MANAGER PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS (PUBLIC EDUCATION)

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you interested in playing a lead role in the development and delivery of a City of Toronto public education and tour program for Toronto communities? Are you an experienced leader who is passionate about public participation in local decision making? Are you an out of the box thinker who is interested in creating innovative programs that inspire others to participate in local government? Consider joining the City Clerk's Office as the Manager, Partnerships and Community Relations (Public Education).

As Manager, Partnerships and Community Relations (Public Education) you will lead a team of dedicated professionals that oversee the delivery of a public education and tour program. Your goal is to provide strategic planning and tactical delivery of a high-profile community relations program focused on public education and community engagement. You will provide strategic insight to identify relationship-building and partnership opportunities to shape and achieve a successful public education programs, plans and objectives and anticipate and address the evolving needs of communities and external partners.

Key aspects of this role will include:

Help residents understand what local government is, how it works, and how they can get involved.
Create meaningful, inclusive, and accessible public education opportunities for communities that enhance public participation in local decision-making
Establish the City of Toronto as the primary source for public education on local government and how decision-making works in Toronto.
Create strategic partnerships that empower communities to use knowledge about their rights, responsibilities and the workings of local government to push for fairness and equality in policies affecting all Torontonians, improving social cohesion and justice for marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function (e.g. public administration, civic engagement, education, communications, community relations), or an approved combination of education and experience in a large complex organization.
• Considerable experience managing the development and establishment of public education programs or strategy, leading the development and implementation of innovative and high-quality initiatives to support organizational strategies or business needs. This includes integrating research, conducting comprehensive needs assessment, curriculum/course design respecting learning principles and practices, and evaluation of courses, classroom-based learning and/or e-Learning through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens.
• Considerable experience in leading a high performing team by conducting performance reviews, appraisals and plans, effectively managing labour relations matters, and mediating and resolving conflicts within an environment that promotes and fosters teamwork.
• Ability to forge effective partnerships with various stakeholders internal and external to the Division.
• Ability to diagnose training gaps in meeting operational needs and recommend appropriate training and technological solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills along with excellent decision making ability using innovative and outcome oriented leadership.
• Proven ability to organize and lead projects, processes and work teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent decision making ability using innovative and outcome oriented leadership.
• Good knowledge of leadership principles and, practices and techniques
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively facilitate meetings and focus groups
• Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated self-initiation and ability to exercise discretion and judgement, as well as handle multiple projects/reviews concurrently
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of responsibility.
• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Manages assigned projects, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day to day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Provides strategic planning and tactical delivery of a high-profile community relations program focused on, public engagement, outreach and education
• Provides strategic insight to identify relationship-building and partnership opportunities to shape and achieve effective public education programs, plans and objectives.
• Anticipates and addresses the evolving needs of communities and external partners and drives change to improve engagement programs.
• Leads the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor, measure and assess the impact and effectiveness of expansion/development related community relations and public education program/strategy; continuously identifies and advances opportunities with the public to innovate, streamline, and enhance community relations practices.
• Works and collaborates with the senior management team to develop cohesive and comprehensive messaging in support of the City of Toronto's public education priorities and programs on expansion/development initiatives.
• Manages the development and management of program content to expand public awareness through a multitude of media including both digital and traditional media.
• Delivers strategic advice, options and recommendations for issues management, including strategy, analysis, and messaging, as well as identifying and mitigating risks and concerns of City staff, Members of City Council and local partners.
• Represents the City of Toronto when engaging with the public and community organizations at public meetings to present and discuss project details.
• Develops and manages annual and long-term budgets and staffing plans that adhere to corporate standards and any applicable legislated restrictions.
• Acts as the key point of contact for development/expansion inquiries.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to Committees of Council, and Council.
• Manages strategic and effective relations with City staff, Members of City Council, other governments, public agencies and partners.
• Provides strategic advice and recommendations, operational support and professional judgment on complex and contentious issues for the division's Senior Management Team.
• Manages strategic issues in collaboration with senior management and anticipates high profile service area issues in the media or political domain and formulates appropriate responses.
• Identifies and manages emerging issues and priorities, and reacts to unplanned opportunities or crises.
• Advises senior management of actual and anticipated problems and effectively gathers relevant background information with partners, offering consultative advice on wide-ranging issues and drafts appropriate responses.
• Resolves operational and administrative issues on behalf of Director by liaising directly with senior staff across the organization.
• Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with the corporate senior management team, management staff, staff from other City divisions and external partners including Agencies, Boards and Commissions.
• Ensures that the Director is fully briefed on matters, in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner so that the Director is able to provide direction, make decisions and respond to Councillor's questions and concerns, at Committee/on the floor of Council and in the day-to-day operations for the team.
• Ensures the Director is kept fully informed of the matters before Council, its Committees and at Standing Committee Chair briefings. Represents the Director at Standing Committee briefings and supports the Director at City Council and related Standing Committee meetings.
• Drafts reports and responses for the Director on divisional issues, projects, escalated complaints and related matters and provides guidance in the development of briefs, policy documents and other material.
• Consults, advises and communicates with senior staff in the division and corporation, Members of Council and their staff, and other key partners to facilitate issues resolution. Makes recommendations to the Director and gives direction to staff regarding the issues management process.
• Works with Strategic Communications on public and media relations, including effective communication strategies to respond to, manage and track a broad range of service area issues and critical occurrences.
• Maintains a continuous and thorough knowledge of current corporate issues and initiatives.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree