JOB POSTING: Manager, Communications

We are looking for a Manager, Communications to join our Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York team at City Hall! 

Ausma Malik is the Deputy Mayor and City Councillor in Ward 10, Spadina–Fort York. Councillor Malik and team are committed to serving our Ward 10 constituents through creating strong relationships, facilitating productive collaboration, and by championing local issues at City Hall. Together we can build a green, just and caring city for all.

Our office is dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-evolving, much like the ward itself: Ward 10 is home to 136,000+ residents, spans the city’s waterfront, is made up of over a dozen downtown core neighbourhoods, and features 13 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).

Job brief

The Ward 10 Office is seeking a strategic, creative, and detail-oriented communicator who has excellent written and verbal communication skills, sees their work through an equity and social justice lens, and thrives in a political environment. 

As a member of the Ward 10 team, the Manager, Communications is accountable for continuously (1) engaging priority audiences with relevant information, including news, stories and opportunities for participation in community and city life; and, (2) developing and maintaining priority outreach channels.

Reports to: Chief of Staff

• Job type: Full-time permanent
• Target start date: October 2023
• Hours and Location: 35-hour work week. The position is based out of Toronto City Hall. 
• Compensation:  $60,000 - $65,000 per year, based on experience, with a health benefits package and three weeks paid vacation.

Main Responsibilities

• Maintains an in-depth knowledge of Ward 10, community, and city-wide municipal matters, and issues of greatest concern to the Councillor and her constituents.
• Coordinates the continuous development and implementation of a Communications Plan in collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Issues Management.
• Translates community outreach goals into a set of specific communication strategies and activities:
  • Maintains and optimizes the Councillor's website and public events bulletin.
  • Routinely monitors and keeps the Councillor’s social media channels current (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).
  • Prepares and publishes print and electronic newsletters (e.g. e-blasts) at a regular interval, and other mailings as required, in collaboration with the Director of Policy and Issues Management.
  • Supports media relations and preparation for interviews and press conferences. This includes monitoring broadcast, print, and digital channels and briefing the Councillor, Chief of Staff and/or rest of the team on media developments as necessary.
  • Drafts news articles, columns, and letters to the editor as requested.
  • Coordinates the Ward 10 office editorial calendar.
  • Creates appropriate graphics, visual elements, and videos of the Councillor’s activities for social and other digital media.
• Establishes the workflow management systems and team practices necessary for timely and effective communications:
  • Assists with and contributes to the maintenance of the Ward 10 database.
  • Supports the development of office policies and procedures related to communications.
  • Maintains confidentiality with respect to all issues involving the City and the Councillor, and adheres to the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

Who we’re looking for

• You have 3-5 years experience in a communications role. You can demonstrate a deep understanding of your audiences and professional communications practices across a variety of channels and projects.
• You are a natural collaborator and are energized by team work. You have a proven ability to meet deadlines within a fast-paced, creative, and highly collaborative environment.
• You are a talented communicator. Strong verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to adapt your communications style to suit different audiences and contexts, are a must.
• You have an understanding of the Toronto political landscape and the issues pressing on communities, such as housing, public health, transit, social services, equity and social justice.
• You have an interest in City of Toronto departments, services, and constituency reporting processes; previous experience with and/or knowledge of the City is an asset.
• You know how to harness the power of social media and the distinctive value of each channel to reach specific audiences and achieve communications goals.
• You have excellent graphic design skills and practice the craft of effective messaging daily.
• You can demonstrate a practical knowledge of various communications tools and platforms within an organizational ecosystem (eg. Adobe Suite, Canva, Hootsuite, Nation Builder, Wordpress).
• You have an advanced proficiency in email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp)
• You have an advanced proficiency with customer relationship management (CRM) and database management software. (e.g. NationBuilder, Salesforce, CivicTrack)
• You have proficiency and experience with the Microsoft Suite, as well as workplace collaboration tools (i.e. Google Workspace, Slack).
• You have excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills to operate – and generate output – under pressure and with a high degree of attention to detail.
• You are available to work occasional evenings and occasional weekends as required.

Compensation

$60,000 – $65,000 per year, based on experience. Full Benefits Package through the City of Toronto. 

Currently, the Ward 10 team works in our City Hall office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Mondays and Fridays, employees have the option of working remotely.

Councillor Ausma Malik’s office is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or record of offenses.

We will gladly provide accommodation to candidates with disabilities during the application process. Please contact [email protected] to make arrangements.

The closing date is Tuesday September 5, 2023 at 12:00 ET. Please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: “Application: Manager, Communications.” 

We thank all applicants for their interest! Please note: only those candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.