Communications Consultant

Help connect the City of Kelowna’s priorities with the people they matter to. As a Communications Consultant, you will bring senior-level expertise to a team focused on customer service, community and business engagement. You will turn complex issues into clear, purposeful communications that connect organizational goals with audience needs.

Your primary focus will be internal and external strategic communications. You will provide trusted advice, develop well-researched communications plans and create the materials that bring them to life. Drawing on political acumen and sound judgment, you will anticipate issues, recommend approaches and take ownership of your work from planning through delivery and evaluation. You will assess effectiveness, apply what you learn and continuously improve your programs. This is a strategic, hands-on role: alongside advising senior leaders, you will write and edit content and coordinate activities such as awareness campaigns, crisis plans, marketing campaigns, and events.

The Communications Consultant provides internal and external strategic communications primarily for the City Manager and Mayor and Council. The position also develops and delivers communications and marketing strategies to maximize effectiveness of corporate priority plans and departmental initiatives.

1. Strategic communications

• Communications lead to develop and implement strategic communications plans that support City Manager and City Council as well as the corporate priority plans.
• Develop solutions and processes for complex and varied corporate initiatives – how we do things is just important as what we do. Create implement evaluate and continually adapt both a corporate external and internal communications strategy that guides the work of the corporate communications department.
• Conducts and analyses key research to ensure strong understanding of citizens key stakeholders community issues/trends and communications preferences. Coordinates the work of relief staff and external consultants.
• Communications lead for key corporate service departments including Human Resources (including labour relations) and financial services.

2. Media relations and issues management – media is the number one-way citizens learn about the City

• Proactively develops communications solutions for senior managers before projects go public to ensure process will enhance or mitigate corporate reputation.
• Anticipates media interest and proactively prepares Mayor and Council and City Manager to enhance or mitigate negative impact to the organization.
• Develops media relations strategies for complex and varied business challenges – preference is to be proactive must be able to quickly develop and implement reactive media strategies for emergent issues.
• Communications lead for Regional Emergency Operations Center to ensure channels and processes are operational for large scale emergencies throughout the Central Okanagan.

3. Corporate communication channels and reputation management

• Develops communications strategies to shape and influence city’s reputation to ensure ongoing public and staff support for city initiatives.
• Responsible for developing and implementing key corporate communications platforms – platforms which are key to delivering city services and information are continually changing in today’s 24/7 virtual world.

4. Communications Standards

• Develops corporate communications policies frameworks and guidelines that guide the actions of all city staff.
• Negotiates branding programs with third party partners to ensure citizens recognize city-owned properties and value for money.
• Responsible for RFP’s and contracts that govern communications.

5. Manage Budget

• Varies annually between $50000 and $100000
• Builds and manages individual project communications budgets: build case secure funding and manage funds appropriately.

University degree in communications/public relations or related field. Must have a deep and broad understanding of communications theory strategic communications stakeholder analysis media relations theory and agenda setting public consultation and research. The Communications Consultant must be able to assess various data and input to develop effective solutions.

The candidate must have a minimum of five years’ experience in communications with substantial, progressively responsible experience in corporate communications and have demonstrated strengths in strategic communications. Specific skills include critical thinking to ensure effective recommendations to address a broad array of communications and business challenges. Other core skills include effective written and oral communications and ability to conduct valid research projects. Exceptional writing, political acumen, relationship-building and project management skills are essential, along with experience supporting change. The individual must be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment where all challenges must be approached differently, and no two solutions are the same; remaining within best practices guidelines. A high degree of interpersonal skills that include coaching and consulting are a must. This person must be able to manage multiple projects including resources (staff consultants, contractors) with competing priorities and tight deadlines. Must work collaboratively with City Manager, Mayor, third party partners and city employees to build productive relationships. Experience in government and/or advising senior leaders is an asset.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $89,600 to $104,500, depending on qualifications and experience. Most candidates can expect to start in the lower to mid-range of this scale, with opportunities for salary growth based on performance and tenure. We offer progressive employment practices and a great work environment. This is an exempt position that offers a competitive salary, employer-paid comprehensive benefits package, an earned day off program, paid vacation and one of Canada’s top pension plans.

The City of Kelowna is committed to being an organization that values and reflects its community’s diverse population, and to fostering an equitable, inclusive and progressive work environment where everyone can be their authentic self and feels a sense of belonging.

8am to 4pm