At the City of Kitchener, we believe communication builds belonging and creates a sense of community. Using creativity and innovative thinking, we strive to not only share information, but also engage in meaningful conversations with residents.

We aim to recruit a leader who shares our values - someone who is a savvy storyteller, a digital transformer, a strategically-minded media/issues professional, and a meaningful engager to join our fun, highly skilled, change-making team.

You are:

• A mentor and coach
• An innovator
• A master strategist
• A gifted issues manager
• A media relations maven
• A natural communicator
• A thoughtful engager
• Committed to customer service

If this sounds like you and you have a genuine interest in serving our community, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Responsibilities:

• Managing a team of four communication specialists and an engagement consultant;
• Assigning responsibility for the development and implementation of internal and external communications plans to staff, and provides strategic advice to ensure best-in-class results;
• Developing and implementing communications plans for strategic projects;
• Acting as the central media contact for the City of Kitchener; issue management lead and the designated director alternate-lead for crisis communication during significant events;
• Developing and delivering a strategic media training program for the organization;
• Overseeing the creation and execution of broad and deep public engagement plans.

Requirements:

• You must have a three-year degree or diploma and at least four years of experience in a leadership role in communications, marketing or public relations;
• Must have public service experience and/or client service experience and/or agency-side communications experience developing, executing and overseeing communication plans;
• Must have political acumen: the ability to analyze our current political and social contexts, understand our role as a public institution and have knowledge of our community;
• Proven record of communication experimentation: must have had experience researching, testing and deploying a new tools, approaches or strategies;
• Experience designing and executing public engagement plans;
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and effectively handle changing priorities;
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.

Please note that as per Human Resources Policy #II-110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":

"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 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."

Candidates may be required to complete testing as part of the recruitment process, as it relates to the requirements of this position.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance. Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.