Senior Communications Advisor - Fast Hire

We are hiring a creative Senior Communications Advisor to join our all-star team at City of Mississauga in Mississauga, ON.
Growing your career as a Full Time Senior Communications Advisor is a fantastic opportunity to develop relevant skills.
If you are strong in project management, communication and have the right personality for the job, then apply for the position of Senior Communications Advisor at City of Mississauga today!

Req ID: 23313
Vacancy Type: Permanent 
Number of Positions: 1
Closing Date: 05/08/2023

Job Summary

 

The Strategic Communications & Initiatives team is looking for a seasoned Senior Communications Advisor to provide expert-level advice to senior decision-makers, develop communications strategies for high-priority initiatives, and implement tactics for complex and special projects happening in Mississauga. 

In this role, the Senior Communications Advisor will manage communications for a variety of city building initiatives and community engagement projects and will support the City’s Planning & Building portfolio. They will recommend, develop and implement internal and external communications along with media, social media and promotional strategies that help the City of Mississauga’s strategic plan, department action and business plans. They will provide day-to-day functional guidance and leadership to junior and intermediate staff and freelance and consultant service providers. Lead the development and writing of corporate messages on complex issues (e.g. city planning issues, growth and development and government relations). Work collaboratively with Department Communications team to execute complex communication strategies. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans
• Research and write content (e.g., news releases, signage, advertising, feature articles, corporate reports, speeches, newsletter copy and staff messages) that support the business service area
• Develop engaging content for the City’s social media channels
• Lead strategic communications for high profile community engagement projects
• Develop and foster strong relationships with internal business areas to effectively recommend and deliver strategic communications that support work plans
• Provide strategic communications counsel/advice to Mayor’s Office and to Members of Council as requested
• Liaise with senior leadership to provide strategic communications counsel on messaging, strategic planning and the development of relevant core materials
• Provide issues management/communications advice and support to senior management as required on matters impacting the reputation of the business area
• Understand target audiences and assess appropriate strategic communications needs and provide strong recommendations
• Work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure consistency, demonstrate effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance
• Protect, support and maintain the City’s reputation and vision and support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Participate in inter-departmental teams and/or act as a representative on committees as required
• Participate as a member of the Strategic Communication & Initiatives Emergency Management Team
• Attend City events, workshops and other initiatives to promote further understanding of the business area
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Must be able to attend meetings, events and activities outside of regular business hours and some weekends (e.g. meetings, events, emergencies or to meet deadlines)
  
   

Skills and Qualifications

 

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, mass media or public relations with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications/issues management
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage several competing, complex and evolving projects at the same time 
• Has a sound understanding of the media landscape locally, regionally and nationally and experience dealing with media/media inquiries
• Experience using and strong knowledge of how to develop engaging content and tailor messages for different social media channels/platforms and segmented audience groups 
• Has a good understanding of how to tailor messages for different social media channels
• Comfort with writing various materials that help garner media coverage and story generation
• Act as an effective collaborator and team player, supporting the Strategic Communications & Initiatives Division’s overall goals and vision with a proactive and flexible approach to projects
• Ability to coach and mentor staff
• Ability to problem-solve and look for creative and viable solutions
• Ability to communicate with honesty, sensitivity, diplomacy, confidentiality and deal tactfully in an open political environment
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, writing content for diverse audiences, editing and production skills - familiar with Canadian Press Style
• Competencies required in all aspects of strategic communications including planning and management, issues management, content writing, media relations, speech writing, community engagement, event co-ordination and management and internal/employee communications
• Experience providing clients with strategic communications advice, counsel and expertise 
• Ability to work creatively and effectively as a member of a larger team
• Excellent skills and knowledge working with MS Office, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, Content Management Systems (CMS), social media technology and data analytics 
• Experience in a corporate and/or municipal sector is preferred 
• Ability to work flexible work hours including weekends (as needed) 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Ability to display tact and diplomacy when interacting with Senior Leaders, Mayor and Council and dignitaries
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) accreditation, Communication Management Professional (CMP), Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP), Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), Master of Communications Management (MCM) is a desired asset
• A Level 2- Criminal or Judicial Matters Check (previously Regular CRS) will be required of the successful candidate, as a condition of employment, at their own expense, to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
  
   

Hourly Rate/Salary: $ 85,155.00 - $ 113,541.00 
Hours of Work: 35 
Work Location: Hybrid, work from home and in person at Civic Center #LI-HYBRID  
Department/Division/Section: CMO/City Manager's Office , CMO/Strategic Communications&Initiatives , Corporate & Department Communication 
Non-Union/Union: Non Union 

 

A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Level 2) or Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted. We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. You can also check your application status in your candidate profile online.  All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Mississauga will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

 

 

Benefits of working as a Senior Communications Advisor in Mississauga, ON:

● Learning opportunities
● Opportunities to grow
● Attractive package

● Remote Work opportunity