Senior Communications Advisor

Job Number: 4102
Job Type:Full-Time
Vacancy Reason: Temporary
Temp Contract Length:24 Months
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Communications
Number of Positions:1
Department: Communications and Media Relations
Division: Resident Experience, Strategy and Communications
Hours of Work: 35
Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 05
Salary Range: $85,430.80 - $
Posting Date: Monday, February 23, 2026

About Us!The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our  Strategic Plan , “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share.

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

Leads internal and external communications for a range of projects by developing strategies with measurable goals and clearly defined outcomes. Provides strategic communications advice to leadership teams across the organization on complex issues, often in time-sensitive environments. Builds and maintains strong relationships with media, responds to media inquiries, and identifies opportunities to highlight the impact of Regional services on the lives of residents.

Delivers impactful stories across a wide range of platforms and collaborates with Communications leads across the organization to support effective responses during crisis situations.

• Provides strategic guidance and leadership to departments and communications teams on the design, management, and roll-out of communications projects, public engagement and awareness campaigns.
• Identifies communications needs, provides advice, and ensures appropriate staff are involved and engaged.
• Develops strong working relationships with internal departments to advise and deliver strategic communications that support departmental goals and objectives.
• Regularly provides issues management support and advice to senior management on issues impacting the reputation of the department.
• Develops best practice communications strategies, develops associated content, executes plans collaboratively and evaluates their success.
• Regularly attends Regional Council meetings and prepares communications related to Regional Council decisions to residents.
• Displays tact and diplomacy when interacting with senior leaders, members of Council and dignitaries.
• Leads the planning of events, news conferences and services launches, often working with other departments and external organizations.
• Creates/works with materials containing sensitive labour relations information (e.g., contingency plans).
• In the event of a Regional Emergency, participates in the Core Crisis Communications Team, attending emergency group meetings, writing news releases, coordinating news conferences, and returning media calls.
• Provide backup duties for the Manager, Corporate Communications when required.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge and skill normally acquired through a university degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field with significant professional experience in communications and issues management.
• Ability to prioritize and manage several competing, complex and evolving tasks and projects at the same time.
• Competencies required in all aspects of strategic communications including planning and management, issues management, content writing, media relations, speech writing, community engagement, event co-ordination and…