Interim Manager, Corporate Communications

**Manager, C**orporate Communications**

**Temporary Full Time for Approximately 18 Months**

**Job**S**tatus**:
Temporary Full-Time

approximately 18 months

**Pay & Grade**:
$103,829 - $129,788 annually, Grade 11

**Hours** of Work**:
35 hours a week

**Initial location**:
Kitchener City Hall

**Posting period**:
January 30, 2025 - February 14, 2025 at 6:00pm

**Overview**

The City of Kitchener is seeking a strategic communications professional to lead the Corporate Communications team, with a focus on planning, directing, and coordinating communication activities for the City. This role involves managing internal and external communications to ensure that information is accurately and effectively disseminated to the public, media, and employees. The Communications Manager plays an important role in enhancing the City’s public image, ensuring transparency, and fostering engagement with the community. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing, this role is part of the City’s Communications & Marketing team within the Corporate Services department.

**Responsibilities**
- ** Team leadership**: Lead and mentor a team of four Communications Associates and one Community Engagement Consultant.
- **Public Relations & media management**: Develop and maintain positive relationships with media representatives, community leaders, and the public. Prepare or oversee news releases, support staff and Council members with media messaging, respond to media inquiries. Monitor media coverage, provide strategic media relations advice and coordinate media training.
- **Content Creation**: Oversee the creation of content for Kitchener publications, newsletters, website, and other communication channels.
- **Internal Communications**: Work with key internal partners and team members to coordinate communication strategies to ensure employees are informed and engaged.
- **Crisis Communication**: Develop and implement crisis communication plans and briefing notes to manage communication during emergencies or unforeseen events.
- **Campaigns**: Oversee the planning and execution of communication campaigns to promote City programs, services and events. Measure the effectiveness of campaigns and adjust strategies as needed.
- **Community Engagement**: Support key staff to engage the community and gather feedback. Performs other related duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:

- A 3-year bachelor’s degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
- 4 - 7 years of relevant experience, including experience in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams to develop effective, efficient and responsive service delivery strategies and processes.
- Public service experience and/or client service experience and/or agency-side communications experience developing, executing and overseeing communications and/or public relations.
- Knowledge and experience with strategic communications planning and best practices, with the ability to analyze and manage issues and successfully inform and engage internal and external audiences on key City decisions, programs, services, and initiatives.
- Political acumen and awareness of local context: the ability to analyze our current political and social contexts, understand our role as a public institution and have knowledge of our community.
- Understanding of media relations, best practices and local media outlets and reporters.
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and effectively handle changing priorities.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills in order to proofread material; write reports, manage expectations, and instruct and train others in specific work methods and/or procedures.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent collaboration and customer service skills to advance key projects and work effectively with internal and external partners.
- Ability to manage multiple budgets and work efficiently with cross-functional teams
- Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization. Ability to travel to various locations across the City.
- Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

- 2-Year Diploma (or 2-Year Specialized Post-Secondary Program) with minimum 7 years related and relevant experience OR
- 4-Year Honours Degree with minimum 2 years related and relevant experience

**Department/**Division**:
Corporate Services, Corporate Communications and Marketing

**Group**:
Non-Union/Management

**Competition Number**:
2025-039

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