Manager, Media and Public Relations
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Toronto, ON
- Impact Area
- Other
- Impact Category
- Social Good
- Company Type
- Other
About this position
The Strategic Communications Unit at Toronto Community Housing is looking for an experienced and dedicated communications professional to lead its Media and Public Relations team.
Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications, the Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management leads the team responsible for strategic communications initiatives to enhance Toronto Community Housing's reputation and brand, and advance its strategic priorities with external audiences. The Manager provides counsel to senior management on proactive and reactive management of high-profile and sensitive issues, and serves as a media spokesperson.
This position is a year-long assignment covering a maternity leave starting in mid-May, 2015.
- Leads media relations program
- o Manages all aspects of day-to-day media services for Toronto Community Housing and its subsidiaries, including daily media clippinngs and quarterly media monitoring reports
o Manages the media relations function for Toronto Community Housing and its subsidiaries, including by ensuring that incoming media inquiries are responded to promptly with accurate information that is consistent with corporate priorities, often on short timelines and outside of normal working hours
o Advises the President/CEO, Board Chair, executives and senior managers on strategies for responding to media inquiries
o Develops key messages for and prepares the President/CEO, Board Chair, and senior leaders for media interviews and news conferences
o Develops and implements a comprehensive media relations program to support the communications objectives and strategic positioning of Toronto Community Housing, in consultation with the Director, Strategic Communications
o Leads a team that identifies and leverages public relations opportunities that will support and reinforce positive perceptions of Toronto Community Housing and build confidence and trust in our ability to deliver our mission
o Develops and maintains strong, positive and effective working relationships with the media
o Acts as a corporate spokesperson with print, radio, TV and online media, including on sensitive and high-risk issues
o Manages news conferences and media availabilities
o When required, provides support to Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Relations on stakeholder and government relations issues
o Links key messages, media strategies and plans to business goals and priorities
o Manages contentious issues in the media and public environments
o Establishes a system for anticipating and managing issues that may have a negative impact on, or pose a threat to, Toronto Community Housing's reputation
o Provides advice to President/CEO, Board Chair, executives and senior managers senior management, the President and CEO, and the Board Chair on the management of and response to issues, in consultation with the Director, Strategic Communications
o Provides influential guidance to senior management on proactive and reactive management of contentious issues, including on matters that involve significant risk for the corporation and involve information that is sensitive and highly confidential
o Provides advice to and manages complex relationships with senior management, including the President and CEO, the Board Chair, members of the Executive Leadership Team, and other senior leaders
Manages Community-Level Communications
o Oversees and coordinates support for community-level communications with residents, community/ethnic media, surrounding neighbourhoods, and community partners
o Develops and leads the development of communications strategies and products to reach residents and local communities with information about programs, services and partnerships
o Provide communications support to projects that promote resident well-being and engagement
o Develops and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and with residents
Manages Digital Communications and Social Media
o Develops and leads the execution of the digital communications and social media strategies for the corporation
o Ensures social media messages reinforce the corporation's key messages and strategic goals, including excellence in customer service
o Leads the development of digital communications products that support the company's strategic priorities, including the electronic newsletter, posts on Twitter and Facebook, photos on Instagram, and videos on YouTube
Manages the Media and Public Relations Unit
o Provides leadership to and manages the media and public relations team
o Provides input into the annual Strategic Communications budget and workplan
o Develops measurement tools to assess effectiveness of initiatives and overall strategy
o Establishes and implements practices for the media and public relations team
o Manages human resources for media and public relations team, including hiring, managing performance, supporting staff, and handling discipline
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
1. Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Humanities, Journalism, Communications or related field, or equivalent experience
2. 8 + years' experience in media relations, public relations or related fields, including 5 years in the public sector
You Must Also Have:
3. Considerable experience researching, writing and implementing policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.
4. Strong media relations, issues management and public relations experience in a complex environment
5. Experience identifying and analyzing emerging issues and developing strategic responses in tight timeframes
6. Demonstrated ability to analyze information, anticipate problems and/opportunities, create and evaluate alternative solutions and make appropriate decisions and/or recommendations
7. Demonstrated ability to network and build effective working relationships with senior management, media and peers
8. Experience writing media releases, speeches and articles
9. Excellent communication skills
10. Demonstrated ability to deliver expected outcomes
11. Experience working in or with the public sector
12. A commitment to providing respectful service to all clients
13. Experience with digital and social media
14. Experience with community-level communications
15. Experience with diverse audiences
Application instructions
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