Manager Election Services (Communications & Outreach)

• Job ID: 54702
• Job Category: Governmental Affairs
• Division & Section: City Clerk's Office, Toronto Elections
• Work Location: 89 Northline Road, Toronto, ON, M4B 3E5
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time Temporary (18 months) vacancy
• Salary: $122,305.00 - $163,639.00, TM2408, Wage Grade 8.0 (2024 rates)
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 20-Mar-2025 to 07-Apr-2025
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Reporting to the Toronto Elections Operations Director, The Manager of Communications & Outreach is part of a team that manages all aspects of municipal elections and by-elections on behalf of the City Clerk, City Council, four (4) School Boards and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.  As a member of the Elections Management Team, this position is responsible for managing a team of Project Managers leading public engagement and education programs, community outreach, marketing, communication, and partnerships.

Major Responsibilities:

The Manager of Communications & Outreach ensures a state of continuous election readiness and provides leadership in all aspects of election project planning and delivery, including, but not limited to:

• Develops, manages, and implements detailed project plans and operating budgets, and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements to the Senior Elections Management Team.
• Provides strategic advice and support to the Director of Operations and Deputy City Clerk on the effective delivery of elections, including referenda, recounts and contract elections, that align with the Clerk's statutory obligations.
• Manages the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work.  Authorizes and coordinates vacation and overtime requests.
• Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments, hears grievances, and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Manages, motivates, and trains staff by providing direction and guidance, processes and tools to increase efficiencies and improve effectiveness of the services.  Ensures effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and staff performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Manages the development and implementation of outreach, public engagement and education programs to raise awareness of the City’s democratic processes among Toronto’s diverse communities, and to ensure eligible electors and candidates understand their rights and responsibilities to participate in the City's municipal and school board elections.
• Manages communication strategies, plans, materials, and products that support election projects and initiatives to engage diverse internal and external audiences.
• Provides leadership and establishes effective partnerships with community leaders, clients and internal and external stakeholders, to address and resolve various issues during project delivery while balancing corporate interests.
• Represents the City Clerk in meetings with a wide and diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, City Divisions, community groups, senior staff, elected officials and other levels of government.
• Develops and implements the customer service standards and effective operational plans to ensure the delivery of quality service to efficiently and effectively meet customer service needs and requirements.
• Ensures assigned staff and services are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other relevant legislation and associated regulations.
• Promotes continuous improvement through the review of current processes and operations; researching industry practices; development and implementation of new programs, services, and policies to address emerging needs and legislated initiatives and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Toronto Elections operation.
• Exercises sound judgement, integrity, and fairness in dealing with sensitive and controversial matters.
• Recommends and implements innovative programs that position the City as a leader in election management, such as Election Day and emergency response strategies, student worker initiatives, and user-friendly materials and supplies.
• Prepares reports to Committee and Council, makes presentations and answers questions at standing committees and Council.
• Works evenings, statutory holidays and weekends as required.

Key Qualifications:

1. Extensive experience developing, managing and implementing large scale complex outreach and public engagement campaigns, including communication strategies and plans.
2. Proven strategic partnership development and leadership skills, including the ability to influence and build collaborative relationships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders both internal and external to the organization. 
3. Extensive experience managing, motivating, leading and developing staff.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels as well as with external stakeholders and the media.
5. Strong commitment to customer service excellence and excellent strategic planning, analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills to resolve issues.
6. Possesses knowledge of the issues and barriers diverse communities across Toronto face, including youth, persons with disabilities, ethno-cultural communities, 2SLGBTQ+communities, people experiencing homelessness, and other equity-deserving groups.
7. Strong commitment to the organizational values of diversity and inclusion and can cultivate an innovative workforce of high-performing professionals in a positive service delivery culture, and handle labour relations in a unionized environment.
8. Political acumen and the ability to negotiate and achieve consensus among parties having different objectives.
9. Sound executive judgement and ability to handle matters of confidential and/or sensitive nature.
10. Ability to manage competing interests, priorities and demands in a rapidly evolving high-volume, high-stress and politically sensitive environment.
11. Ability to adhere to the Toronto Public Service mission and values and act professionally and ethically.
12. Thorough understanding of the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and a strong knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act including knowledge of management responsibilities for health and safety compliance under the legislation.
13. Post-secondary education in a relevant discipline related to the job function (e.g. Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Project Management) would be considered an asset.

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.