Job Description

DescriptionStrategic Communications OfficerCompetition Number2024-403Job Code1461Posting DateSeptember 10, 2024Closing DateSeptember 26, 2024 (at 6:00pm)Job StatusPermanent Full-TimeThe 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: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 responsive tactics.
• Work closely with the Government Relations Planning Team to develop communications collateral that supports strategic government relations priorities including presentations, brochures and other collateral as needed.
• Work with City of Kitchener Corporate Communications & Marketing division to ensure appropriate involvement of Mayor/Members of Council within corporate news releases.
• Prepare Mayor/Council members for all media interviews when required.
• Organize and moderate Mayor\'s press conferences and other media events for the Mayor & Council.
• Participate on project teams and committees to provide communications and marketing representation and expertise on behalf of the Office of the Mayor and Council.
• Provide support at special events hosted by our Mayor and Council.
• Respond to inquiries from the public as required.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Must have a 3-year degree or diploma in communications, public relations, political science, or related field.
• Must have 4-7 years of related and relevant experience including leading or supporting strategic communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and experience to write speeches, media releases, key messages and content for various mediums.
• Knowledge and experience with issues management and media relations best practices.
• Knowledge and experience with online communications, media relations and digital media best practices, including content creation and strategy, social media tools, video, website, analytics and trends.
• Proficiency in project management including organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in basic graphic design using tools such as Canva.
• Knowledge of software programs such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop an asset.
• Knowledge of Canadian Press Style Guide.
• Knowledge and understanding of copyright and infringement legislation or policies.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer with the ability to use software programs such as Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media web-based applications.
• Ability to synthesize content into concise, meaningful information for intended audience.
• Ability to adapt writing styles for different target audiences.
• Ability to recommend appropriate communications strategies and approaches.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member.
• Strong political judgment and stakeholder relations experience.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• 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

The City of Kitchener is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups.We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at , or 519-741-2200 ext. 7261 to make your needs known, so that we can support your full and equal participation throughout the hiring process.We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR-110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full-time and part-time classifications.2. within the same Division in the case of students."DepartmentCorporate ServicesDivisionOffice of the GM, Corporate ServicesUnion AffiliationNon-Union/ManagementNumber of Positions1Hours of Work35 hours per week, Monday to FridayLocationInitial LocationCity HallCityKitchenerCompensationSalary Range$78,480 - 98,101 annuallyEff Nov 1 $81,314 - $101,643Grade/Band9 (under review)

City of Kitchener