Strategic Communications Officer

**Strategic Communications Officer**

**Competition Number**

2024-403

**Job Code**

1461

**Posting Date**

September 10, 2024

**Closing Date**

September 26, 2024 (at 6:00pm)

**Job Status**

Permanent Full-Time

The **City of Kitchener** is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.The **City of Kitchener** is WHERE you want to work Learn more about the top reasons to join us:
**Why work at the City of Kitchener**

**Position Overview**:

- The Strategic Communications Officer in the Office of Mayor and Council provides strategic communications guidance and support for projects including but not limited to the Mayor’s events, remarks, media relations and government advocacy. Working collaboratively across City departments, this role develops and implements communications plans, including project management, design of materials and evaluation.- An exciting opportunity exists for a Strategic Communications Officer to join the City of Kitchener as a strategic thinker, professional communicator and collaborator. Working with a passionate team of city builders, you will help the Mayor and Council connect with community, fostering a caring, connected and inclusive Kitchener.Reporting to the Chief of Staff in the Office of Mayor and Council, you will play a key role in public relations, supporting the Mayor and our Council and staff team to effectively communicate about Kitchener priorities and issues.If you are a strategic communicator with exceptional written and verbal communications skills, digital media and design experience, project management skills and media relations experience, this is your chance to make a difference in a meaningful and exciting role**Responsibilities**:

- The Constituency Relations and Communications Coordinator in the Office of Mayor and Council provides communications, marketing, community relations and special events support to the City of Kitchener’s Ward Councillors. This role will also support the Council’s communications and constituency relations needs by writing and designing material and creating impactful digital, social and video content that communicates key initiatives. The Coordinator will support key Ward events and other special events lead by the Office of Mayor and Council.- Collaborate with the Chief of Staff to develop the communications strategy for the Office of Mayor & Council.
- Establish and maintain a collaborative and effective working relationship with the Corporate Communications and Marketing division to ensure alignment with corporate messaging and communications planning.
- Support the Mayor, Councillors and Chief of Staff with media relations, including media training and media support.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives; coordinate media interviews for Mayor and Councillors in consultation with Corporate Communications.
- Support the Mayor and Chief of Staff with strategic issues management.
- Work closely with the Office of the Mayor & Council team to identify issues trends and opportunities for key messages, communications tactics and public awareness campaigns.
- Lead the development of a strategic communication plan for Mayor including proactive media pitching, planning and coordinating events and press conferences, developing digital, social media and video content.
- Identify emerging trends and potential issues through ongoing scans of the media (mainstream and social) environment and develop issues management plans; consults with Corporate Communications and Marketing to ensure alignment.
- Write communications materials on behalf of the Mayor including speeches/remarks, statements, news releases, video messages, social media posts and key messages.
- Develop clear, effective, and timely communications tools and templates, such as presentations, speaking notes, news releases, backgrounders and media Q&As.
- Write video scripts, records and edits basic videos to support Mayor and Council initiatives and messages.
- Create impactful graphics and digital design collateral that will support Mayor and Council communications.
- Capture photos and videos of key initiatives and events for communications collateral.
- Attend key community events with Mayor and Council to capture images, support on-site media relations and transition into impactful and timely communications including social media collateral.
- Follow the City of Kitchener corporate branding guidelines and Canadian Press Style Guide
- Work with Chief of Staff and Director, Corporate Communications to monitor the external environment, proactively identify communication needs and responsi