Supervised behavioural science projects that tested targeted interventions on client programs. Show less Established a new pilot team that has saved the government hundreds of thousands of dollars, simplified departmental operations, and increased organizational capacity through a realignment of functions.• Pioneered the design and implementation of a new consulting and capacity support function to provide expedited delivery of priorities across the enterprise. Since its initial pilot, the function has become an established source of in-house expertise, delivering dozens of successful projects across departments.• Conducted an operational and strategic review that resulted in a realignment of functions across the division, as well as the implementation of process improvements that remain in place today.• Oversaw the creation of a series of new standardized job descriptions, development of a divisional workforce strategy, and the delivery of new learning opportunities for staff. Show less Delivered robust due diligence and advice to support sound decision-making by ministries, senior executives, and Ministers. • Oversaw the delivery of financial, policy, program, and risk management analysis/advice; both written material and oral presentations; for ministry partners, senior executives, and Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet on hundreds of business cases. • Led analysis/advice on particularly complex/sensitive files (e.g., Hydro One’s Initial Public Offering, large-scale commercial investments, changes to executive compensation) in a demanding environment. • Managed a high-performing team through the recruitment and development of staff, setting of priorities and oversight of all deliverables.• Provided leadership for the team’s contributions, both written text and financial analysis, for key government communications, including the Budget, Fall Economic Statement, and Public Accounts.• Built partnerships, collaborated with clients, and nurtured the team to deliver sound advice, support timely decision-making, and ensure delivery of government priorities in a fast-paced environment. Show less

  • Director, Strategy and Continuous Improvement

    Jun 2019 - now

  • Manager, Central Resources Unit

    Apr 2016 - Jun 2019

  • Team Lead, Justice and Non-Tax Revenue, then Manager, General Government

    Apr 2012 - Apr 2016