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Manager Communications (Issues Management)

  • Job ID: 60748
  • Job Category: Communications & Marketing
  • Division & Section: Strategic Public & Employee Communications, Media Relations & Issues Management
  • Work Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto 
  • Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
  • Salary: $123,833 - $170,194, TM1560, Wage Grade 8 (Hiring Zone $123,833 - $135,000)
  • Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week  
  • Affiliation: Non-Union
  • Number of Positions Open: 1
  • Posting Period: 24-Oct-2025 to 07-Nov-2025
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Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make Toronto Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. A workplace where growth is fostered and diversity is celebrated, a team of approximately 42,000 employees is the driving force behind the City’s ability to deliver programs and services to residents, businesses and visitors.

 

The Communications Division plays a vital role in connecting the City of Toronto with residents, staff, and key stakeholders by delivering clear, impactful messaging about City programs, services, and priorities. Operating with an agency-like model, the division develops and executes integrated marketing and communications campaigns that drive measurable results. Through a centralized, centres-of-excellence approach, the Communications division team fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation, empowering staff to tell proactive, compelling stories that place the City and its divisions at the heart of public engagement. All communications efforts are strategically aligned with the City's broader organizational goals, ensuring consistency, relevance, and meaningful impact across all channels.


About the Role

Reporting to the Director, Media Relations and Issues Management, the Manager Communications (Issues Management) role plays a critical part in shaping how the City anticipates, responds to, and communicates about sensitive, high-profile, cross-divisional and intergovernmental matters. You’ll provide senior-level strategic advice and operational support to the City Manager, Deputy City Managers, division heads, and senior leadership teams, working closely with the Chief Communications Officer, the SPEC Management Team, and the Mayor’s Office.

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a team focused on proactive issues management, developing strategies and action plans that reflect the City’s values and priorities while helping protect its reputation and foster public trust. You’ll be responsible for setting the direction for this new unit in the Media Relations & Issues Management Centre of Excellence, guiding coordinated responses to complex and politically sensitive issues, and ensuring communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with broader organizational goals.

 

Your team will be responsible for:

  • Managing cross-divisional and large-scale reputational risks to enhance and protect the City’s public image

  • Overseeing the Division’s Agenda Forecasting System to anticipate and plan for Council and Committee items with corresponding communications strategies

  • Preparing Communications senior leadership for Council and Committee meetings through detailed briefings on emerging issues and ongoing campaigns

  • Providing insight and analysis on politically sensitive items to inform communications strategies and leadership briefings

  • Ensuring timely and strategic decision-making through accurate tracking, documentation, and reporting on issues, reports, and policy matters

  • Championing continuous improvement of the forecasting process by leveraging data, trends, and feedback

  • Developing a proactive strategy that includes social listening, crisis response planning, and collaboration with the Manager, Social Media to engage with the public and address concerns in real time

 

 

What you bring to the role:

  • Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Extensive experience providing strategic communications advice and operational support to senior leaders in a complex, high-profile organization, with a strong background in issues management, media relations, and strategic communications.

  • Extensive experience monitoring, identifying, and assessing sensitive, emerging, and high-profile issues, and to develop timely and effective communications strategies that protect organizational reputation and support balanced media coverage.

  • Extensive experience developing and implementing issues management strategies and action plans that align with organizational priorities and values, including coordinated responses to cross-divisional and intergovernmental matters.

  • Strong understanding of municipal governance, Council procedures, and decision-making processes, with awareness of the political, social, and economic factors influencing all levels of government.

  • Experience serving as a media spokesperson and/or building relationships with journalists is considered an asset.

  • Proven ability to leverage data, trends, and feedback to improve forecasting processes and strengthen organizational preparedness, including the development of crisis communication plans and integration of social listening tools.

  • Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work across divisions and in partnership with teams such as Social Media and Media Relations to ensure consistent and responsive public engagement.

  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

  • Demonstrated leadership in managing high-performing teams, championing strategic best practices, and fostering innovation within a collaborative, inclusive, and results-driven work environment.

  • Considerable experience in budget planning and administration, including resource allocation to support strategic priorities.

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies, including MFIPPA, Occupational Health and Safety, Ontario Human Rights Code, and AODA.

 

Why You Will Love Working at The City:

  • We are committed to building a high-performing public service with strong and effective leaders to enable service excellence, through high engagement and healthy and safe workplace.
  • We recognize the need for flexibility and offer a hybrid working environment that will provide you with an appropriate work-life balance required to thrive in today’s fast paced world.
  • A strong benefits package which includes competitive salaries, vacation and other unique offerings.
  • We offer an excellent defined benefit pension plan bringing added value to our overall compensation package through OMERS.
  • We support ongoing learning and development and offer educational opportunities with tuition subsidies.
  • Opportunities to join and take an active role with City’s Communities of Inclusions comprised of employees who share a common identity, lived experience and/or set of interest and support each other’s professional development, sense of belonging and promote a culture of inclusion.


Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.

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