Sr. Communications Advisor

Hydro One; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Hydro One is seeking a Corporate Communications professional to assist in planning and implementing communication programs. The role involves media relations, internal communications, and supporting employee engagement initiatives. Candidates should possess a degree in communications and relevant experience in public relations.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of public relations and journalism.
• A period of up to eight years of experience in communications.
• Sophisticated communications skills and familiarity with the company's objectives.

Responsibilities

• Support media relations and act as a primary spokesperson.
• Develop and implement internal and external communications plans.
• Monitor success of communication programs through feedback and surveys.

Skills

Public relations

Communication skills

Media relations

Education

Four-year university degree in communications or related field

Post-graduate program in communications or journalism (asset)

Job description

50446-Regular

Representation: SOCIETY Job code: 00748842 Pay information: Schedule 1/ MP4 Hours of work (per week): 35 hr 5day * 7hr Shift work: No Number of positions: 1 Town/City: Toronto, Ontario Department: CORPORATE AFFAIRS/MRKTNG&COMMNCTN/EXTERNAL COMS1

General Accountabilities:

Assist the Manager in the planning, development and implementation of communications programs to meet the specific information needs of the Company, staff and the public.Participate in the preparation and provision of written and verbal information on a forward looking or proactive basis to customers, stakeholder groups, Company staff, media contacts and governmental agencies.

Specific Accountabilities:

• Support the media relations function by acting as a primary Company spokesperson on operational and sensitive issues. Research issues to identify appropriate approaches, strategies and responses. Develop key messages and press releases and identifies opportunities for positive media profile and coordinate team members for message consistency.
• Plan, develop and implement internal and external communications plans and strategies in support of corporately stated objectives and to address stakeholder, customer and employee needs. Write press releases, articles, talking points, speaking notes, advertisements in support of Company initiatives. Coach executive and senior spokespeople on key messages, organize interviews, inform external media and stakeholders on background, and conduct follow-up. Monitor the success of existing programs through feedback, surveys and continued alertness.
• Provide operational support to myriad corporate communications activities, including media events, speeches, employee events, trade shows and stakeholder meetings.
• Assist the Manager in coordinating special employee and media events at the site.
• Participate in the department’s rotating on-call schedule, which involves working evenings and weekends as part of a team to manage after-hours communications requirements during storm events causing power outages or other urgent situations.
• Confer with field or other Company personnel involved in related or shared projects/programs, to discuss and solve problems of mutual concern.
• Act as a resource and work with various media relations contacts regarding continuing communications at and on behalf of the Company.
• Keep abreast of and maintain a general knowledge and information data bank on current and developing energy sources, electricity, the Company's role, objectives and policies and other relevant topics.
• Support employee communication efforts through the development and implementation of internal communication plans and strategies that improve employee engagement. Organize and participate in employee events including webcasts, meetings, campaigns and other events.
• Play a key role in the development and oversight of the social media strategy and oversee the execution of proactive and reactive tactics on company social media accounts, organizing original content, fielding questions/inquiries from customers/stakeholders, ensuring cross-platform consistency on position statements, escalating emerging issues, and serve as final approver of post content. Monitor and measure the success of all social platforms.
• Act as the media contact in emergency situations; be responsible for the operation of the local Information Centre set up in the local municipality (i.e., prepare news bulletins on the emergency situation for release to media).
• Perform other duties as required.

Education:

• Requires knowledge of public relations, journalism, the social sciences, communication skills and English to assist in the planning and development of Corporate relations communications programs, to provide effective oral or written responses to the media (press releases), local governments, etc. on various Company matters.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of a four year university education in an appropriate field or by having the equivalent level of education.
• A post-graduate program in communications or journalism would be considered an asset.

Experience:

• Requires experience in such areas as public participation, communications, and news media work to acquire understanding of the public relations concept and a broadening of skill in the techniques of media communication and development of material for public consumption and reaction.
• Requires sophisticated communications skills and the ability to become familiar with the Company’s organization structures, its communications policies and objectives including the gathering and release of information, their application and intent, and the programs and issues to be covered.
• A period of up to eight years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

Hydro One employees, you can apply online viathe Careers module in Success Factors. To accessSuccess Factors, click on the Talent Management link in the Applications drop-down menu on the HydroNet site.Otherwise, if you do not have Hydro One computer access, forward your application to [e-mail]. In the event you are experiencing difficulties applying tothis job please visit myHR.

"Employer of the year 2025"

Deadline: June 3, 2025

Questions about the posting should be directed to the hiring manager.If you are selected for an interview or further evaluation and require special accommodations please speak with the hiring manager.

NOTE: An Employee who is the successful applicant to a vacancy that results in a move between the Hydro One companies (Hydro One Networks, Hydro One Telecom and Hydro One Remotes) will have his/her EI and CPP deductions restarted. If as a result of the restart of these deductions the employee over contributes to EI and/or CPP, the employee will be eligible for a refund of the over contribution through their personal income tax return. For further details, please contact the HR Support Centre.