Senior Communications Advisor

City of Edmonton; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 92,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The City of Edmonton is seeking two Senior Communications Advisors within the Urban Planning and Economy (UPE) department to lead a team of communications professionals. You will develop and deliver strategic communications plans aligned with council priorities for city-building initiatives including growth planning and the environment.

You will supervise staff, collaborate across departments, and ensure communications are delivered on time and on budget while maintaining the City's reputation

Qualifications

• University degree in a communications, public relations or related field with 4+ years of supervisory internal communications experience, or a diploma with 6+ years and supervisory experience.
• Experience supervising staff in internal communications or public information/affairs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of communications professionals.
• Develop, refine and implement strategic multidisciplinary communications plans for internal and external audiences.
• Provide strategic and tactical communications advice for projects and programs.
• Collaborate with media relations, marketing, engagement and external/intergovernmental relations staff to deliver integrated initiatives.
• Support development of new communications channels and align editorial content.
• Identify emerging issues and work with teams to address them.
• Track and report team effectiveness and efficiency.
• Hire and manage external contractors and consultants for communications services.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic communications

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Relationship building

Project management

Prioritization

Education

University degree in communications/public relations

Diploma in communications/public relations

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Google Workspace

Video editing software

Job description

Are you a talented communications professional with a passion for topics like city building, zoning, growth planning and the environment? Are you excited to work alongside others in helping to plan and shape the city of the future? Are you a dedicated people leader committed to building a high-performing team? Urban Planning and Economy is looking for two highly creative, strategic, and collaborative Senior Communications Advisors to lead a team of communications professionals in the development and delivery of strategic communications plans and products. Working with a Communications and Engagement Manager and supporting an assigned client area, you will collaborate with colleagues across the department to lead internal and/or external multidisciplinary Communications and Engagement strategies and activities that are delivered on time, on budget, and are consistent with the City’s reputation and programming priorities. A measure of your success will be your commitment to a service-minded orientation. The Urban Planning and Economy (UPE) department shapes Edmonton’s future by integrating Council’s core priorities, Growth Management, Economic Development, Safety and Quality Services, to ensure a prosperous, sustainable, vibrant and safe city. UPE facilitates growth intentionally guided by The City Plan, coordinating land use, mobility, open spaces and public investment to ensure long-term fiscal resilience. UPE acts as a strategic growth partner, attracting commercial and industrial investment to expand the non-residential tax base. The department cultivates a business-friendly environment by streamlining regulatory processes to reduce barriers to investment and business growth. Through strong, relationship-driven partnerships, it builds trust and transparency with the business community and the public. Ultimately, UPE balances efficient service delivery with exceptional livability and environmental stewardship, ensuring Edmonton remains a competitive, affordable and inclusive global destination as it grows toward a population of two million.

What will you do?

• Develop, supervise, motivate and recruit to a high-performing team of communications professionals, demonstrating strong coaching and change management skills
• Create, refine, align and implement strategic multidisciplinary plans targeted at both internal and external audiences
• Provide direct strategic and tactical communications advice and support for projects and programs
• Collaborate with the City’s media relations, marketing, engagement, and external and intergovernmental relations staff to ensure that initiatives and campaigns are comprehensive and delivered in an effective, integrated way
• Support the development of new communications channels, and the effective editorial alignment of existing channels
• Identify emerging issues and work with communications teams and clients to address them
• Track and report the team’s effectiveness and efficiency in achieving intended outcomes
• Hire and manage external contractors and consultants to plan and execute communications services

Qualifications:

• University graduation in a communications, public relations or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in a designated internal communications or public information/affairs position including experience in direct supervision of staff; OR Diploma in communications, public relations or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in a designated internal communications or public information/affairs position including experience in direct supervision of staff

Assets:

• Experience working in a multiservice communications or marketing agency
• Certification in change management methodology or accreditation in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
• Experience working with large organizations, particularly in the public sector or in an agency

Skills required for success:

• Experience and extensive knowledge of the principles, practices and requirements of internal and external communication, mass communication, media relations, marketing and advertising, social media, and public relations
• Demonstrated successful experience in a sufficiently complex supervisory role, supplemented by demonstrated collaborative and team building skills
• Experience in conducting research into trends, best practices and employee feedback to optimize effective communication planning and project outcomes
• Experience in successfully creating, developing, implementing and evaluating communication plans
• Understanding of optimal mix of communications and related disciplines to achieve the best outcomes
• Superior issues identification and issues management skills
• A trusted advisor; proven client consulting and relationship building skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to focus on customer needs, work through ambiguity, and act as a trusted advisor to a business partner that is growing and evolving
• Demonstrated ability to perform as a respectful, inclusive and engaged team member
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to apply creativity, tell a great story, and align communications products with elements of brand
• Experience and proficiency with contemporary computer technologies (e.g. Google platform, Adobe suite, video editing software, etc.)
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants may be tested

Work Environment:

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement, and the incumbent will be notified in advance
• Availability to attend events during the evenings and weekends may be required from time to time

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail]. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 2 permanent full-time positions

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This position requires the successful candidate to be available for on-call work outside of regular work hours. Hours of work may be subject to the terms and conditions of a variable hours of work program.

Salary: $52.414 - $65.871 (Hourly); $92,340.360 - $116,048.230 (Annually)

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.