Senior Communications Advisor

Build Nova Scotia Healthcare Infrastructure Division; Sydney; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Communications Advisor to enhance public awareness of its initiatives in Cape Breton. This role involves developing and implementing communication strategies, managing media relations, and engaging with stakeholders to foster understanding and collaboration. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing skills and a background in public relations or journalism, along with experience in digital content and social media management. Join a dynamic team and play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of impactful projects in the region.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in public relations or journalism.
• Strong writing and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and evaluate communication strategies for public understanding.
• Prepare and edit communications materials for media and public.

Skills

Public Relations

Strategic Communication

Writing Skills

Graphic Design

Social Media Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

University Degree in Public Relations or Journalism

Tools

Digital Content Management Tools

Social Media Platforms

Job description

Under the general direction of the Director, Marketing and Communications, the Senior Communications Advisor is accountable for managing, producing, implementing and evaluating communication strategies that build internal and external awareness and understanding of Build Nova Scotia's initiatives in Cape Breton and across the business as needed. The Senior Communications Advisor provides communication expertise and advice to the CEO, Vice Presidents and senior staff. Advisors manage and deliver a broad range of products and services including communication planning, digital content strategies, issues management, media relations, public consultation and event planning. This position is currently approved for a three (3) year term.

Qualifications

University Degree in public relations or journalism and at least five (5) years' professional experience or an acceptable equivalent. The successful candidate will have strong writing skills, a background in developing and implementing communication strategies, experience in graphic design, social media and online technology and experience dealing with stakeholders and the media.

The following competencies are required:

Concept thinking, strategic orientation, outcome focus, initiative, effective interactive communication, partnering and relationship building, intercultural and diversity proficiency. We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Responsibilities

1. Promotes public understanding of Build Nova Scotia's initiatives, programs and services by managing, producing, implementing and evaluating communications strategies. Works quickly, efficiently and professionally- often under tight timelines- to ensure information provided to media is timely, accurate and complete.

2. Using excellent writing skills, researches, prepares and edits a variety of communications materials including news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets, speeches, and communication plans. Plans and coordinates announcements and events, including news conferences and technical briefings for media and the public.

3. Participates in working groups, committees and meetings to coordinate strategic communications and/or issues management where information must be delivered to a variety of audiences, both internal and external. Actively participates in decision-making by offering communication expertise and guidance

4. Produces, implements and evaluates social media, digital content and strategies that build external awareness and understanding of the corporation's priorities, initiatives, programs and services in Cape Breton and across the business as required.

5. Monitors online conversations among key stakeholders related to key agency priorities and initiatives and identifies issues and/or opportunities.

6. Stays up-to-speed on emerging tools and technologies related to social media and digital.

7. Prepares social media summaries to inform digital content strategies, communications plans and decision making related to projects in Cape Breton and across the province as needed.

8. Strengthens the relationships that government has with Build Nova Scotia with an emphasis on understanding the issues affecting and needs of high influence/impact stakeholders and on high-priority stakeholder groups that align with corporate priorities.

9. Builds and helps execute strategic partnership plans, as well as coordinates and facilitates collaboration across government surrounding issues management, communication and engagement with external high influence stakeholders on matters of corporate priority, high-risk, and cross-departmental concerns.

10. Supports departments and the corporate team in development and implementation of stakeholder identification and action plans in Cape Breton and across the business as needed.

11. Develops tools and templates, such as stakeholder mapping tools; stakeholder Prioritization Matrix template; stakeholder Influence-Impact assessment profiles and others to support effective categorization of stakeholders, e.g. High-Influence Challengers.

12. Monitors and maintains Build Nova Scotia's website presence regarding projects in Cape Breton, ensuring they are up to date with content and emerging technologies.

13. Coordinates and plans Build Nova Scotia stakeholder engagement activities and/or organizes and provides resource on major projects in Cape Breton and across the business where required.

14. Participates and takes proactive leadership roles in public communications responsibilities relative to engagement and participation of other levels of government in Build Nova Scotia projects in Cape Breton and across the business as needed.

15. Coordinates and ensures the quality of written submissions and responses to public comments during public review periods on any aspects of Build Nova Scotia projects in Cape Breton and across the business as required.