Are you an experienced, dedicated and adaptable communications leader ready to inspire and guide a high-performing team?
The Community Services department is seeking an experienced Senior Communications Advisor to provide strategic advice and leadership to support the City’s housing and homelessness portfolio. As a supervisor, you will be instrumental in nurturing a high-performing team with a strong culture. As a seasoned communications and marketing professional, you will lead and mentor your team to design and deliver strategic communications and marketing plans that make a difference. Rooted in evidence and insights, and with a commitment to continuous improvement, you will work with your team to deliver strategies that achieve measurable results. As a trusted advisor, you will provide advice to leaders to build, nurture and protect the City’s reputation, and to enhance our relationships with key community partners.
What will you do?
Develop, supervise and motivate a team of high-performing communications professionals to produce excellent work for the department and for Edmontonians
Support your team members in creating, refining and implementing strategic communications and marketing plans for portfolios, programs and services
Support complex projects with multiple partners that can shift direction quickly
Champion integration of communications and engagement plans and services within Community Services and across City departments
Identify emerging issues and provide strategic consultation and issues management advice to senior managers
Ensure communications and marketing strategies are informed by market research, public opinion research, public engagement insights, and industry best practices
Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of communications and marketing strategies
Ensure corporate and department processes are communicated to the team and followed
Assist with or lead the hiring and management of external contractors and consultants for public communications, marketing, and engagement activities
Collaborate with internal Communications and Engagement partners (digital services, media relations, creative services, corporate research, and brand teams) to ensure high-quality work aligns with City standards and industry best practices
Collaborate with external Communications partners, including other orders of government and community partners
Oversee portfolio media relations, including proactive pitching, media monitoring, managing inquiries, coaching spokespeople, media events, and fostering strong media relationships
Liaise with public engagement teams to support the implementation of engagement initiatives, as needed
Be adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds
University graduation in a communications, public relations or related field, supplemented by a minimum of four (4) years progressively responsible experience in a designated public relations, public affairs or public information position with at least two (2) years' communications experience in a similar organization, and one (1) year of experience in a related supervisory capacity
-or-
Diploma in a communications, public relations or related field, supplemented by a minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in a designated public relations, public affairs or public information position with at least two (2) years' communications experience in a similar organization and one (1) year of experience in a related supervisory capacity
Assets:
Accreditation in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
Previous or current Incident Command System certification is an asset
Knowledge of City Plan
Knowledge of land development and/or the housing and homelessness sectors
Skills Required for success:
Extensive knowledge of the requirements of mass communication media, internal and external communications planning, and public relations principles and practices.
Demonstrated experience in a supervisory role supplemented by demonstrated collaborative and team-building skills.
Experience in successfully creating, developing, implementing, and evaluating communication and marketing plans.
Extensive traditional media relations understanding and experience
Digital and social media understanding and experience
Superior issues identification and management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and competing deadlines.
Experience and proficiency with contemporary computer technologies (e.g. Google platform, Adobe suite, etc.)
Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment:
Applicants may be tested
The City of Edmonton is committed to inclusive, respectful and equitable workplaces that represent the communities we serve. We continuously improve our systems, policies and practices to remove barriers and ensure our employees, in all their diversity, can succeed. We value applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourage you to apply. To learn more, see the Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework here: https://bit.ly/3hd2d95.
The City of Edmonton strives to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the application and selection process. If you would like to request an accommodation at any stage of the process, please contact Employment@edmonton.ca.
Up to 1 permanent full-time position available
Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week.
Hours of work may be subject to the terms and conditions of a variable hours of work program.
The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.
Salary: $50.887- $63.952 (Hourly) $89,650.170 - $112,667.440 (Annually)
Talent Acquisition Consultant: DM/VH
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
