Senior Strategic Communications Advisor

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Flexible work arrangements

Benefits package

Job summary

The Ontario Public Service in Toronto is seeking a Senior Strategic Communications Advisor to lead high-profile communications strategies that support government priorities and tackle complex issues. You will help shape and communicate major programs across the province, influencing outcomes and public perception.

Join a talented team focused on collaboration, professional growth, and delivering high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development and implementation of a broad range of strategic communications projects and initiatives.
• Identify, analyze and provide advice on communications requirements related to ministry policies and services.
• Lead branch teams to develop and implement communications strategies for cross-divisional and cross-government initiatives.
• Provide strategic communication advice to ministry colleagues, senior management and executive offices.

Job description

Corporate Services Division / Communications Branch

Toronto

1 Permanent, 1 Temporary - up to 10 months with the possibility of extension

Help shape and communicate some of Ontario's most significant programs and initiatives

As a Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, you'll lead high-profile communications strategies and projects that support government priorities, tackle complex issues, and provide strategic advice to senior decision-makers. In this fast-paced and rewarding role, you'll have the unique opportunity to see your work reflected in the day's news while making an impact across the province.

Meet the team

You'll be joining an experienced and talented team that consistently delivers high-quality work while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Team members share knowledge, support one another, and are always willing to step in when it matters most. You'll be led by a people-focused manager who values trust, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth, and is committed to helping team members build confidence and develop their strengths.

About the job

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning, development and implementation of a broad range of strategic communications projects and initiatives, and the development and maintenance of client relationships in support of government and ministry programs, services, goals and priorities


• Identify, analyze and provide advice on communications requirements and issues related to ministry policies, programs, legislation, regulations and services


• Lead branch teams to develop and implement communications strategies for cross-divisional and cross-government initiatives


• Use creative and outside-the-box thinking to ensure that the ministry is effectively reaching its audience

What you bring to the team

Strategic Communications Planning and Development

You can:

• provide expertise and leadership in the development and execution of integrated communications strategies and implementation plans for high-profile program initiatives


• lead the development and recommendation of proactive strategies and programs to anticipate high-profile opportunities or contentious issues and enable prompt response


• develop long-term project plans that address client requirements, stakeholder interests, environmental factors, and other considerations


• manage all phases of ministry communications projects

Project Management and Leadership Skills:

You can:

• Lead branch and cross-divisional teams to develop and deliver external communications strategies


• Provide technical direction and guidance to both staff and external communication service providers


• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders on communications projects/initiatives


• Manage multiple concurrent projects and monitor performance

Technical Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of policy development and legislative and political decision-making processes to manage ministry issues by providing accurate and timely responses


• You can provide strategic communication advice and expertise to all levels of the ministry on communications requirements for ministry programs and goals


• You can analyze and assess public opinion, media perceptions and stakeholder positions

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• identify, research and analyze emerging, contentious issues, potential problems and opportunities that require communications expertise


• formulate innovative strategies and communications plans, mitigate adverse impact and develop and propose the optimum response or course of action, incorporating best practices


• lead or conduct impact evaluations to ensure that strategic communications positioning is consistent with government and ministry priorities


• assess communications requirements in light of ministry priorities and develop over-arching, seamless communications strategies and products that support objectives, positioning and priorities

Interpersonal and Influencing Skills:

• You have stakeholder/relationship management skills and political acuity to build and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, management, staff, and other stakeholders


• You have consultation and advisory skills to provide strategic advice and tactical guidance to ministry colleagues, senior management, and executive offices


• You can advise branch communications staff on the planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic and internal communications plans, programs and initiatives


• You have consensus-building, mediation and collaboration skills to chair/facilitate difficult discussions and meetings with diverse groups of stakeholders, some of whom may have opposing agendas, positions and/or views

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives


• accessibility


• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions


• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs


• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package


• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression


• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more


• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Language requirements and assessment:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.