Communications Advisor Regional Municipality

Overview

The Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD) in Halifax provides a broad portfolio of programs and services, including Child and Family Wellbeing, Employment Support Services, Income Assistance, Supportive Housing and Homelessness, and the Disability Support Program.

We are seeking an experienced Communications Advisor who will deliver clear, impactful messages to diverse audiences, promote public understanding of initiatives, programs and services, and ensure strategic communications for the department.

• Brief and advise senior staff and elected officials
• Support sessions of the Legislative Assembly and appearances at legislative committees
• Media relations
• Issues management
• Develop and implement communications strategies
• Write news releases, speeches and other materials
• Develop content for social media, public announcements, marketing and web
• Plan events
• Work with partners on stakeholder communications
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required

The successful candidate should have a post‑secondary degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related field and several years of professional communications experience.

• Strong writing skills, including plain language and speech writing
• Experience with media relations
• Strong collaborative work ethic
• Significant experience developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies that leverage traditional and emerging digital strategies
• Experience in communications strategies and tactics for inclusion and accessibility
• Experience with social media and digital platforms/technologies, and ability to engage large audiences with minimal resources
• Experience advising clients and working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including understanding Nova Scotia’s unique social, historical and demographic makeup
• Experience and comfort briefing and advising senior staff and elected officials
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, collaborative workplace under tight deadlines

Applicants may demonstrate equivalencies in education and experience.

Professional writing experience, digital content creation, media relations experience, interpreting complex information for a public audience, preparing and delivering briefings to senior‑level officials, and experience with traditional and emerging digital‑first communications strategies and data‑driven storytelling.

• Solid understanding of the public‑sector environment
• Leadership experience
• Understanding of Nova Scotia’s unique social, historical and demographic make‑up
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and understanding associated social and systemic complexities
• Experience in/knowledge of data analytics, human‑centred approaches and artificial intelligence
• French language skills

Government of Nova Scotia employees receive a wide range of benefits including a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness and disability coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Programs, and vacation benefits.

• Normal work week of 35 hours per week (7 hours per day)
• May be required to work outside business hours from time to time
• High concentration of demands and priorities
  
  Pressures to meet deadlines with attention to accuracy
• Majority of time spent in comfortable office setting with frequent opportunity to move

Our goal is to build a diverse workforce that represents the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia welcomes applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in under‑represented occupations or positions.

We provide accessibility in the recruitment process. Candidates requesting accommodations can contact