Term Appointment - Communcations Consultant

City of Kelowna; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian municipality is seeking a Communications Consultant to develop strategic communications plans supporting executives and manage media relations. The ideal candidate will have a degree in communications or public relations and minimum five years of experience in the field. Responsibilities include conducting research, developing communication strategies, and proactive media engagement. Offering a competitive salary range of $87,000 to $101,500, along with employer-paid benefits and a positive work environment.

Benefits

Employer-paid comprehensive benefits package

Earned day off program

Paid vacation

Top pension plan in Canada

Qualifications

• Minimum five years experience in communications with demonstrated strengths in strategic communications.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments and managing multiple projects with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans that support City Manager and City Council.
• Conduct key research to understand citizens' preferences and coordinate work.
• Proactively develop communications solutions for senior managers.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Critical thinking

Effective written and oral communications

Stakeholder analysis

Education

University degree in communications/public relations or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Creative Suites

Job description

The Communications Consultant provides internal and external strategic communications primarily for the City Manager and Mayor and Council. The position also develops and delivers communications and marketing strategies to maximize effectiveness of corporate priority plans and departmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Communications lead to develop and implement strategic communications plans that support City Manager and City Council as well as the corporate priority plans.
• Develop solutions and processes for complex and varied corporate initiatives – create implement evaluate and continually adapt both a corporate external and internal communications strategy that guides the work of the corporate communications department.
• Conduct key research to ensure strong understanding of citizens key stakeholders community issues/trends and communications preferences. Coordinate the work of relief staff and external consultants.
• Communications lead for key corporate service departments including Human Resources (including labour relations) and financial services.
• Proactively develop communications solutions for senior managers before projects go public to enhance or mitigate corporate reputation.
• Anticipate media interest and proactively prepare Mayor and Council and City Manager to enhance or mitigate negative impact to the organization.
• Develop media relations strategies for complex and varied business challenges – preference is to be proactive must be able to quickly develop and implement reactive media strategies for emergent issues.
• Communications lead for Regional Emergency Operations Center to ensure channels and processes are operational for large scale emergencies throughout the Central Okanagan.
• Develop communications strategies to shape and influence city’s reputation to ensure ongoing public and staff support for city initiatives.
• Responsible for developing and implementing key corporate communications platforms – platforms which are key to delivering city services and information are continually changing in today’s 24/7 virtual world.
• Develop corporate communications policies frameworks and guidelines that guide the actions of all city staff.
• Negotiates branding programs with third party partners to ensure citizens recognize city-owned properties and value for money.
• Responsible for RFP’s and contracts that govern communications.
• Varies annually between $50,000 and $100,000. Builds and manages individual project communications budgets: build case secure funding and manage funds appropriately.

Qualifications

• University degree in communications/public relations or related field.
• Must have a deep and broad understanding of communications theory, strategic communications, stakeholder analysis, media relations theory and agenda setting, public consultation and research. The Communications Consultant must be able to assess various data and input to develop effective solutions.
• Minimum five years experience in communications with demonstrated strengths in strategic communications.
• Critical thinking to ensure effective recommendations to address broad array of communications and business challenges.
• Effective written and oral communications and ability to conduct valid research projects.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environment and managing multiple projects including resources (staff consultants, contractors) with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate with City Manager, Mayor, third party partners and city employees to build productive relationships.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $87,000 to $101,500, depending on qualifications and experience. Most candidates can expect to start in the lower to mid-range of this scale, with opportunities for salary growth based on performance and tenure. We offer progressive employment practices and a great work environment. This is an exempt position that offers a competitive salary, employer-paid comprehensive benefits package, an earned day off program, paid vacation and one of Canada’s top pension plans.

The City of Kelowna is committed to being an organization that values and reflects its community’s diverse population, and to fostering an equitable, inclusive and progressive work environment where everyone can be their authentic self and feels a sense of belonging.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Other Document 1

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• How did you first hear about this career opportunity (select all that apply):
  • Internal Job Posting
  • Referred by a City of Kelowna employee
  • Word of mouth
  • Career Opportunities webpage on kelowna.ca
  • Career Opportunities email from City of Kelowna (e-Subscribe)
  • LinkedIn
  • Indeed.com
  • Professional membership or affiliated website (e.g. CPA, CPHR, PIBC etc)
  • Facebook
  • Other external job search website
  • Other social media source
  • Other
  • Newspaper Advertisement
• Have you previously been employed by the City of Kelowna?
  • Yes
  • No
• How many years of experience do you have developing communication strategies?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• How many years of experience do you have booking and placing ads using print, web and social media?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• How many years of experience do you have working in media relations?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 to 3 years
  • 3 to 5 years
  • More than 5 years
• Describe your level of experience with advertising and creative agencies, radio, and digital media as well as graphics and print houses.
  • None
  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
• What level of proficiency do you have using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point?
  • No experience
  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert>
  • What level of proficiency do you have using Adobe Creative Suites to create graphic presentation materials?
    • No experience
    • Basic
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced
    • I have experience with a similar program