COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR

The Strategy & Relationships Centre of Excellence, within the Communications Division, supports all City divisions and is responsible for providing strategic, expert communications leadership to City staff, including leading proactive and innovative strategy development and planning, project management, anticipating and coordinating strategic communications needs against corporate objectives and priorities, developing collaborative relationships, and monitoring and measuring results. 

Position Overview: 

The Communications Advisor will work within the Strategy & Relationships Centre of Excellence in the Communications Division, supporting strategic communications planning and execution for assigned service areas. Two roles are being hired: one focused on Infrastructure Services and one focused on Community and Emergency Services. Both positions work closely with divisional partners to provide expert communications leadership, issues management support, and high‑quality public‑facing content. 

As a primary communications contact for assigned divisions, the Advisor provides strategic counsel, develops integrated communications strategies and workplans, and leads project management for key initiatives. The role also supports content development for public education (web, social, digital), along with media relations and issues management. 

Strategy & Relationships Lead — Community and Emergency Services (EDC Focus) 

This role will primarily support the Community and Emergency Services service area, with a focus on Economic Development and Culture (EDC). EDC works to make Toronto a place where business and culture thrive, advancing the city’s prosperity, opportunity and liveability. 

Experience supporting arts, culture, museums, film and entertainment, business growth or related sectors is a strong asset. 

Strategy & Relationships Lead — Infrastructure Services (ECS Focus) 

This role will primarily support the Infrastructure Services service area, with a focus on Engineering and Construction Services (ECS). ECS delivers more than $1 billion annually in the City’s capital program, managing complex, high‑profile and technically detailed projects. 

Experience supporting infrastructure, engineering, construction or capital projects is a strong asset. 

Major Responsibilities: 

• Acts as the primary communications advisor and strategic partner to assigned City divisions. 

• Provides expert communications advice and counsel on complex, high‑profile and politically sensitive initiatives. 

• Leads the development of annual communications workplans and project‑specific strategies aligned with divisional and corporate priorities. 

• Serves as project manager for communications initiatives, coordinating planning, execution, measurement and reporting in collaboration with other Centres of Excellence. 

• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with divisional leadership, subject‑matter experts and internal partners. 

• Supports proactive and reactive communications planning related to major capital projects and public‑facing infrastructure work. 

• Develops and edits content for public education materials, including website content, social media posts, digital products and other communications tools. 

• Ensures communications activities align with corporate standards, accessibility requirements and City policies. 

• Monitors issues, risks and emerging trends and provides timely advice to support informed decision‑making. 

Key Qualifications: 

1. Post‑secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
2. Demonstrated experience providing strategic communications advice in a complex, public‑sector or large‑organization environment. 
3. Experience supporting infrastructure, engineering, construction or capital projects is a strong asset.
4. Experience supporting arts, museums, culture, business growth and film and entertainment projects is a strong asset.
5. Proven ability to manage multiple communications projects simultaneously, including planning, execution and evaluation. 
6. Strong relationship‑management skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical subject‑matter experts and senior stakeholders.
7. Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience producing clear, accessible content for public education, web and social media channels.
8. Sound judgment and discretion when working on sensitive or high‑profile issues.
9. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.