Director of Communications

Pointe-Claire is a city with a population of 34,000 located along Lac Saint-Louis and forming part of Greater Montreal. Recognized for its lifestyle, Pointe-Claire also has a distinctively rich architectural and historical heritage and provides services of outstanding quality to its population. Dedicated to the life of its citizens, the City's mission is to ensure that the quality of its social, cultural and economic environment is maintained for citizens today as well as future generations.

**Description**:
Under the authority of the City Manager, the holder of the position manages all the communication, public relations and media, publicity, publication and event organization activities with an impact on the image and reputation of the City, in cooperation with the Mayor’s office, the City Manager’s office and municipal services. He or she prepares and implements communication plans with a view to achieving the City’s strategic objectives. He or she acts as a communications expert for the municipal administration.

**Departmental mission**:
The mission of the Communications Department is to ensure the quality of the City’s communications with citizens and other audiences and to maintain the City’s reputation and the consistency of its image.

**General responsibilities and goals**:

- Manage the department’s human, financial, material and information resources in accordance with the rules, standards, by-laws and collective agreements in effect, paying particular attention to:

- Workforce planning by providing ongoing training to staff and evaluating performance management to prepare for succession;
- Development and implementation of management performance indicators by ensuring the productivity and meeting the objectives of the Communications Department;
- Preparation of the budget for the department’s operations;
- The various communication programs and tools, including municipal newsletters and the City’s Internet and intranet sites;
- Determine, in cooperation with his or her superior, the policy directions, objectives and priorities of the Communications Department by taking into consideration the department’s mission and that of the City;
- Ensure compliance with the department’s procedures, policies and standards, including the communication policy and graphic standards;
- Ensure the deployment of the annual communications calendar, taking into consideration the established strategies and the needs of the clienteles of the City;
- Play a strategic advisory role in communications for the entire organization with a view to optimizing the City’s corporate image;
- Prepare addresses, speeches and press releases for the Mayor’s office, the City Manager’s Office and municipal departments;
- Act as a spokesperson for the City, manage media relations; deal with requests for information and interviews; provide information or advise the designated spokespersons regarding responses and provide follow-up;
- Ensure the development, introduction and promotion of communication tools based on the new information technologies so as to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and quality of the service offered;
- Ensure sound management of requests at the service counter in a timely manner;
- Guide and support such public relations activities as civic receptions and events; assume the responsibilities of a chief of protocol when needed;
- Maintain effective relationships in the Department, with the other municipal departments, municipal authorities, government authorities, the media and the population in general;
- Participate in internal and external committees, and policy and strategy meetings, and take responsibility for specific projects in his or her sector of activity;
- Coordinate communication activities during emergency measures or situations with an impact on the services offered the public (during a storm, if there are concerns about the drinking water supply, etc.);
- Perform all other related duties required for the proper operation of the department.

**Job requirements**:

- Undergraduate degree in communication, administration or other relevant field;
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in similar duties;
- A graduate degree is a plus;
- Municipal experience is a plus.

Oral and written communications
- Must have sufficient knowledge of French and English to participate effectively in a conversation and in various meetings or working committees.
- Be able to write high quality texts or reports adequately in French or in English. The City has the translation services required to ensure the bilingual production of documents.

Desired organizational skills
- Thoroughness
- Initiative/entrepreneurship
- Internal and external customer focus
- People skills

Other desired skills
- Teamwork and ability to motivate others
- Strategic thinking
- Results orientation
- Management of human, financial and material resources
- Communication
- Ability to help others develop

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