Amendment #1
06/22/2023
Please note the posting period has been extended to July 6, 2023

• Job ID: 38542
• Job Category: Communications & Marketing
• Division & Section: Strategic Public & Employee Communications, Communications
• Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen St W, M5H 2N2
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary (12 month) Vacancy
• Salary: $86,500.00 - $108,459.00, Wage Grade 6.0
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 15-June-2023 to 06-July-2023

The Strategic Public and Employee Communications (SPEC) Division is responsible for communicating key City of Toronto programs and services to the public and City staff. SPEC, a high-performing and fast-paced division, is seeking a highly-skilled Communications Advisor to join the Media Relations & Issues Management Unit as well as other candidates interested in being part of a qualified candidates list for vacancies that may become available in any unit of the SPEC division.

Communications Advisor, Media Relations & Issues Management

The Media Relations & Issues Management unit is responsible for developing and delivering media relations and issues management strategies and activities for the City. The unit anticipates, monitors and works to mitigate issues and proactively engage with the media to build strong relationships and achieve balanced and informed coverage. The unit also acts as a lens to ensure the City’s reputation is upheld in relation to issues of public concern. Experience as a spokesperson is considered an asset for this unit.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Developing and implementing strategic communication plans to promote balanced media coverage and enhance the City's reputation
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with media outlets, journalists and interested parties
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging in media responses and materials
• Managing and responding to media queries and requests
• Writing, editing and reviewing media materials including news releases, media bulletins and advisories

• Monitoring media coverage and identifying potential issues to develop effective strategies to mitigate and manage reputational risk
  

Qualified Candidates List

As part of this job competition, SPEC will also be creating a qualified candidate list for other roles that could become available over the next 24 months within the following units. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary Communications Advisor vacancies.

In your cover letter, please specify the unit(s) you are interested in:

• Strategy & Relationships
  
  This section partners with divisions across the City and is responsible for communications planning and strategy. Communication Advisors in this section serve as project managers for communications planning and execution.
  

• Public Education, Marketing & Creative unit
  
  The Public Education, Marketing & Creative unit creates compelling narratives to inform and educate the public through traditional, social and digital advertising campaigns to achieve strategic objectives while reaching diverse audiences.
  

• Digital Engagement unit
  
  The Digital Engagement unit is responsible for providing communications leadership and ownership of the City’s digital channels, including toronto.ca and corporate social media accounts. The unit directs the development of digital communications strategies and content and design standards that support corporate initiatives and brand values.
  
• Employee Communications unit
  
  The Employee Communications unit is responsible for internal corporate communications and developing leadership communications on behalf of the City Manager (the leader of the Toronto Public Service) and senior leadership teams. The unit is also responsible for internal communications planning, execution, employer branding and champions internal programs and channels including the intranet.
  

Key qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in a discipline related to the job function (communications, marketing, public relations, journalism) or a combination of education, experience and transferrable skills

1. Extensive experience (minimum five years) developing and executing communications strategies and plans and developing various communications materials
2. Experience communicating effectively with wide and diverse audiences to communicate complex and nuanced messages in appropriate and easy-to-understand ways using plain language
3. Experience developing communications strategies that effectively target diverse audiences in ways that are culturally appropriate and are accessible and inclusive

1. Superior communication skills with excellent writing and editing skills for all media and audiences
2. Ability to communicate effectively with all management levels
3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail to prioritize and manage assignments and workload under tight timelines and competing deadlines
4. Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and all relevant regulations that apply to the job duties

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

Hybrid Work Program

The City of Toronto's Workplace Modernization Program is re-imagining how we work in our workplace. Its vision is to provide flexibility to our employees around how we work and where we work. It will also support a better work-life balance, improved job satisfaction and employee engagement. Improving the work experience is at the core of this program and everyone plays a significant role in its realization. We have introduced the Hybrid Work Program which supports a more modern and flexible way of working. The hybrid approach will allow us to keep the best of remote work while integrating the important aspects of in-person collaboration and team work.

The hybrid work model is a new way of working that, where operationally feasible, allows employees to work some days in the office and some days remotely. It is supported by the Remote Work Policy. In the hybrid work model, People Leaders will determine remote work arrangements with their team that best support operational requirements.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity .

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request . Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process .