Director, Media and Issues Management

Infrastructure Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 139,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined contribution pension plan with

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

Infrastructure Ontario is seeking a Director, Media and Issues Management to serve as the lead spokesperson and strategic advisor on media relations, issues management, and reputation management. This role oversees the enterprise issues function and supports executives and senior leaders with proactive communications.

Working with ministries and stakeholders, you will guide messaging, prepare materials, and drive crisis communications and readiness initiatives across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience leading media relations, public affairs, issues management, or strategic communications functions.
• Spokesperson experience advising executives on media strategy and high-profile communications.
• Strong understanding of government/public-sector environments and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise issues management, including identification, monitoring, and response planning.
• Develop and execute media relations strategies aligned with corporate priorities.
• Serve as primary spokesperson and strategic advisor on media and issues management.
• Oversee creation of messages, briefing materials, media responses, speeches, and issue notes.
• Manage relationships with media, ministries, and government communications teams.
• Provide media training and preparation for executives and senior leaders.
• Lead crisis communications planning and organizational readiness.
• Monitor public sentiment and emerging issues impacting reputation.
• Lead and develop a high-performing issues management team.

Skills

Media relations

Public affairs

Issues management

Reputation management

Strategic communications

Leadership

Education

Degree or diploma in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Political Science

Job description

Infrastructure Ontario (IO), an Ontario crown corporation, provides a wide range of services to support the Ontario government's initiative to modernise and maximise the value of public infrastructure and realty. IO has been recognised domestically and internationally for the way it does business and the success it has had with its major projects, real estate services, infrastructure lending, commercial projects, and development mandate. IO delivers some of the most complex, ambitious commercial and land development solutions for the Province and continues to evolve and expand its capabilities to maximise its public impact and deliver on its vision of creating a connected, modern and competitive Ontario.

Position Purpose

The Director, Media and Issues Management serves as Infrastructure Ontario's lead spokesperson and strategic advisor on media relations, issues management, and reputation management. The role oversees the enterprise issues management function, leads media strategy and response activities, and provides executive communications support on high-profile and sensitive matters. Working closely with senior leadership, ministries, government partners, and stakeholders, the position helps protect and enhance Infrastructure Ontario's reputation while ensuring consistent, proactive, and effective communications.

What You Will Do

• Lead Infrastructure Ontario's enterprise issues management function, including issue identification, monitoring, response planning, and coordination across the organisation.
• Develop and execute media relations strategies that support corporate priorities, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and enhance Infrastructure Ontario's reputation.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and strategic advisor on media and issues management matters, providing guidance and support to executives and senior leaders.
• Oversee the development of key messages, briefing materials, media responses, speeches, presentations, issue notes, and other communications products.
• Manage relationships with media, ministries, central agencies, and government communications teams to support coordinated communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide media training, coaching, and preparation for executives and senior leaders participating in interviews, public engagements, and other high-profile communications activities.
• Lead crisis communications planning and support organisational readiness for emerging issues and reputational risks.
• Monitor emerging issues, public sentiment, stakeholder concerns, and developments that may impact Infrastructure Ontario's reputation and strategic objectives.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for issues management, correspondence, stakeholder inquiries, and media relations activities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen communications processes, issues management practices, and organisational readiness through continuous improvement initiatives.

Who You Are

• Degree or diploma in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related discipline an asset.
• Significant experience leading media relations, public affairs, issues management, reputation management, or strategic communications functions.
• Demonstrated experience acting as a spokesperson and advising executives on media strategy, issues management, and high-profile communications matters.
• Strong understanding of government, public-sector, political, and stakeholder environments, including experience working with ministries, agencies, senior officials, or elected representatives.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, media relations, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and provide strategic advice at senior levels.
• Proven leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, developing teams, and managing complex communications issues in fast-pace environments.

What We Offer

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee's annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more.
• A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and our parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks.
• Access to our $1000 Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program and a Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and can include coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling or financial planning.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues' well-being. IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and licence fees per year for eligible colleagues if directly related to the employee's role.
• Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs.
• A convenient, central location at 1 Dundas St West, easily accessible by public transit.

We offer a competitive salary range of $139,000 to $162,100 (M3 level), pay will align with skills, knowledge and experience of the candidate.

This posting will close on Monday October 19th, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

This posting is for a current active vacancy. We are actively recruiting to fill this position.

At Infrastructure Ontario, we strive to create a culture that encourages a diverse equitable and inclusive environment that fosters belonging. We believe that experience comes in many forms and through learning from each other's differences and perspectives gives us strength. We are committed to enhancing our culture and encourage applications from all walks of life. Let us know if you would benefit from any accommodations for the selection process, by contacting the Talent Acquisition Team.

Candidates of any race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, place of origin or any other community are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience will be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

At Infrastructure Ontario, we use AI in our applicant tracking system to improve the efficiency and fairness of recruitment. Your application will be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team for a thorough evaluation. Please note that final hiring decisions are made solely by our experienced hiring team.