Senior Communications Advisor

City of Mississauga; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city as a Senior Communications Advisor, where your expertise will shape communication strategies for community engagement and city-building initiatives. This role offers the chance to work closely with senior decision-makers and lead projects that enhance the city's reputation. You'll develop strategic plans, create compelling content, and foster relationships with stakeholders. If you're passionate about effective communication and making a difference in your community, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Embrace a culture of innovation and support the city's vision through your impactful work.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in communications/issues management.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans.
• Provide communications advice to senior management.
• Research and write diverse content for various audiences.

Skills

Strategic Communications

Content Writing

Media Relations

Project Management

Community Engagement

Editing Skills

Social Media Management

Public Relations

Education

Post-secondary degree in Communications

Diploma in Public Relations

Tools

MS Office

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Data Analytics Tools

Job description

Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Senior Communications Advisor

Req ID:26623
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Number of Positions:2
Closing Date:

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Senior Communications Advisor to join our Strategic Communications & Initiatives team in Mississauga. This is not a marketing position and we require someone with direct experience and exceptional communications management skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing expert-level advice to senior decision-makers, developing communications strategies for high-priority initiatives, and implementing tactics for complex and special projects.
As a Senior Communications Advisor, you will be managing communications for a variety of City-building initiatives and community engagement projects. Your responsibilities will include recommending, developing, and implementing internal and external communications along with media, social media, and promotional strategies that align with the City of Mississauga's strategic plan, department action and business plans.
In this role, you will also be providing day-to-day functional guidance and leadership to junior and intermediate staff, as well as freelance and consultant service providers. You will be leading the development and writing of corporate messages on complex issues such as city planning issues, growth and development, and government relations. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to execute complex communication strategies.
If you are a experienced communications professional with a proven track record in providing expert-level advice and managing communications for complex projects, we encourage you to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:
• Develop and implement strategic communication plans
• Provide issues management/communications advice and support to senior management as required on matters impacting the reputation of the business area
• Research and write content (e.g., news releases, key messages, media stories, feature articles, corporate reports, speeches, newsletter copy, staff messages, signage, advertising) that support the business service area
• Develop engaging content for the City’s social media channels
• Lead strategic communications for priority community engagement projects
• Develop and foster strong relationships with internal business areas to effectively recommend and deliver strategic communications that support work plans
• Provide strategic communications counsel/advice to Mayor’s Office and to Members of Council as requested
• Liaise with senior leadership to provide strategic communications counsel on messaging, strategic planning and the development of relevant core materials
• Understand target audiences and assess appropriate strategic communications needs and provide strong recommendations
• Work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure consistency, demonstrate effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance
• Protect, support and maintain the City’s reputation and vision and support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Participate in inter-departmental teams and/or act as a representative on committees as required
• Participate as a member of the Strategic Communications & Initiatives Emergency Management Team
• Attend City events, workshops and other initiatives to promote further understanding of the business area
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Must be able to attend meetings, events and activities outside of regular business hours and some weekends (e.g. meetings, events, emergencies or to meet deadlines)

Skills and Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, mass media or public relations with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications/issues management
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage several competing, complex and evolving projects at the same time
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, writing content for diverse audiences, editing and production skills - familiar with Canadian Press Style
• Competencies required in all aspects of strategic communications including planning and management, issues management, content writing, media relations, speech writing, community engagement, event co-ordination and management and internal/employee communications
• Experience providing senior leaders with strategic communications advice, counsel and expertise
• Has a sound understanding of the media landscape locally, regionally and nationally and experience dealing with media/media inquiries
• Experience using and strong knowledge of how to develop engaging content and tailor messages for different social media channels/platforms and segmented audience groups
• Comfort with writing various materials that help garner media coverage and story generation
• Act as an effective collaborator and team player, supporting the Division’s overall goals and vision with a proactive and flexible approach to projects
• Ability to coach and mentor staff
• Ability to problem-solve and look for creative and viable solutions
• Ability to communicate with honesty, sensitivity, diplomacy, confidentiality and deal tactfully in an open political environment
• Ability to work creatively and effectively as a member of a larger team
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to display tact and diplomacy when interacting with Senior Leaders, Mayor and Council and dignitaries
• Excellent skills and knowledge working with MS Office, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, Content Management Systems (CMS), social media technology and data analytics
• Experience in a corporate and/or municipal sector is preferred
• Ability to work flexible work hours including weekends (as needed)
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) accreditation, Communication Management Professional (CMP), Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP), Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), Master of Communications Management (MCM) is a desired asset
• Experience with communications in Planning & Building is an asset

Hourly Rate/Salary:$ 89,464.00 - $ 119,286.00
Hours of Work:35
Work Location:Civic Centre
Department/Division/Section:CMO/City Manager's Office,CMO/Strategic Communications&Initiatives,Media and Business Communications
Non-Union/Union: Non Union

We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. You can alsocheck your application status in your candidate profile online.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City of Mississauga is committed to creating a respectful and supportive workplace that fosters a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion which broadly reflects the communities and residents we serve. Throughout the employee life cycle, the City is working to include an EDI lens to attract, retain and support the growth of diverse talent.

Learn more about the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion .

Accommodations
The City of Mississauga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to removing barriers in our selection process for people with visible and invisible disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Mississauga will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of anyaccommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.