Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Issues Management

Njoyn; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 126,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

The Toronto Public Library seeks a Senior Manager, Communications, Media Relations and Issues Management to lead strategy and execution across internal and external communications. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role advises senior leaders, coordinates cross-functional teams and prepares spokespersons for high-stakes engagements.

You'll shape proactive and reactive communications, manage a media relations portfolio, oversee issues management and mentor a high-performance team

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressively senior experience in communications, media relations and issues management.
• Experience advising senior management and preparing spokespeople for high-stakes interviews.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams within a public-sector or complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of strategic communications plans in a fast-paced environment.
• Direct media relations activities and ensure spokesperson readiness for interviews.
• Monitor emerging issues, develop messaging and coordinate crisis communications when needed.
• Partner with senior leadership to translate priorities into clear communications.
• Develop and mentor a high-performance CPCE team and foster cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Issues management

Leadership

Crisis communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Job description

Is This You?

You are an experienced communications leader who brings clarity to complexity and turns strategy into action. You are equally comfortable shaping a long-term communications strategy, advising senior leaders, preparing a spokesperson for a challenging interview or stepping in when an unexpected issue emerges. You are cool under pressure and comfortable working in an environment where emerging issues arise with little warning. You aptly manage multiple files at once and know how to prioritize.

You bring strong judgment, media instincts and exceptional writing skills, with the confidence to respectfully challenge when needed. You know how to provide candid advice while building trust and bringing people along. You thrive working in an environment that is not territorial. You are comfortable using your experience and influence to affect change while being a member of a team that works cohesively and collaboratively.

You thrive in environments where things aren’t always neatly defined. Rather than getting stuck in process, you are energized by ambiguity and complexity, you identify what needs to change, bring the right people together and help solve the problem.

As a leader, you are strategic but not removed from the work. You enjoy developing people, strengthening team capabilities and building collaborative relationships across an organization. You are comfortable working independently, while recognizing that your success depends on how effectively you bring others with you.

If you are a thoughtful, confident communications leader who combines strategic perspective with sound execution, and are excited by the opportunity to shape communications at one of Toronto’s most visible and valued public institutions, read on.

The Organization

Toronto Public Library (TPL) is the biggest and busiest public library in North America. It is a gathering place for people and ideas, with more than 46 million visits last year to TPL’s 100 branches citywide and rich online services. More than 80% of Torontonians use their library, finding space to read, learn, create and connect in their communities. From literacy and skills development to technology access and cultural experiences, they’re there to help all Torontonians thrive.

To learn more about TPL’s vision, mission and values, click here.

The Position

Reporting to the Director, Communications, Programming and Customer Engagement (CMO), the Senior Manager, Communications, Media Relations and Issues Management, leads the development and execution of communication strategies. TPL’s senior leadership team will look to, and count on, this role to advise, deliver critical thinking and problem-solving expertise, and proactively manage emerging issues. The Senior Manager will lead a fast-paced portfolio and will be accountable to driving the strategy as well as the execution, alongside a collaborative and cohesive cross functional team.

This senior role calls for a breadth and depth of knowledge backed by a full range of communication experience, including long-term strategic communication plans developed through collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring expertise in communications, proactive and reactive media relations, and issues management. They are media trained, and experienced as a spokesperson for their organization, and skilled in managing, mentoring and leading communications teams. Their approach is measured, thoughtful and calm.

This role will be a key leader in the Communications, Programming and Customer Engagement division that includes Communications, Marketing & Brand, Content Strategy & Channel management and Cultural Programming.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Communications

• Oversees, develops and implements communications strategies and plans in a fast-paced environment
• Provides advice, counsel and leadership with respect to communications planning and response
• Partners with senior leadership and service owners to translate priorities into clear, consistent communications
• Develops, oversees and executes internal and external communications plans for a wide variety of issues and initiatives
• Liaises with Office of the City Librarian & CEO and coordinates communications strategy as necessary
• Acts as lead on high-profile communications initiatives delivered in partnership with the City of Toronto or other community partners

Media Relations

• Manages media relations team, setting priorities and overseeing daily activities
• Directs proactive and reactive media relations activity, balancing planned media strategy and outreach with response to inbound inquiries and developing situations
• Ensures spokesperson readiness, working with media team to coach and prepare spokespeople for interviews and stepping in as spokesperson for select high-stakes or sensitive engagements
• Manages media events as necessary
• Reviews media coverage and adjust strategy accordingly
• Owns selection and management of media monitoring, distribution, and analytics tools/platforms

Issues Management

• Monitors emerging risks, trends, and potential reputational issues across media and stakeholder channels
• Develops issue-specific messaging and response plans in coordination with service owners and senior leadership
• Leads crisis communications response, including rapid-response messaging and spokesperson coordination
• Conducts post-issue review to capture learnings and refine future preparedness

People & Organizational Leadership

• Working with other CPCE and TPL managers, build and sustain a high-performance team culture grounded in collaboration, service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to professional and support staff (directly and/or through managers), supporting individual development and succession planning.
• Provide coordination and oversight for CPCE staff training and development, including tracking and monitoring progress against Library strategic objectives.
• Foster inclusive, respectful, and equitable work practices aligned with public service values and human rights principles.
• Operate as a fully accountable leader, both independently and as a member of the Library’s broader management team.
• Build effective, collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership, partners, and vendors.
• Prepare and deliver clear executive-level communications and presentations, translating complex strategies and data into actionable insights for decision-making.

The Ideal Candidate

• Undergraduate degree in communications or a related field, or a recognized equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of ten years progressively senior, recent work experience in communications, media relations and issues management, with at least five years of recent experience in managing teams
• Experience in providing communications counsel and support to senior management
• Minimum of five years’ experience in managing a team in communications, media relations and issues management
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with audiences including customers and the community, media, elected officials, board members, management and staff
• Demonstrated track record of managing complex issues with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record for being proactive and delivering results on strategic initiatives
• Experience working within the public sector, particularly a unionized environment, is a strong asset
• Understanding and appreciation of the philosophy of public service to all, in accordance with human rights legislation and the principles of equity and access in the delivery of library service

SALARY:

$126,000 - $176,140 (GRADE 8 – 2026 RATE)

THE TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY DOES NOT ASK FOR A CREDIT CARD, BANKING INFORMATION, OR SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS OR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT JOBS AT TPL THAT ARE NOT SENT FROM AN @TPL.CA ADDRESS.