Strategist, Corporate Communications

CityofOttawa•Ottawa, ON

3d•CA$93,765 - CA$114,098•Onsite

About The Position

Public Information and Media Relations (PIMR) informs and engages Ottawa residents on City programs, services and issues that are paramount to their participation as residents and that help improve their quality of life. PIMR leads the centralized communications of the City to ensure they align with the City’s priorities, focused on inclusivity and provide critical information during times of emergency that safeguard residents’ trust and confidence in the City. PIMR also oversees the Public Engagement Strategy for the City, and the corporate brand strategy. PIMR delivers strategic communications by: aligning and integrating communications initiatives across the corporation; leveraging new and innovative information channels and technologies; supporting Council and departments with legislative and policy communications; and leading the City’s emergency and major incident communications in support of the Office of Emergency Management. The Media Relations team is an exciting place to be at the centre of the City of Ottawa’s interactions with the media and the public. As a member of this team, you will work collaboratively with internal partners, including senior leadership and elected officials, to strategically engage with external media industry partners to deliver accurate, timely, transparent and effective information on behalf of the City of Ottawa. This involves building strong professional relationships with journalists, coordinating interviews and media responses, managing media inquiries and deadlines, and navigating sensitive, high-profile issues while protecting the City of Ottawa’s brand and reputation. You are also responsible for providing functional leadership and strategic communications advice to the Director, executive management and senior management in the planning, development and implementation of effective communications strategies, plans, tools and tactics for high-profile, high-risk and/or City-wide programs, services, while protecting the brand of the City. The Corporate Communications Strategist is responsible for providing communications support to the City’s legislative agenda, for supporting City communications in times of crisis or emergency, for developing, writing and editing various communications products and for participating in the development of the Annual Strategic Corporate Communications Plan/Calendar. The Corporate Communications Strategist advises on, develops and implements corporate issues management strategies in consultation with senior management, the appropriate departments and/or Council, as well as business support services for Public Information and Media Relations. The Communications Strategist also liaises with the Mayor’s Office, Committee Chairs and Council members pertaining to high-profile and/or major corporate issues and programs.

Requirements

Four (4) year university undergraduate degree in journalism or communications, or an equivalent combination of experience and training in a related field.
Eight (8) years experience, with at least five (5) years in the field of communications, public relations, marketing and/or media relations, with progressive experience in projects of increasing complexity.
Expert knowledge of strategic communications
Expert knowledge of how to analyze and dissect complex corporate issues, and design and implement communications strategies accordingly
Knowledge of the workings and organization of both the local and national media
Knowledge of how to prepare written material or to prepare responses for the public and media
Expert knowledge of how municipal government (and specifically City of Ottawa) functions in terms of organizational structure, mandate, relationship with other levels of government, etc.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft productivity software (Word, Excel and Outlook)
Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers
Ability to predict how an issue will be perceived in the public domain, in order to prepare accordingly
Strong political acumen
Proven ability to develop complex communications strategies for high-risk/high-profile issues
Well developed strategic communications skills: proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Well developed interpersonal skills: proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization; exceptional verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to deal effectively with senior management, elected official and the public
Ability to develop communications with an equity, diversity and inclusion lens
Ability to work effectively within tight deadlines
Ability to think clearly and adapt to change during high pressure and/or stressful situations
Excellent research skills both on the internet and via traditional methods
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to advise/direct other team members
Ability to work as a motivating group leader or as a highly motivated team member
Designated Day 1 Ready – immediate requirement for language proficiency: French: oral, reading, writing English: oral, reading, writing Candidates must meet language requirement for position upon hire.

Responsibilities

Aligning and integrating communications initiatives across the corporation
Leveraging new and innovative information channels and technologies
Supporting Council and departments with legislative and policy communications
Leading the City’s emergency and major incident communications in support of the Office of Emergency Management
Building strong professional relationships with journalists
Coordinating interviews and media responses
Managing media inquiries and deadlines
Navigating sensitive, high-profile issues while protecting the City of Ottawa’s brand and reputation
Providing functional leadership and strategic communications advice to the Director, executive management and senior management in the planning, development and implementation of effective communications strategies, plans, tools and tactics for high-profile, high-risk and/or City-wide programs, services, while protecting the brand of the City
Providing communications support to the City’s legislative agenda
Supporting City communications in times of crisis or emergency
Developing, writing and editing various communications products
Participating in the development of the Annual Strategic Corporate Communications Plan/Calendar
Advising on, developing and implementing corporate issues management strategies in consultation with senior management, the appropriate departments and/or Council, as well as business support services for Public Information and Media Relations
Liaising with the Mayor’s Office, Committee Chairs and Council members pertaining to high-profile and/or major corporate issues and programs