Overview

Provides communications support for sensitive and strategic projects including but not limited to the City’s strategic plan and election. Provides communications and marketing guidance and support to staff through the development, implementation and evaluation of communications and marketing plans, campaigns, activities and materials. Supports the Corporate Communications and Marketing (CCM) director and manager with corporate media relations. Supports the director and manager with strategic issues management. 

(This position is under review)

(Temporary Full Time for Approximately 12 months)

Responsibilities

Issues management and media relations support:

• Works with the Director and Manager to manage sensitive issues to improve or maintain the City’s reputation and protect the brand.
• Writes and edits issues management plans and briefing notes related to high profile or sensitive issues.  
• Drafts press releases and distributes to relevant stakeholders (e.g., local media outlets).
• Monitors and reports on local and national media to identify potential or emerging issues.
• Advises partners on communications tactics to address escalating customer service issues or communicate changes to stakeholders.
• Supports the development of communication materials in an emergency/crisis and provides tactical support to the Emergency Information Officer (EIO) as needed.
• Supports the Manager, CCM with daily media relations, including liaising with the media.
• Identifies story ideas to pitch to local media; develops key messages and proposes to partners and media outlets.  
• Responds to inquiries from the public as required. 

Strategic communications and marketing:

• Develops and implements internal and external communications plans of a significant, highly sensitive, and/or confidential nature, in coordination with the CCM division leadership.  
• Plans, coordinates and executes multi‑channel marketing campaigns, including digital, print, social and experiential tactics to increase resident awareness of and engagement with corporate programs, services and initiatives.
• Researches  communications and marketing trends, strategies and best practices.
• Meets with partners to develop compelling and bold communications and marketing campaigns with strategic objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), timelines and budgets.
• Advises on appropriate tactics and strategies to promote programs, services, projects, initiatives and achieve objectives.
• Writes and edits clear, engaging content for various media (e.g., print, radio, video, social media, websites, newsletters), tailoring key messages to identified audiences.
• Evaluates effectiveness of campaigns and recommends improvements.
• Identifies opportunities for joint project promotion  
• Supports CCM annual planning, identifying and supporting strategic priorities for the City. 

Internal communications support:

• Proofreads and edits content created by other staff members as needed.
• Provides strategic communications and marketing expertise to special project teams.
• Conducts interviews, writes and curates content for corporate internal needs (e.g., staff newsletters and publications, intranet feature stories), ensuring messaging is accurate, consistent and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Creates and maintains self-service toolkits that support City staff in communicating organizational changes, staff updates, new policies, shifts in corporate direction.
• Works with CCM and City leadership to identify and support internal communications needs (e.g. drafts proactive messaging for employees, and works with leadership to ensure staff receive timely, transparent information through the most effective internal channels).
• Writes speaking points and messaging for speeches, events, announcements and media interviews. 

Other duties:

• Performs on-call/after-hours communications duties on evenings and weekends, on a rotational basis, as assigned.
• Performs duties in accordance with corporate confidentiality standards.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.  

Education

• 3-year degree or diploma in a related field. 

Experience

• 4-7 years of related and relevant experience including leading or supporting strategic communications. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of communications and marketing theories, principles and tactics.
• Knowledge of communications and marketing trends and best practices, including content creation, strategies and user expectations and preferences.
• Knowledge of social media tools and best practices.
• Knowledge of Canadian Press Style Guide.
• Knowledge and understanding of copyright and infringement legislation or policies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to write key messages and content for various mediums.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer with the ability to use software programs such as Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media web-based applications.
• Organizational skills to work on multiple projects simultaneously.  
• Ability to develop and implement effective plans and campaigns for a variety of projects, initiatives and programs.  
• Ability to synthesize content into concise, meaningful information for intended audience.
• Ability to develop creative concepts for campaign initiatives.  
• Ability to adapt writing styles for different target audiences.
• Ability to recommend appropriate communications strategies and approaches.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member.