Communications Advisor

CommunicationsAdvisor

JobType:Full-timePermanent

JobPosting#:2026-23

ClosingDate:OpenUntilFilled

Group:Non-Union

Department:CityManager’sOffice

Location:OwenSound,ON

TheCityofOwenSoundisseekingacreative,strategic,andcollaborativeprofessionaltoserveasCommunicationsAdvisor.ReportingtotheSeniorManager,StrategicInitiativesandOperationalEffectiveness,thisroleleadstheplanningandexecutionofinternalandexternalcommunicationsandengagementinitiativesthatsupporttheCity'sstrategicpriorities,corporateprojects,andcoreservice.

AsakeymemberoftheCityManager'sOffice,theCommunicationsAdvisorplaysanimportantroleinstrengtheningpublictrust,enhancingtheCity'sreputation,andfosteringmeaningfulengagementwithresidents,staff,Council,media,andcommunitystakeholders.Thispositionisbeingpostedforanexistingvacancy.

WhatYou’llDo

StrategicCommunications

• Developandimplementcommunicationplansandstrategiesthatfocusonbuildingtrustwiththecommunityforcorporatepriorities,initiativesandcoreservice
• Leadinternalandexternalcommunicationsprojectsthatadvanceorganizationalgoalsandstrengthenstakeholderrelationships.
• Provideadviceandsupportonissuesmanagement,changecommunications,andemergingcommunicationopportunities.
• Developpolicies,procedures,andcommunicationstandardsthatsupportconsistentandeffectivemessagingacrosstheorganization.
• Createaccessible,engaging,andinclusivecommunicationmaterialsthatreflecttheCity'scommitmenttoequity,diversity,andinclusion.

CommunityEngagement

• AdministertheCity'spublicengagementplatformandsupportdepartmentsindeliveringmeaningfulpublicconsultationinitiatives.
• HelpdevelopandmaintaintheCity'scommunityengagementframeworkandbestpractices.
• Provideguidanceonengagementstrategies,stakeholderoutreach,andreportingonengagementoutcomes.
• Fosterrelationshipswithcommunitygroupsandsupportinitiativesthatstrengthenpublicparticipationandunderstandingofmunicipalservices.

Media&PublicRelations

• Serveastheprimarycontactformediainquiriesandcoordinatetimely,accurateresponses.
• Prepareanddistributemediareleases,briefingnotes,mediakits,andkeymessages.
• Monitormediacoverageandemergingissuesandprovideanalysisandrecommendationstoleadership.
• SupportproactivemediaoutreachandpublicrelationscampaignsthatpromotetheCity'sservices,initiatives,andaccomplishments.

DigitalCommunications&BrandManagement

• OverseeandenhancetheCity'swebsiteandintranet,ensuringcontentremainsaccessible,relevant,anduptodate.
• Developcontentforsocialmediaplatforms,electronicsignage,anddigitalcommunicationchannels.
• Createanddesignmarketingandcommunicationmaterialsthatalignwithcorporatebrandingstandards.
• Promotebrandconsistencyandprovideguidanceonvisualidentityandcommunicationbestpracticesacrosstheorganization.

CrisisCommunications

• Supportemergencymanagementandcrisiscommunicationactivitiesbyassistingwithpublicinformationandstakeholdercommunications.
• Developcommunicationsapproachesforsensitiveorhigh-profileissuesandassistwithrisk-relatedcommunicationsplanning.

WhatWe’reLookingFor

Education&Experience

• UniversitydegreeinCommunications,PublicRelations,Journalism,Marketing,PublicAdministration,PoliticalScience,orarelatedfield.
• Minimumfive(5)yearsofprogressivelyresponsiblecommunicationsexperience,includingdevelopingstrategiccommunicationplansandleadingcomplexcommunicationsinitiatives.
• Experienceinpublicsectorormunicipalcommunicationsisconsideredanasset.

Skills&Competencies

• Exceptionalwriting,editing,storytelling,andverbalcommunicationskills.
• Strongjudgmentandanalyticalabilitiesrelatedtostakeholderengagement,issuesmanagement,andcommunicationsplanning.
• AdvancedproficiencywithAdobeCreativeSuite,includingIllustrator,InDesign,andPhotoshop.
• Experiencemanagingsocialmediaplatformsanddigitalcommunicationtools.
• Excellentorganizational,projectmanagement,andtimemanagementskills.
• Abilitytotranslatecomplexortechnicalinformationintoclear,accessible,andengagingcontent.
• Stronginterpersonalskillsandtheabilitytobuildcollaborativerelationshipswithstaff,electedofficials,mediarepresentatives,andcommunitystakeholders.

OtherRequirements

• Abilitytoattendeveningmeetings,specialevents,andemergencyresponseactivitieswhenrequired.
• ValidOntarioClassGdriver'slicenceandaccesstoareliablevehicle.
• Abilitytoexercisediscretion,maintainconfidentiality,andmanagesensitiveinformation.

Compensation&Benefits

• Wage: $45.46-$55.44hourly,35hoursperweek.
• Benefits: Comprehensiveemployer-paidExtendedHealth&Dentalplan,andOMERSdefinedbenefitpensionplan.

WhyJoinUs?

Joinaforward-thinkingorganizationwhereyourworkdirectlyinfluenceshowresidents,staff,andstakeholdersconnectwiththeirlocalgovernment.You'llhelpshapetheCity'svoice,strengthencommunitytrust,andsupportmeaningfulengagementacrossawiderangeofmunicipalinitiatives.

WhyOwenSound?

OwenSoundoffersurbanamenitieswithnaturalbeauty—avibrantartsscene,strongcommunityspirit,andyear‑roundrecreationalopportunitiesalongtheshoresofGeorgianBay.

HowtoApply:

InterestedcandidatesshouldsubmittheirapplicationsviatheCity’sCareersPage.Wearecommittedtoinclusive,barrier-freerecruitmentandencourageapplicationsfromallqualifiedindividuals.Accommodationsareavailableuponrequest.

EqualOpportunityEmployerStatement:

TheCityofOwenSoundvaluesdiversityandiscommittedtoprovidinganinclusiveworkplace.WewillaccommodatetheneedsofapplicantsinaccordancewiththeHumanRightsCodeandtheAccessibilityfor OntarianswithDisabilitiesActthroughoutthehiringprocess.

TheCityofOwenSoundiscommittedtoafair,transparent,andpeople-centredrecruitmentprocess.Whilemoderntoolsmayassistinadministrativetasks,allhiringdecisionsaremadebypeople,andeveryapplicationisreviewedbyamemberofourHumanResourcesteam.

Wedonotuseautomateddecision-makingorartificialintelligencetoolstoscreenoutoreliminateapplicants.Anytechnologyusedinthehiringprocessisdesignedsolelytosupportefficiency—nottoreplacehumanjudgmentorevaluateapplicantsuitability.

PrivacyStatement:

Wethankallapplicantsfortheirinterest;onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.PersonalinformationiscollectedundertheauthorityoftheMunicipalActforthepurposeofcandidateselection.ItwillbemaintainedinaccordancewiththeMunicipalFreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyAct.

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