Communications Specialist

Building Ontario Fund; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Building Ontario Fund is seeking a Communications Specialist in Toronto. This role emphasizes external communications for infrastructure projects, including media relations and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates are experienced communicators with project management skills and a proven track record in public relations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Communications or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in communications, journalism, or public relations.
• Proficiency with MS Office and social media tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop content for project announcements and corporate priorities.
• Support media relations and prepare materials.
• Coordinate communications strategies and monitor social media.

Skills

Strategic communication

Public relations

Crisis communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Written communication

Education

Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism

Tools

MS Office

Social media content tools

Job description

The Opportunity

Headquartered in Toronto, the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) is a new independent, board-governed agency that will facilitate investment by trusted institutional investors in critically needed large-scale infrastructure projects within the province.

The agency’s mandate is to invest in, and seek to attract investment from, qualified institutional investors, public sector entities, governments, and Indigenous communities in Ontario infrastructure projects that will generate revenue and are in the public’s interest. BOF will do this by:

• Investing in infrastructure and appropriately allocating risks amongst the Corporation and other investors
• Structuring proposals and negotiating agreements with investors in infrastructure projects
• Receiving and assessing unsolicited ideas and proposals for infrastructure
• Providing advisory services with respect to financing infrastructure projects

Reporting to the Head, Communications, the Communications Specialist role plays a key part in amplifying the Building Ontario Fund’s work to catalyze investment in priority infrastructure across Ontario. It focuses on external communications that showcase high-impact projects, public announcements, media relations, and executive engagement at events and conferences. At the same time, it supports the organization’s talent strategy by contributing to internal communications that boost employee engagement and continue to make BOF an employer of choice. The ideal candidate is a compelling writer who thrives in a fast-paced, growing organization and navigates changing priorities with ease across both internal and external communications.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Develop content for project announcements to amplify the profile of Building Ontario Fund’s investments, ensuring clear and consistent messaging across all channels, including news releases, social media, website, and internal platforms.
• Develop external communications to amplify corporate priorities, including the business plan and annual report, collaborating with internal department staff to gather relevant information, drafting and editing content, and facilitating approvals.
• Support media relations, including developing responses to inquiries in a timely manner and preparing materials (e.g., news releases, Q&As).
• Prepare for media issues, working closely with internal teams to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging. Monitor social media for emerging issues, prepare key messages, produce reports on analytics.
• Support executives’ participation in speaking engagements and conferences through event research, tailored message development, comprehensive briefing materials, and coordination with event organizers to ensure seamless logistics.
• Support social media content strategies, craft engaging copy that reflects the brand voice and drives audience engagement, and source visuals to enhance messages, working with external vendors where appropriate.
• Contribute to development and delivery of the internal communications strategy aligned with the Building Ontario Fund’s mandate, values, and priorities, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, applicable directives, and accessibility standards.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in communications, journalism, or public relations, including the successful delivery of high-profile communication plans, such as public sector project announcements, for a wide range of stakeholders.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of contemporary communications theories, principles, and practices to: provide expert advice, develop and implement strategic communication plans, and coordinate effective communication services; advise internal and external stakeholders on defining communication objectives, crafting key messages, identifying target audiences, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Knowledge of information gathering and dissemination techniques with experience in developing communications tools and products for a variety of media to support the announcement and promotion of priority projects
• Strong written communication skills to quickly and effectively distill complex information into clear, impactful messages and create compelling, tailored content across external and internal platforms.
• A solid understanding of the media environment, including risks and opportunities
• Knowledge and experience in crisis communications, with an ability to respond quickly and effectively under pressure.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills to: compose relevant communication materials and tools to support the announcement and promotion of projects; assess the quality and relevance of communication materials prepared, identify emerging issues and trends, and anticipate consequences to determine appropriate response.
• Interpersonal, collaboration and partnership building skills to: comfortably engage and foster relationships with partners across the organization and other government stakeholders; quickly build rapport and credibility with a range of stakeholders to ensure cohesive communication efforts in the delivery of communication initiatives.
• Project management skills to plan and deliver communication initiatives. Keen eye for details to ensure flawless execution of communications products.
• Resiliency, organizational and time management skills to adapt quickly and deliver results in fast-moving situations and make progress even when the path forward isn’t clear.
• Proficient with various computer systems and software programs including MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, SharePoint), database management and various website and social media content tools.
• Knowledge of inclusive communication practices and accessibility standards and legislation (e.g. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2009).

Application

• To apply for this position, please email your resume to LinkedIn. We thank you for your interest in the Building Ontario Fund. Applicant selection is based on, but not limited to technical competence, in-depth experience in relevant sectors and educational background. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates with a disability taking part of the recruitment process.
• At Building Ontario Fund, we are committed to diversity, transparency and inclusion. We believe our strength comes from having a team with the right diverse skills and abilities selected through a merit-based competitive process. We actively encourage applications from people regardless of nationality, religion gender, race, disability or sexual orientation.