Senior Communications Advisor – Media Relations
City of Toronto
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Toronto • Canada
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Salary
💰 CA$103,431 - CA$141,247 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Plan, coordinate and execute press conferences, technical briefings and on-site media opportunities.
- Develop clear, compelling media materials that translate complex or technical information into accessible narratives.
- Seek out proactive storytelling opportunities and pitch to local and national media outlets.
- Respond to high volumes of media inquiries — including contributing to the 15,000+ media interactions received annually through media@toronto.ca.
- Provide on-camera, on-the-record and live interview support as a spokesperson, when required.
- Prepare City spokespeople for interviews, public appearances and media conferences.
- Contribute to and deliver media training for staff and leaders across the organization.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior management, divisional partners and stakeholders across the City.
- Lead integrated communications approaches that align with organizational priorities and apply best practices in measurement and engagement.
- Mentor and guide communications staff, promoting high standards and consistent application of communications principles.
- Ensure communications practices respect equity, diversity and inclusion, and effectively reach multilingual and diverse audiences.
- Monitor emerging issues, Council and Committee agendas, policies, and media coverage to assess potential impacts on the City.
- Provide real-time strategic advice to senior leaders during incidents, emergencies and reputational risks.
- Lead the development of issues management and crisis communications strategies.
- Support after-hours and weekend issues response as part of a rotating standby schedule.
Requirements
- Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function, such as journalism, communications, marketing or combined equivalent of education and experience.
- Extensive experience in corporate communications, public affairs or marketing within a complex public or private sector organization.
- Extensive experience in proactive and reactive media relations, issues management and crisis communications, including advising senior officials.
- Extensive experience using data and insights to guide decision-making, monitor trends and evaluate communications effectiveness.
- Strong leadership abilities with experience guiding teams and influencing decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Ability to cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships with colleagues, partners and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including superior writing and editing expertise.
- Knowledge of outreach strategies for diverse and multilingual audiences, applying an inclusive and culturally responsive communications lens.
- Demonstrated passion for public service and for telling compelling, people-centered stories about the City.
- A strong narrative and storytelling instinct, with the ability to make complex information meaningful and engaging.
- Training in Incident Management System (IMS) or emergency management best practices is an asset.
- Experience serving as a media spokesperson is an asset.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
media relationsissues managementcrisis communicationsdata analysiscommunications effectivenessnarrative developmentstorytellingmedia trainingpublic affairsmarketing
Soft Skills
leadershipcollaborationrelationship buildingdiscretionorganizational skillsmultitaskingcommunicationinfluencetrust cultivationpressure management