Communications Advisor

Why Guelph:
**What we offer**
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

- Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
- Paid personal days;
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
- Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
- Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
- Employee and Family Assistance Program;
- Parental leave top up program;
- Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
- Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview:
**Key duties and responsibilities**
- Create, develop, edit, implement, and evaluate a range of communications products and strategies, initiatives and programs designed to inform and engage the public, employees, and other government agencies.
- Research and write communications material for internal and external audiences.
- Research and write speeches, presentations, press releases, columns, letters, and other documents to foster effective communication with the desired audience.
Provide assistance to the Mayor on all community/public relations issues.
- Develop, document, and maintain standard operating protocols for a variety of tasks, including external requests for support, events and communications with other levels of government.
- Make recommendations to the Mayor regarding improvements based on trends, complaints or new ventures that promote the Mayor’s office and the City of Guelph.
- In collaboration with the Strategic Communications division of the Strategic Communications and Community Engagement department, identify emerging issues and develop and implement issues management strategies and key messages.
- In collaboration with the Policy and Intergovernmental Services division of the Strategic Initiatives and Intergovernmental Services department, support advocacy and government relations initiatives, projects, and related stakeholder outreach.
- Develop and organize meetings, special events, announcements, and ceremonies initiated by the Mayor’s Office to promote Guelph and foster effective relations with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Plan and write content for the Mayor’s office web page.
- Assist the Mayor with planning, executing, and evaluating social media strategies and programs, including ongoing monitoring and management of mayor’s social media channels, video creation, and video and photo editing.
- Maintain the accessibility of the Mayor’s office by establishing a good working relationship with the media, acting as a liaison with community groups, and participating in various committees and task forces.
- As directed, act as spokesperson for the Mayor and answer written and oral inquiries.
- Provide support to the Mayor on various projects as requested.
- Provide assistance (constituent inquiries, scheduling, etc.) during absences of the Mayor’s Executive Assistant.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

**Qualifications and requirements**
- Completion of post-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism, or related discipline.
- Considerable experience in public relations, promotions, marketing, and event planning in a private or public sector organization.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and assignments to meet deadlines.
- Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate with the City’s constituents, businesses, members of Council, and all levels of staff.
- Ability to communicate complex topics in a clear, understandable way under short timelines and in the real-time context of social media.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and constructive relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization, members of Council, and representatives of external organizations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), website maintenance, social media platforms, and video and photo editing tools.
- Excellent research and analytical skills with the ability to collect and interpret data for the development of communication strategies.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise tact and diplomacy in all undertakings.
- Ability to exercise political acumen and influence.
- Public sector/municipal experience would be an asset.
- Experience working in support of elected representatives and their communications/public relations initiatives would be an asset.

**Hours of work**
35 hours per week; Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Available to work flexible hours to attend evening and/or weekend meetings and special projects. This position is eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangement options (as per current corporate policy).

**Pay/Salary**
Non-Union Grade: 5: $81,486.60 - $101,858.25

**How to apply