MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS, Issues Management #67265

City of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 126,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Toronto is seeking a Manager Communications, Issues Management to lead a new unit focused on proactive issues management and crisis planning. You will advise senior leadership, guide cross-divisional responses, and align communications with city priorities.

You will build and lead a team, develop strategies for timely communications, and collaborate with divisions to manage reputational risks and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading the full issues management process.
• Proven strategic communications advice to senior leaders.
• Experience monitoring sensitive, emerging issues and advising on responses.
• Budget planning and resource allocation experience.
• Knowledge of MFIPPA and AODA regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level strategic advice to City leadership on high-profile matters.
• Lead cross-divisional and intergovernmental issues management initiatives.
• Develop proactive issues management strategies and crisis plans.
• Coordinate timely, accurate communications aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with Social Media and Media Relations teams for public engagement.

Skills

Issues management

Strategic communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Budget planning

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Data-driven forecasting

Public affairs

Education

Post-secondary education in communications or related field

Job description

Job Category: Communications & Marketing

Division & Section: Communications; Media Relations & Issues Management

Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 - Hybrid work in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Hybrid Work Policy

Job Type & Duration: 1 Full-Time, Permanent Vacancy

Salary Range: $126,000.00- $176,140.00 - Hiring Range: $126,000.00 to $141,926.00

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Affiliation: Non-Union

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 2-Oct-2026 to 25-Oct-2026

Toronto is home to more than 3 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. The City of Toronto is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment where all employees and members of the public feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the public and the communities in which we live and serve.

The Communications Division plays a vital role in connecting the City of Toronto with residents, staff, and key stakeholders by delivering clear, impactful messaging about City programs, services, and priorities. Operating with an agency-like model, the division develops and executes integrated marketing and communications campaigns that drive measurable results. Through a centralized, centres-of-excellence approach, the Communications team fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation, empowering staff to tell proactive, compelling stories that place the city and its divisions at the heart of public engagement.The Communications Division also supports issues management, media relations and crisis communications, helping the City anticipate emerging issues and coordinate timely, accurate responses across divisions. All communications efforts are strategically aligned with the City's broader organizational goals, ensuring consistency, relevance, and meaningful impact across all channels.

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a team focused on proactive issues management, developing strategies and action plans that reflect the City’s values and priorities while helping protect its reputation and foster public trust. You’ll be responsible for setting the direction for this new unit in the Media Relations & Issues Management Centre of Excellence, guiding coordinated responses to complex and politically sensitive issues, and ensuring communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with broader organizational goals.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director, Media Relations and Issues Management, the Manager Communications, Issues Management role plays a critical part in shaping how the City anticipates, responds to, and communicates about sensitive, high-profile, cross-divisional and intergovernmental matters. You’ll provide senior-level strategic advice and operational support to the City Manager, Deputy City Managers, division heads, and senior leadership teams, working closely with the Chief Communications Officer, the Communications Management Team, and the Mayor’s Office.

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a team focused on proactive issues management, developing strategies and action plans that reflect the City’s values and priorities while helping protect its reputation and foster public trust. You’ll be responsible for setting the direction for this new unit in the Media Relations & Issues Management Centre of Excellence, guiding coordinated responses to complex and politically sensitive issues, and ensuring communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with broader organizational goals.

Your team will be responsible for:

• Managing cross-divisional and large-scale reputational risks to enhance and protect the City’s public image
• Preparing Communications senior leadership for Council and Committee meetings through detailed briefings on emerging issues and ongoing campaigns
• Providing insight and analysis on politically sensitive items to inform issues management and communications strategies and leadership briefings
• Ensuring timely and strategic decision-making through accurate tracking, documentation, and reporting on issues, reports, and policy matters
• Championing continuous improvement of the forecasting process by leveraging data, trends, and feedback
• Developing a proactive strategy that includes social listening, crisis response planning, and collaboration with the Manager, Social Media, to engage with the public and address concerns in real time
• Supporting the Division’s Agenda Forecasting System to anticipate and plan for Council and Committee items with corresponding issues management and communications strategies.

What you bring to the role:

• Post‑secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience leading the full issues management process, including developing and implementing issues management strategies and action plans that align with organizational priorities and values, with coordinated responses to cross‑divisional and intergovernmental matters.
• Extensive experience providing strategic communications advice and operational support to senior leaders in a complex, high‑profile organization, with a strong background in issues management, media relations, and strategic communications.
• Extensive experience monitoring, identifying, and assessing sensitive, emerging, and high‑profile issues to develop timely and effective communications strategies that protect organizational reputation and support balanced media coverage.
• Considerable experience in budget planning and administration, including resource allocation to support strategic priorities.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson and/or building relationships with journalists is considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of municipal governance, Council procedures, and decision‑making processes, with awareness of the political, social, and economic factors influencing all levels of government.
• Proven ability to leverage data, trends, and feedback to improve forecasting processes and strengthen organizational preparedness, including the development of crisis communication plans and integration of social listening tools.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work across divisions and in partnership with teams such as Social Media and Media Relations to ensure consistent and responsive issues management and public engagement.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing high‑performing teams, championing strategic best practices, and fostering innovation within a collaborative, inclusive, and results‑driven work environment.
• Knowledge of outreach strategies for diverse and multilingual audiences, applying an inclusive and culturally responsive communications lens.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies, including MFIPPA, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and AODA.

Additional Assets

• Agency experience.
• Experience working with global companies.
• Experience managing communications related to civil unrest, cybersecurity, employee relations and litigation scenarios.
• Involvement in large‑scale crisis communications and issues management situations.
• Involvement in leading or participating in tabletop facilitation exercises.
• Previous collaboration with internal and external general counsel.

Why You Will Love Working at The City:

• We are committed to building a high‑performing public service with strong and effective leaders to enable service excellence through high engagement and a healthy and safe workplace.
• We offer competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for learning and professional development, and a culture that values collaboration and employee well‑being.
• Opportunities to join and take an active role with the City’s Communities of Inclusion, comprised of employees who share a common identity, lived experience and/or set of interests and meet regularly to network, dialogue, share best practices, build capacity, learn and develop. These groups act as a resource for members and allies, support an equitable and diverse workplace, foster awareness, respect, and inclusion, and encourage intersectional approaches and leverage diverse interests.
• Hybrid work in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Hybrid Work Policy.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier‑free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code‑protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability‑related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.