Project Manager, External Engagement

Job Details
Permanent Full Time (Non-Union)

Posting Status
Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date
Applications for this position must be received at oakville.ca by no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 8, 2026.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy and therefore will be filled accordingly.

We offer:

• A hybrid work schedule
• A defined benefit pension plan (OMERS)
• Comprehensive health plan complemented with life and disability insurance

• A progressive work environment that promotes a work/life balance and strives to be a great place for great people to do great things

Reporting to the Director, the Project Manager, External Engagement leads the planning and delivery of communications, engagement, and impact mitigation programs for complex municipal capital projects. Working within multidisciplinary teams, the role manages engagement strategies, communications activities, schedules, budgets, risks, consultants, and resources throughout project planning, design, and construction.

The position serves as a key liaison between the Town, businesses, residents, community organizations, Council, and other interested parties, providing strategic advice, addressing project impacts and concerns, and supporting effective project delivery. The technical Project Manager remains accountable for engineering design, construction delivery, contract administration, and overall project scope.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Communications and External Parties Project Management

Develop, implement, monitor and maintain the communications, interested parties' engagement and mitigation work plan for assigned capital projects, including objectives, deliverables, schedules, resources, dependencies, budgets, risks and performance measures.

Integrate communications and interested parties' activities with the broader capital project schedule and coordinate with the technical Project Manager to ensure engagement and communications requirements support project milestones and construction activities.

Monitor progress against approved plans and modify communications and engagement activities in response to changing project conditions, interested parties needs and emerging issues.

Interested parties Engagement and Liaison

Lead engagement with businesses, BIAs, residents, resident associations, community organizations and other interested parties affected by assigned projects.

Establish and maintain effective two-way communication between interested parties, the project team, Town departments, senior management and members of Council.

Establish and facilitate project liaison committees, interested parties working groups, public meetings, business meetings and other engagement forums as required.

Act as a primary point of contact for interested parties matters associated with assigned projects and ensure concerns, commitments and required follow-up are appropriately documented and coordinated.

Build and maintain effective relationships with interested parties throughout the project lifecycle, particularly during periods of significant construction disruption or change.

Communications Strategy and Implementation

Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies for assigned projects, including key messages, communications schedules, interested parties -specific communications and public information programs.

Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of project communications including public notices, interested parties' updates, presentations, briefing materials, web content, social media content, newsletters, correspondence and other communications products.

Coordinate communications with Corporate Communications and other Town departments to ensure consistency, accuracy and appropriate timing.

Provide advice to the project team and senior management regarding communications approaches for complex, sensitive or high-profile project matters.

Support public and media communications related to assigned projects in accordance with Town policies and established communications protocols.

Issues, Risk and Mitigation Management

Identify and assess interested parties, communications, business-disruption and reputational risks associated with assigned projects.

Develop and implement mitigation strategies in consultation with the technical Project Manager, construction staff, consultants, contractors and other Town departments.

Coordinate responses to interested parties issues arising during planning, design and construction and ensure matters are directed to the appropriate technical or operational resource for resolution.

Track significant interested parties issues, commitments and risks and provide regular reporting and recommendations to the project team and management.

Escalate matters requiring engineering, contractual, financial, schedule or other project-level decisions to the technical Project Manager or appropriate decision-maker.

Resource, Consultant and Budget Management

Manage consultants retained to support communications, engagement, marketing, facilitation or mitigation activities, including development of scopes of work, monitoring deliverables and schedules, invoice review and performance management.

Develop, monitor and report on budgets associated with communications, interested parties engagement and mitigation activities.

Coordinate and provide functional direction to Town staff, consultants and other resources assigned to the communications and engagement workstream.

Identify resource requirements and coordinate required support with the Manager, technical Project Manager and other departments.

Reporting, Governance and Strategic Advice

Prepare project status reports, briefing notes, presentations and other materials for management, senior leadership and Council related to interested parties engagement, communications, mitigation activities, risks and emerging issues.

Participate in project team, steering committee and other governance meetings and provide subject-matter advice regarding interested parties and communications considerations.

Represent the Town and assigned projects at interested parties and public meetings and other forums as required.

Maintain appropriate project documentation and records associated with communications, engagement, commitments, issues and decisions.

How do I qualify?

Completion of a degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, Marketing, Urban Planning, Public Administration or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in project management, communications, external engagement, public consultation, issues management or a related field, preferably involving complex or high-profile construction projects.

Demonstrated experience managing a defined program of work, including work planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk and issue management, consultant management, reporting and coordination of multidisciplinary resources.

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications, interested parties' engagement and mitigation strategies.

Demonstrated experience engaging businesses, residents, community organizations, senior management and other diverse interested parties.

Highly developed written and oral communication, facilitation, presentation, negotiation, interpersonal and relationship-management skills.

Strong analytical, organizational, issues-management and problem-solving abilities.

Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make recommendations in complex, contentious or politically sensitive situations.

Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and respond effectively to emerging project issues.

Knowledge and understanding of project management methodologies and practices.

Understanding of media relations and digital communications strategies.

Municipal government and/or experience supporting major infrastructure or construction projects would be considered an asset.

Project management training or a recognized project management designation would be considered an asset.

Ability to attend evening meetings and work outside regular business hours when required.

Core Knowledge Required for Success

Strategic Thinking – thinking things through

Engagement – working effectively with people, organizations and partners

Management excellence – delivering results through own work, relationships and responsibilities

Accountability and Respect – serving with integrity and respect

Corporate Values:
Teamwork, accountability, dedication, honesty, innovation and respect

DATED: October 26, 2026.

The Town’s recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short-listing of qualified candidates.

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. Applicants may also be required to undergo testing.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.