Senior Strategic Communications Advisor

Corporate Services Division / Communications Branch

Toronto

1 Permanent, 1 Temporary - up to 10 months with the possibility of extension

Help shape and communicate some of Ontario's most significant programs and initiatives

As a Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, you'll lead high-profile communications strategies and projects that support government priorities, tackle complex issues, and provide strategic advice to senior decision-makers. In this fast-paced and rewarding role, you'll have the unique opportunity to see your work reflected in the day's news while making an impact across the province.

Meet the team

You'll be joining an experienced and talented team that consistently delivers high-quality work while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Team members share knowledge, support one another, and are always willing to step in when it matters most. You'll be led by a people-focused manager who values trust, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth, and is committed to helping team members build confidence and develop their strengths.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning, development and implementation of a broad range of strategic communications projects and initiatives, and the development and maintenance of client relationships in support of government and ministry programs, services, goals and priorities
• Identify, analyze and provide advice on communications requirements and issues related to ministry policies, programs, legislation, regulations and services
• Lead branch teams to develop and implement communications strategies for cross-divisional and cross-government initiatives
• Use creative and outside-the-box thinking to ensure that the ministry is effectively reaching its audience

You can:

• provide expertise and leadership in the development and execution of integrated communications strategies and implementation plans for high-profile program initiatives
• lead the development and recommendation of proactive strategies and programs to anticipate high-profile opportunities or contentious issues and enable prompt response
• develop long-term project plans that address client requirements, stakeholder interests, environmental factors, and other considerations
• manage all phases of ministry communications projects

You can:

• Lead branch and cross-divisional teams to develop and deliver external communications strategies
• Provide technical direction and guidance to both staff and external communication service providers
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders on communications projects/initiatives
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and monitor performance

• You have knowledge of policy development and legislative and political decision-making processes to manage ministry issues by providing accurate and timely responses
• You can provide strategic communication advice and expertise to all levels of the ministry on communications requirements for ministry programs and goals
• You can analyze and assess public opinion, media perceptions and stakeholder positions

• identify, research and analyze emerging, contentious issues, potential problems and opportunities that require communications expertise
• formulate innovative strategies and communications plans, mitigate adverse impact and develop and propose the optimum response or course of action, incorporating best practices
• lead or conduct impact evaluations to ensure that strategic communications positioning is consistent with government and ministry priorities
• assess communications requirements in light of ministry priorities and develop over-arching, seamless communications strategies and products that support objectives, positioning and priorities

• You have stakeholder/relationship management skills and political acuity to build and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, management, staff, and other stakeholders
• You have consultation and advisory skills to provide strategic advice and tactical guidance to ministry colleagues, senior management, and executive offices
• You can advise branch communications staff on the planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic and internal communications plans, programs and initiatives
• You have consensus-building, mediation and collaboration skills to chair/facilitate difficult discussions and…