Manager Communications (Media Relations)

• Job ID: 60751
• 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-$170,184, 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 (Media Relations) provides senior-level strategic advice, counsel, and operational support to the City Manager, Deputy City Managers, division heads, and senior management teams. This work is carried out in close coordination with the Chief Communications Officer, the Communications Management Team, and the Mayor’s Office, as required.

This role serves as a primary media spokesperson for the City, requiring confidence and experience in live and recorded television, online, and radio interviews. The Manager engages directly with journalists and the public on current issues, bringing a strong understanding of the Toronto media landscape and either established relationships or a demonstrated ability to build them.

Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, the Manager, Media Relations leads a team responsible for evaluating and responding to rapidly evolving situations—including major events, incidents, and emergencies—often in real time. The team organizes press conferences and technical briefings, proactively pitches stories to media outlets, coordinates onsite media relations activities, and manages over 15,000 annual media inquiries received through a centralized email channel. The team also prepares City spokespeople for interviews and public appearances, and oversees the delivery of an effective media training program to ensure consistent, confident, and informed public communication.

This role requires an experienced and empathetic leader who can “think like a journalist”—anticipating, monitoring, and mitigating issues while proactively engaging with media to build and maintain strong relationships.

As a subject matter expert, the Manager ensures media relations activities reflect Toronto’s diversity and contribute to balanced, informed coverage. The role involves creating clear, compelling communications materials that translate complex concepts into accessible narratives.

Success in this role depends on the ability to thrive in a demanding and ever-changing environment, manage competing priorities, and lead a diverse team with a commitment to high standards, effective teamwork, and continuous learning and innovation.

Ideal candidates will bring senior-level experience in a large organization, with a strong background in issues management, media relations, and strategic communications.

What you bring to the role:

• Post-secondary education in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience providing strategic media relations advice and operational support to senior leaders in a complex, high-profile organization.
• Proven success serving as a primary media spokesperson, with demonstrated comfort and experience in live and recorded television, radio, and online interviews, as well as speaking on the record with journalists.
• Extensive experience leading media relations teams, including organizing press conferences and technical briefings, proactive media pitching, and onsite media coordination.
• Considerable experience in evaluating and responding to rapidly evolving situations, including major events, incidents, or emergencies, with sound judgment and political acuity.
• Strong understanding of the Toronto media landscape, with established relationships with journalists or a demonstrated ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial media partnerships.
• Proven ability to manage high volumes of media inquiries and interactions, including oversight of centralized media response channels.
• Considerable experience preparing senior leaders and spokespeople for media interviews and public appearances, including the development and delivery of effective media training programs.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively across divisions and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization, while maintaining alignment with corporate communications goals and governance frameworks.
• Considerable experience in budget planning and administration, including resource allocation to support strategic priorities.
• Deep understanding of the City of Toronto’s public service, City Council, and municipal government operations, with a commitment to equity, diversity, reconciliation, and respectful workplaces.
• 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.