Communications Assistant

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Position: Communications Assistant

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Reporting to the Member of Parliament, the Communications Assistant provides a wide range of communications and project coordination support services. The incumbent is responsible for handling all communications on behalf of the Member and works with other members of the team to provide excellent service to the Member’s constituents and to support the Member’s parliamentary work. The incumbent is a key operational strategist in advancing and facilitating the Member’s main objectives and priorities through outreach, communications, events planning and other strategic activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Creates and manages content for the Member’s Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts.
- Develops quarterly Member newsletters and regular localized mail-outs.
- Drafts speeches for the Member to deliver at community events and in the House of Commons, as well as tracks and logs public appearances.
- Prepares news releases and organizes press conferences and other media events. Drafts and disseminates press releases, quotes and comments to the media. Prepares and coordinates advertising in local media.
- Builds and maintains good relationships with the media, coordinates interviews, and prepares media lines.
- Represents the Member as a spokesperson at events, meetings and gatherings.
- Maintains and continually improves an effective media monitoring system to maximize the Member’s opportunities for exposure.
- Monitors Parliament and other government legislatures and bodies for upcoming motions, debates and statements.
- Reviews all correspondence and information notes for the Member’s attention to ensure accuracy and uniformity as well as correct style, format and content. Makes changes to documents as needed.
- Formats complex documents including presentations, reports, memos, forms and minutes for distribution to internal and external clients.
- Performs other related duties within the scope of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Extensive knowledge of communications theories, principles, practices and delivery methods.
- Knowledge of multimedia communication technologies, social media platforms and mobile technology to capitalize on technological advancements in information gathering and environmental scanning.
- Knowledge of media relations management principles and approaches to develop news releases and backgrounders with consistency, speed and efficiency.
- Knowledge of issues management principles and practices to develop strategic responses and properly brief management on the communications and messaging requirements relating to sensitive and complex matters.
- Knowledge of current events and the political and parliamentary environment combined with superior communications skills to provide strategic communications products and services relating to high-profile, politically sensitive issues. Deep interest in Canadian politics and awareness of current global issues.
- Experience creating images and videos for social media and ability to actively participate in social media.
- Ability to establish and manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and work independently to efficiently manage multiple and concurrent projects in a high stress environment.
- Tact, diplomacy, high degree of discretion and superior skill in building and maintaining work relationships with internal and external clients.
- Organization and priority-setting skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Superior written and verbal communications skills.
- Ability to research, analyze and synthesize complex findings within a short time frame.

Education and Experience:

- Experience working in an office setting providing communications and administrative support.
- University degree or post-secondary education from a recognized institution in communications, journalism or a related field, combined with experience in communications involving large projects and working with senior management or an acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $40,000.00-$50,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Overtime

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

- SCARBOROUGH, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: One location