Hybrid Senior Communications Advisor – Media Relations

at City of Toronto

• Job title: Senior Communications Advisor – Media Relations
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: CA$103,431 - CA$141,247 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Toronto, Canada

About the role

• Senior Communications Advisor managing media relations for the City. Role involves strategic communications, media inquiries, and crisis management.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and execute press conferences, technical briefings and on-site media opportunities.
• Develop clear, compelling media materials that translate complex or technical information into accessible narratives.
• Seek out proactive storytelling opportunities and pitch to local and national media outlets.
• Respond to high volumes of media inquiries — including contributing to the 15,000+ media interactions received annually through [email protected].
• Provide on-camera, on-the-record and live interview support as a spokesperson, when required.
• Prepare City spokespeople for interviews, public appearances and media conferences.
• Contribute to and deliver media training for staff and leaders across the organization.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior management, divisional partners and stakeholders across the City.
• Lead integrated communications approaches that align with organizational priorities and apply best practices in measurement and engagement.
• Mentor and guide communications staff, promoting high standards and consistent application of communications principles.
• Ensure communications practices respect equity, diversity and inclusion, and effectively reach multilingual and diverse audiences.
• Monitor emerging issues, Council and Committee agendas, policies, and media coverage to assess potential impacts on the City.
• Provide real-time strategic advice to senior leaders during incidents, emergencies and reputational risks.
• Lead the development of issues management and crisis communications strategies.
• Support after-hours and weekend issues response as part of a rotating standby schedule.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function, such as journalism, communications, marketing or combined equivalent of education and experience.
• Extensive experience in corporate communications, public affairs or marketing within a complex public or private sector organization.
• Extensive experience in proactive and reactive media relations, issues management and crisis communications, including advising senior officials.
• Extensive experience using data and insights to guide decision-making, monitor trends and evaluate communications effectiveness.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience guiding teams and influencing decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships with colleagues, partners and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including superior writing and editing expertise.
• Knowledge of outreach strategies for diverse and multilingual audiences, applying an inclusive and culturally responsive communications lens.
• Demonstrated passion for public service and for telling compelling, people-centered stories about the City.
• A strong narrative and storytelling instinct, with the ability to make complex information meaningful and engaging.
• Training in Incident Management System (IMS) or emergency management best practices is an asset.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson is an asset.