Communications Advisor - Elections

City of Mississauga; Mississauga; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Canada is seeking an experienced Communications Advisor to lead communications for the 2026 Municipal Election. The role involves strategic planning, media relations, and developing effective communication strategies aimed at informing voters. Candidates should have a strong background in communications, with a minimum of five years' experience, and a postgraduate degree in a related field. This position offers a hybrid work environment and a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ work experience in communications field.
• Awareness of municipal government and election-related legislation.
• Strong English oral and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategy for the 2026 Municipal Election.
• Provide strategic communications support to senior leadership.
• Create and edit high-quality communication materials.

Skills

Project management

Strategic communications

Media relations

Community engagement

Event coordination

Education

Post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate in communications or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

WordPress

Google Analytics

Job description

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Communications Advisor - Elections

Contract Duration: 15 Months
Number of Positions:1
Closing Date:09/30/2025

We’re seeking a highly skilled Elections Communications Advisor to join the City of Mississauga’s Strategic Communications & Initiatives (SC&I) team. This role is focused on communications and requires direct experience in the field.

Reporting to the Manager of Media, PR, and City Communications, while being accountable to both the City’s Elections team and the City Clerk, this position will provide dedicated communications support for Mississauga’s 2026 Municipal Election. As a core member of the Elections team, the Advisor will develop and implement the City of Mississauga\'s 2026 Municipal Election communications strategy, aimed at informing eligible Mississauga voters about the election.

Collaborating closely with the Elections team and the City’s Media, PR, and Communications team, this role includes providing expert guidance on target audiences, messaging, and effective communications channels. The Advisor will recommend, develop, and implement internal and external communications materials, including media releases, social media content, key messages and other communications tactics, all aligned with the City of Mississauga\'s aim to run a fair and transparent election.

This position requires collaboration with subject matter experts and senior leaders across various departments to provide guidance and communications support, create compelling content for various platforms, and recommend innovative and inclusive storytelling approaches.

If you have experience in strategic communications and can thrive in a fast-paced environment, you are encouraged to apply. This position involves a hybrid work arrangement, combining both in-office and remote work.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Deliver a thoughtful, creative and innovative strategic communications strategy for all aspects of the 2026 Municipal Election.
• Understand target audiences and identify the appropriate strategic communications channels to reach the target audiences.
• Provide senior leadership and other operational leads with strategic communications support and counsel on messaging and communications materials.
• Implement the communications strategy within budget.
• Proactively identify potential communications challenges and opportunities related to the Municipal Election.
• Collaborate with teams within SC&I to develop and edit high-quality, compelling content (e.g. news releases, key messages, social media posts, media stories, feature articles, newsletter copy, website copy, staff messages, video scripts) that supports the Municipal Election.
• Follow media coverage trends to gauge public sentiment, identify opportunities and provide risk mitigation advice.
• Manage issues and provide responses to contentious complaints or issues when escalated.
• Develop an outreach plan to target multicultural communities and ensure they understand the Elections process and key dates.
• Work with multiple stakeholders to gather the necessary information to draft and edit reports and other materials, ensuring consistency in tone and style.
• Develop and draft Communications and Marketing materials for the Elections.
• Monitor Elections trends, research, current and emerging Communications technologies (AI) and practices, and identify opportunities to improve communications approaches.
• Work effectively with inter-departmental teams, senior leaders and working groups.
• Deliver consistent, high-quality work and performance.
• Protect, support and maintain the City’s reputation and vision and commitment to upholding the integrity of the election process.
• Support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Comply with relevant City policies.
• Must be able to attend meetings, events and activities outside of regular business hours and some weekends (e.g. meetings, events, emergencies or to meet deadlines).

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate in communications, mass media, public relations, or related discipline.
• Minimum of five years’ work experience in communications field (public relations, issues management, media relations, municipal elections).
• Awareness and knowledge of municipal government, legislation and regulations, including but not limited to the Ontario Municipal Elections Act, the Municipal Elections Modernization Act, the Municipal Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Education Act.
• Ability to multi-task while functioning in a fast-paced workplace.
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Competencies required in all aspects of communications including but not limited to project management, issues management, media relations, community engagement, event co-ordination and internal communications.
• Communications experience in Elections management and other related sectors will be an asset.
• Experience and strong knowledge of how to develop engaging content and tailor messages for different social media channels/platforms and segmented audience groups.
• Ability to solve problems and look for creative and viable solutions.
• Ability to communicate with honesty, sensitivity, diplomacy and confidentiality and act tactfully in a political environment.
• Ability to work creatively and effectively as a member of a larger team.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Understanding of municipal government and the importance of elections.
• Solid English oral and writing skills and ability to develop content for diverse audiences and editing.
• Familiar with Canadian Press Style.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Web publishing applications (e.g. WordPress), social media platforms, video development and data analytics (e.g. Google Analytics).
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) accreditation - Communication Management Professional (CMP), Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP); Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS); Master of Communications Management (MCM) is a desired asset.
• Experience in a corporate and/or municipal sector is preferred.

Hourly Rate/Salary: $43.19 - $57.59
Hours of Work: 35
Work Location: Civic Centre
Department/Division/Section: CMO/City Manager\'s Office, CMO/Strategic Communications&Initiatives, Media and Business Communications
Non-Union/Union: Non Union

We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. You can also check your application status in your candidate profile online.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City of Mississauga is committed to creating a respectful and supportive workplace that fosters a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion which broadly reflects the communities and residents we serve. Throughout the employee life cycle, the City is working to include an EDI lens to attract, retain and support the growth of diverse talent.

Learn more about the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Accommodations
The City of Mississauga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to removing barriers in our selection process for people with visible and invisible disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Mississauga will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please complete the following Accommodation Request Form and have it emailed to [e-mail] citing the Job ID and Job Title. This will inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.