Communications Consultant - Project Liaison (2.5 year term)

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

Job summary

Join the City of Kelowna’s communications team as a Communications Consultant - Project Liaison. This role focuses on strategic communications for community engagement initiatives, including the redevelopment of key recreation centers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in media relations and project management, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders. This position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Employer-paid comprehensive benefits package

Earned day off program

Paid vacation

Top pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ experience in communications.
• Demonstrated strengths in strategic communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans.
• Manage media relations and issues management.
• Develop corporate communication strategies.

Skills

Strategic Communications

Media Relations

Public Engagement

Customer Service

Event Coordination

Education

University degree in communications/public relations

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Communications Consultant - Project Liaison (2.5 year term)

Position Title Communications Consultant - Project Liaison (2.5 year term)

No. of Staff Required

No. of Staff Required 1

Position Type

Position Type FT

If Term position, enter length of Term in months

If Term position, enter length of Term in months 2.5 years (ending Dec 2027)

Position Groups

Position Groups CUPE Civic

Division

Division City Manager (DV100)

Department

Department Corporate Communications (DP248)

Department Name

Branch

Branch Community Engagement (BR158)

Organizational Information

Purpose of your Position - Non Union

Join the City of Kelowna’s communications team in delivering a full range of initiatives to support the City’s focus on customer service, community and business engagement. We are looking for an experienced strategic communications professional to join our community engagement team.

This position is focused on supporting the Building a Stronger Kelowna initiatives, including the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre, and new activity centers in Glenmore, Mission and Rutland; as well as other projects as assigned. Corporate and Council expectations for the project include frequent and positive engagement with the consultant/contractor project team, specific user groups, organizational partners and others.

As a member of the project team in communications, you will provide strategic advice about project audiences and communication needs. Specific tasks might include writing, editing and content creation, they could additionally include public engagement and notification, customer service, marketing campaigns, event coordination and community liaison.

Classification Summary - Union

Duties - Union

Results and Activities - Non union

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Posting Text

Physical Demands

This position may require heavy lifting and the ability to lift/move supplies and equipment for community engagement activities, along with other “standard” office work.

Special Instructions to Applicant

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.

Pay Rate

Pay Rate $87,000 - $101,500 annually

Posting Date

Posting Date 05/12/2025

Closing Date

Closing Date 05/28/2025

Days of Work

Days of Work Monday to Friday

Standard Hours per Day 7

Hours of Work

8am – 4pm

Work Location

Work Location CITY HALL

Specify Work Location

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Other Document 1

Other Document 2

Other Document 3

Other Document 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What level of post-secondary education have you completed in communications or digital marketing?
  • High school graduation
  • Some post-secondary courses
  • Certificate (1 year full time studies)
  • Diploma (2 years full time studies)
  • Bachelor's degree (3 to 4 years full time studies)
  • Master's Degree or other higher level post-graduate program
  • Other
• * 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 working in media relations?
  • 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 with writing web/social media content at a corporate level?
  • 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 with municipal governments and working with public officials (either internally or as a consultant)?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • 5 to 10 years
  • More than 10 years
• * 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
• * 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

To ensure the security of your data, you will be logged out due to inactivity in 3 minutes at
.

Any data not saved will be lost.

Click 'OK' to keep your session active.