Description:
Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications, or designate, develop, lead and implement strategic, integrated communication plans and community engagement initiatives that advance the City’s image.
Responsibilities:
- Preparing, implementing and evaluating communications plans and projects by identifying emerging issues, monitoring the online communications landscape (social media, website) and providing strategic communications recommendations
- Building effective internal and external relationships across the Corporation and with stakeholders
- Performing media relations duties, including media event planning, media crisis and issues communications, developing media materials, speaking notes and key messages, and building media relationships
- Overseeing the City’s social media accounts, including developing and analyzing social media messages and multi-media content and analyzing social media strategies
- Managing the City’s corporate and community engagement websites and e-newsletters
- Providing graphic design services, including developing promotional materials, advertisements, newsletters and publications
- Developing and implementing timely communications during emergency situations, including in the Municipal Emergency Operations Centre
Requirements:
- Knowledge and skills normally associated with completion of a university degree or college diploma in journalism, communications, marketing or a related discipline plus a minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in a government environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills to deal effectively and tactfully with a broad range of elected officials, staff, other professionals, external agencies, other levels of government, the general public and the media
- Advanced written and oral communications skills, as well as strong presentation skills to both small and large groups and in public situations
- Sound understanding of both proactive and reactive media relations and demonstrated experience working with the with media
- Proven reasoning, research, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically
- Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure with short deadlines
- Possess initiative and self-reliance with ability to work independently or as a team member
- Advanced experience in designing, creating and editing reports, newsletters, brochures, advertisements and other print materials
- Demonstrated experience using relevant graphic design software applications (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), website content moderation systems and social media. Experience in video production/editing and Premiere Pro/Final Cut an asset
- Must be willing to work after hours and on weekends, as required
- Possession and maintenance of a valid, unrestricted Ontario Driver’s License, minimum Class “G”
- Must be able to supply own vehicle