Communications Consultant (2 year term)

City of Kelowna; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Canada is seeking a Communications Consultant to develop and implement strategic communication plans. The role involves managing media relations, providing strategic communications support to senior management, and overseeing the city's corporate communication channels. Candidates should have a degree in communications/public relations along with a minimum of five years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary between $87,000 to $101,500 annually, alongside opportunities for growth, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Earned days off

Paid vacation

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years experience in communications.
• Demonstrated strengths in strategic communications.
• Ability to conduct valid research projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans.
• Serve as communications lead for key corporate service departments.
• Manage media relations and proactivity in crisis management.
• Oversee development of corporate communication channels.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Critical thinking

Effective written and oral communications

Project management

Education

University degree in communications/public relations

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

If Term position, enter length of Term in months

If Term position, enter length of Term in months 24 Months

Position Groups

Position Groups Management and Exempt

Division

Division Communications (DV101)

Department

Department Communications (DP101-1)

Department Name

Branch

Branch Community Engagement (BR158)

Organizational Information

Purpose of your Position - Non Union

The Communications Consultant provides internal and external strategic communications primarily for the City Manager and Mayor and Council. The position also develops and delivers communications and marketing strategies to maximize effectiveness of corporate priority plans and departmental initiatives.

Classification Summary - Union

Duties - Union

Results and Activities - Non union

Strategic communications

• Communications lead to develop and implement strategic communications plans that support City Manager and City Council as well as the corporate priority plans..
• Develop solutions and processes for complex and varied corporate initiatives – how we do things is just important as what we do. Create implement evaluate and continually adapt both a corporate external and internal communications strategy that guides the work of the corporate communications department
• Conducts and analyses key research to ensure strong understanding of citizens key stakeholders community issues/trends and communications preferences. Coordinates the work of relief staff and external consultants.
• Communications lead for key corporate service departments including Human Resources (including labour relations) and financial services.

Media relations and issues management – media is the number one way citizens learn about the City

• Proactively develops communications solutions for senior managers before projects go public to ensure process will enhance or mitigate corporate reputation
• Anticipates media interest and proactively prepares Mayor and Council and City Manager to enhance or mitigate negative impact to the organization
• Develops media relations strategies for complex and varied business challenges – preference is to be proactive must be able to quickly develop and implement reactive media strategies for emergent issues
• Communications lead for Regional Emergency Operations Center to ensure channels and processes are operational for large scale emergencies throughout the Central Okanagan.

Corporate communication channels and reputation management

• Develops communications strategies to shape and influence city’s reputation to ensure ongoing public and staff support for city initiatives
• Responsible for developing and implementing key corporate communications platforms – platforms which are key to delivering city services and information are continually changing in today’s 24/7 virtual world.

Communications Standards

• Develops corporate communications policies frameworks and guidelines that guide the actions of all city staff
• Negotiates branding programs with third party partners to ensure citizens recognize city-owned properties and value for money
• Responsible for RFP’s and contracts that govern communications

Manage Budget

• Varies annually between $50000 and $100000
• Builds and manages individual project communications budgets: build case secure funding and manage funds appropriately.

Knowledge - Non Union

University degree in communications/public relations or related field. Must have a deep and broad understanding of communications theory strategic communications stakeholder analysis media relations theory and agenda setting public consultation and research. The Communications Consultant must be able to assess various data and input to develop effective solutions.

Skills & Abilities - Non Union

The candidate must have a minimum of five years experience in communications and have demonstrated strengths in strategic communications. Specific skills include critical thinking to ensure effective recommendations to address a broad array of communications and business challenges. Other core skills include effective written and oral communications and ability to conduct valid research projects. The individual must be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment where all challenges must be approached differently and no two solutions are the same; remaining within best practices guidelines. A high degree of interpersonal skills that include coaching and consulting are a must. This person must be able to manage multiple projects including resources (staff consultants, contractors) with competing priorities and tight deadlines. Must work collaboratively with City Manager Mayor third party partners and city employees to build productive relationships.

Additional Hiring Information

The annual salary for this position ranges from $87,000 to $101,500, depending on qualifications and experience. Most candidates can expect to start in the lower to mid-range of this scale, with opportunities for salary growth based on performance and tenure. We offer progressive employment practices and a great work environment. This is an exempt position that offers a competitive salary, employer-paid comprehensive benefits package, an earned day off program, paid vacation and one of Canada’s top pension plans.

The City of Kelowna is committed to being an organization that values and reflects its community’s diverse population, and to fostering an equitable, inclusive and progressive work environment where everyone can be their authentic self and feels a sense of belonging.

Posting Date: 12/23/2025

Closing Date: 01/16/2026

Days of Work: Monday to Friday

Standard Hours per Day: 7

Hours of Work: 8am to 4pm

Work Location: CITY HALL

Documents Needed to Apply

• Required Documents
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
• Optional Documents
  • Other Document 1

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• How did you first hear about this career opportunity (select all that apply):
  • Internal Job Posting
  • Referred by a City of Kelowna employee
  • Word of mouth
  • Career Opportunities webpage on kelowna.ca
  • Career Opportunities email from City of Kelowna (e-Subscribe)
  • LinkedIn
  • Indeed.com
  • Professional membership or affiliated website (e.g. CPA, CPHR, PIBC etc)
  • Facebook
  • Other external job search website
  • Other social media source
  • Other
  • Newspaper Advertisement
• Have you previously been employed by the City of Kelowna?
  • Yes
  • No
• How many years of experience do you have developing communication strategies?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• How many years of experience do you have booking and placing ads using print, web and social media?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• How many years of experience do you have working in media relations?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• Describe your level of experience with advertising and creative agencies, radio, and digital media as well as graphics and print houses.
  • None
  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
• What level of proficiency do you have using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point?
  • No experience
  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert
• What level of proficiency do you have using Adobe Creative Suites to create graphic presentation materials?
  • No experience
  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • I have experience with a similar program