Communications Advisor

Join us in playing a pivotal role in shaping Edmonton's future! The City of Edmonton is seeking a dynamic Communications Advisor to develop and execute high-impact communications strategies for transformative economic development and downtown revitalization projects. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive public involvement, enhance the City's profile and attract significant investment.

In this position, you will raise awareness of the City's efforts to create a vibrant and livable downtown, while helping empower local businesses to thrive. Your creative content strategies will be crucial to the success of Urban Planning and Economy’s goals and objectives. You'll also help lead strategic, integrated marketing and communications plans in collaboration with other teams from across the organization in order to amplify public awareness of the City’s economic development efforts (including economic growth, investment and development). Your ongoing mission: manage public expectations and solidify the City's reputation as a business-friendly powerhouse.

What will you do?

• Provide strategic marketing and communications advice to program areas, ensuring a commitment to moving ideas and projects forward in a positive and collaborative spirit.
• Lead the charge in developing integrated communications plans, leveraging strategic communications, marketing, engagement and external relations activities.
• Maintain a panoramic view of corporate, departmental and branch issues and priorities, keeping a line of sight into City Council, stakeholder groups, professional associations and other orders of government, in order to fuel your communications strategies.
• Engineer marketing and communications activities that effectively share information, ignite public engagement opportunities, celebrate project milestones and protect and enhance the City's reputation.
• Deliver timely and responsive issues management, crafting powerful key messages, speaking notes, and briefing notes that cut through the noise.
• Unleash your creativity, using innovative tactics and working with internal and external design, web and creative teams using approved City visual identity guidelines both internally and externally.
• Write, edit, review, coordinate and manage a wide array of marketing and communications products, including integrated marketing and communications plans, content strategies, news releases, ads, web content, signage, fact sheets, social media posts, blog posts, stories, newsletters, reports and videos, as well as other materials that will amplify our message.
• Proactively take the reins on media relations, planning and coordinating rapid responses to media inquiries, proactively identifying issues and preparing spokespeople and spearheading media events.

For more on this portfolio, see edmonton.ca/business-economy.

Qualifications

• Completion of a recognized University degree OR diploma in communications, public relations or related discipline.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in a corporate communications, public relations or public affairs position with a four-year degree OR four years of related experience with a diploma.

Assets:

• Accreditation in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) would be an asset.
• Knowledge of City of Edmonton initiatives and programs related to urban planning and economy would be an asset.

Skills required for success:

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with extensive knowledge of communications practices, principles and techniques.
• Considerable background experience or knowledge of allied fields, such as advertising, creative services, audio and visual production, social media and content creation.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels of an organization, including senior leaders managing operational and policy/program areas and contractors or consultants.
• Superior issues identification, management and media relations skills.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong project management and event planning skills.
• Experience and proficiency with contemporary computer technologies (e.g., Google platform, etc.).
• Alignment to our Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework.
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm).
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion.
• Alignment to our Leadership Competencies.
• Applicants may be tested.

Work Environment:

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52.
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Salary Range: $46.149 - $58.155 Hourly $81,303.00 - $102,454.57 Annually

Talent Acquisition Consultant: PO/MM

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

Classification Title: Public Information Officer II
Posting Date: Apr 08, 2025
Closing Date: Apr 23, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: CSU 52
Department: Urban Planning and Economy
Work Location(s): 11th Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue Edmonton T5J 0J4