Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations & Issues Management

BC Housing; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-house training

Wellness programs

Recognition programs

Livegreen transit pass

Social Club

Community involvement

Job summary

BC Housing is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations and Issues Management, for a short-term, full-time assignment in Burnaby, BC. The role leads strategic communications, handles media requests, and supports events and announcements to advance corporate objectives.

The ideal candidate has advanced diploma in communications and strong experience in media relations, issues management, stakeholder relations and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Advanced diploma in communications or related field.
• Progressive experience in communications planning, issues management, media relations, events, stakeholder relations and public engagement.
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the employer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans in support of BC Housing’s objectives.
• Share BC Housing’s story and raise awareness of initiatives.
• Provide support to executives, management and staff as issues emerge.
• Manage media requests, proactively pitch stories, plan events and coordinate video production and writing.
• Provide strategic communications support to the broader team.

Skills

Media relations

Issues management

Event management

Stakeholder relations

Public engagement

MS Office

Education

Advanced diploma in communications

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint/Outlook)

Job description

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, MEDIA RELATIONS & ISSUES MANAGEMENT

Contract

SHORT-TERM (APRX 1 YEAR)/FULL-TIME

Location

BURNABY, BC

($72,479.17 - $83,518.06 Annually)

Organization

BC Housing is a provincial Crown Corporation that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those most in need across the province to address critical gaps across the housing continuum ranging from emergency shelter through to rent assistance in the private market and affordable home ownership. Share in the rewards of working with an organization that offers challenging work and competitive compensation and supports the growth and development of its people.

Benefits

• In-house training, and training at other institutions, for courses related to employees’ current positions or to prepare them for advancement within BC Housing.
• Wellness programs including physical fitness, programs to help employees quit smoking, free flu shots, mental health resources, and lunch-and-learn lectures and seminars.
• Recognition programs including long-term service awards, idea recognition and outstanding performance awards.
• Livegreen incentives include an employee transit pass program, and other initiatives that encourage alternative, sustainable transportation (even a bike purchase program!).
• An active Social Club that organizes special events like seasonal parties and arranges group discounts to other events.
• Participation in community and charitable events.

Eligibility for benefits

Eligibility for benefits offered is based on employment status.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management, the Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations and Issues Management implements strategic communications plans in support of BC Housing’s corporate objectives. He/she/they is a key contributor in sharing BC Housing’s story, helps build awareness of the Commission’s initiatives, and provides support to BC Housing’s Executive, management and staff as issues emerge. The position is responsible for issues management, responding to media requests, proactively pitching stories to reporters, event planning, video production support and coordination, story writing and key message development and administrative support. The role also provides strategic communications support where needed to the larger team.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will have the following:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Advanced diploma in communications, public engagement or other relevant fields.
• Considerable progressive experience in communications planning, issues management, media relations, event management, stakeholder relations, and public engagement.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, theories and principles of communications, specifically in the public sector environment
• Considerable knowledge of the objectives, programs and best practices of strategic communications planning, media relations, issues management, events management, and stakeholder relations.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Strong verbal, writing, editing and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to work independently and as a team player
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work closely with internal and external partners and stakeholders in implementing communication strategies, and facilitate problem-solving in achieving results
• Ability to plan, coordinate and oversee the execution of a variety of events and announcements
• Ability to write and prepare website content for both internal and external audiences
• Ability to work effectively with social media platforms
• Ability to analyze, problem-solve, mediate and mitigate difficult situations
• Ability to build effective working relationships and work with a variety of partners, stakeholders, agencies and contractors
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressures, with scrupulous attention to details
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in an appropriate manner while displaying a high degree of judgement, discretion, and decision-making ability
• Ability to travel on Commission business as required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required; after hours duties (on call) may be assigned as required.

Indigenous candidates are welcome to connect with an Indigenous team member in our organization to discuss the recruitment process and our workplace, please contact [e-mail] to arrange a call.

At BC Housing, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We invite and welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous People, People with Disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and all people committed to meaningful work that makes a difference. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].