Senior Officer, Communications
About The Position
The mandate of Public Information and Media Relations (PIMR) is to ensure communications efforts are aligned with the City’s priorities and plans while providing strategic communications advice and support to the programs, services and initiatives of the corporation. PIMR delivers strategic communications by: aligning and integrating communications initiatives across the corporation; leveraging new and innovative information channels and technologies, e.g., social media and rich media (video); supporting Council and departments with legislative and policy communications; and managing the City’s emergency communications in support of the Office of Emergency Management. The Media Relations team plays a central role in the City of Ottawa’s interactions with the media and the public. As part of this team, you work collaboratively with internal partners, including senior leadership and elected officials, to strategically engage with external media partners and deliver accurate, timely, transparent and effective information on behalf of the City of Ottawa. This includes building strong professional relationships with journalists, coordinating interviews and media responses, managing media inquiries and deadlines, and navigating sensitive, high-profile issues while protecting and strengthening the City’s brand and reputation. You are also responsible for the planning, development and coordination of comprehensive public education, awareness and corporate communications initiatives, and providing strategic communications advice and support for integrated corporate initiatives and events.
Requirements
- Completion of 4 year university degree in communications, journalism or public relations, or related field
- Minimum of 3 years of related experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing and/or media relations
- Effective communication tactics and techniques using traditional and web-based channels
- Trends in communications industry and approaches
- Microsoft Office and related software such as Adobe InDesign suite
- Photography and videography
- Local and current events
- Effective media relations
- City governance, initiatives, programs and service
- Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers
- Ability to prepare comprehensive communications strategies
- Ability to influence and inform stakeholders regarding the application of communications tactics and techniques
- Effective verbal communications, writing and editing skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to liaise with graphic designers, printers, translators, advertising agencies, etc.
- Ability to organize promotional and media events
- Ability to be creative and think logically
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Time management skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment
- Ability to work directly with City staff, elected officials and senior management
- Ability to identify issues in the public domain
- Demonstrate good judgment, tact, discretion, diplomacy, creativity and initiative
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivated
- Organized and dependable
- Works effectively in high pressure situations
- Interest in current events and public affairs
- Designated Day 1 Ready – immediate requirement for language proficiency: French: oral, reading, writing English: oral, reading, writing
Responsibilities
- Aligning and integrating communications initiatives across the corporation
- Leveraging new and innovative information channels and technologies, e.g., social media and rich media (video)
- Supporting Council and departments with legislative and policy communications
- Managing the City’s emergency communications in support of the Office of Emergency Management
- Strategically engaging with external media partners and deliver accurate, timely, transparent and effective information on behalf of the City of Ottawa
- Building strong professional relationships with journalists
- Coordinating interviews and media responses
- Managing media inquiries and deadlines
- Navigating sensitive, high-profile issues while protecting and strengthening the City’s brand and reputation
- Planning, development and coordination of comprehensive public education, awareness and corporate communications initiatives
- Providing strategic communications advice and support for integrated corporate initiatives and events
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
