Senior Communications Specialist - Communications Coordinator II - Election 2026

City of Vancouver; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major Canadian municipal government is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to manage strategic communications for the 2026 Vancouver Election. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Communications and extensive experience handling media relations and public engagement. This role supports hybrid work arrangements and involves creating communication strategies and materials. Competitive hourly pay is offered.

Benefits

Flexible Work Program

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in communications or related field required.
• Experience in media spokesperson roles is significant.
• Ability to develop and implement communication strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement multi-channel communication plans.
• Write publicity materials including newsletters and press releases.
• Serve as liaison to the media and coordinate responses.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public speaking

Writing plain language materials

Project management

Education

Degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism

Job description

Overview

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

As a member of the Civic Engagement and Communications team, the Senior Communications Specialist works on strategic communications projects in support of the 2026 Vancouver Election. This position is responsible for helping to educate the public and key stakeholders about essential Election and civic education information. The position has a strong strategic focus including developing communications strategies and social media content that supports successful business outcomes and creating or supervising the creation of various communications tools to inform the public about the 2026 Vancouver Election, their expected impacts and the opportunities for public involvement.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements multi-channel communications plans to support key initiatives
• Writes a wide variety of publicity and informational materials including news releases, newsletters, notices, pamphlets and brochures, speeches, video, displays, social media campaigns and other digital content, advertising, etc.
• Tracks the communications budgets for assigned projects
• Plan media events, news conferences and other special events
• Serves as the primary liaison to the media, coordinates media responses and spokespeople as appropriate
• Provides strategic communications and issues management advice to client areas
• Directs the development and maintenance of web pages
• Liaises with related agencies and suppliers/contractors to ensure effective and timely coordination of information to the public
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related discipline and at least five to seven years of experience in a communications position, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience
• Considerable experience implementing communications plans on complex and/or controversial topics
• Experience working with and communicating to diverse community groups
• Considerable experience serving as a media spokesperson or supporting other spokespeople on complex or sensitive issues
• Experience developing and making presentations to large groups
• Priorexperience supporting public engagement or consultation on Election campaigns or issues would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable demonstrated skill in developing and implementing all facets of a strategic communications plan
• Demonstrated ability to identify potentially contentious issues and quickly research the topic and recommend course of action, including responses
• Demonstrated ability to meet very tight deadlines and multi-tasknumerous duties
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate communications needs, and identify and develop the best tools and best timing for providing effective information to various publics
• Demonstrated ability to be pro-active in establishing and maintaining respectful relationships with numerous and diverse stakeholder groups
• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with internal and external partners - both in routine and in controversial and stressful situations
• Demonstrated skill in writing plain language materials: taking complex and technical information and making it interesting and easy for a layperson to understand
• Demonstrated skill in public speaking, and in writing and making effective public presentations to groups
• Considerable knowledge of the processes of graphic design, photography, video production, print and web production, and social media channels
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, alert and productiveunder stressful conditions
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact and diplomacy
• Thorough knowledge of the media (both English and ethnic)
• Thorough knowledge of public processes/consultation techniques
• Thorough knowledge of government, particularly civic and regional government structures

Additional Information

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager (1010)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: November, 2025

Position End Date: November, 2026

Salary Information: Pay GradeGR-027: $47.62 to $56.27 per hour

Application Close: October 5, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.