SENIOR COMM ADVISOR STRATEGIC COMM

Job ID: 62087
Job Category: Communications & Marketing
Division & Section: Strategic Public & Employee Communications, Marketing, Comms & Digital Strategy
Work Location: CCity Hall, Toronto
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 1 Permanent & 1 Temporary (12 month) vacancies
Salary Range: $103,431.00 - 141,247.00

Hiring Zone: $114,535.00 -$124,181.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 2
Posting Period: 25-MAR-2026 to 10-APR-2026

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Public Education, Marketing & Creative, the Senior Communications Advisor - Creative Strategy & Campaign Development leads the strategic planning and development of integrated communications and marketing campaigns that support City priorities, programs and initiatives.

The role focuses on translating complex programs and policies into clear, compelling campaign strategies by identifying target audiences, developing messaging frameworks, shaping campaign concepts and guiding the creative direction and storytelling approach of communications initiatives. Working collaboratively with Strategy & Relationships, Creative Services, media planning, agency partners, and digital and social teams, the position ensures campaign strategy, creative execution and communications tactics are aligned to achieve meaningful public engagement and measurable outcomes.

The position plays a key role in elevating campaign quality across the division by applying audience insight, strategic communication thinking and creative campaign leadership to the development of major City initiatives and public-facing campaigns.

Major Responsibilities:

Campaign Strategy & Development

Leads the development of campaign concepts, creative briefs and storytelling frameworks that guide the visual and narrative direction of major City communications and marketing campaigns.
Leads the strategic planning and delivery of integrated, multi-channel communications and marketing campaigns by defining target audiences, key messages, creative approaches and channel strategies that support City programs, services and initiatives.
Leads the development and implementation of detailed communication plans and recommends strategies and tactics regarding program-specific requirements.

Creative Strategy & Collaboration

Provides strategic leadership on campaign messaging frameworks, audience insights and creative approaches to ensure communications are clear, compelling and aligned with the City’s brand and communications standards.
Works collaboratively with Strategy & Relationships, Creative Services, digital and social media teams, media planning specialists and external partners to translate campaign strategies into effective creative concepts and executions across multiple channels.
Delivers high quality communications materials including advertising campaigns, presentations and other communications materials while incorporating City and partner messaging.

Strategic Communications & Advisory

Provides strategic communications advice to City divisions on campaign planning, audience engagement and the development of integrated communications initiatives.
Represents the City/Division/Centre of Excellence at meetings and collaborates effectively with a variety of individuals and stakeholder groups.
Builds collaborative relationships with partner divisions and communications teams to support the strategic development and delivery of communications campaigns.
Manages and oversees the delivery of strategic creative communications services and campaign development for highly sensitive/confidential, high-profile and contentious matters that have city-wide implications.
Develops and operationalizes strategic creative communication strategies and campaigns that protect and/or enhance the City's reputation and ensures senior City officials are prepared in advance to respond to challenges.
Provides senior City officials/divisions with accurate information about a broad range of major City initiatives and public facing issues that are critical to the effective operations and understanding of the organization and provides recommendations on a communications approach, communications strategy and campaign development to address them by monitoring, researching and analyzing issues.

Measurement, Planning & Coordination

Creates benchmarks and adopts a strategic approach that considers best practices to ensure communications and campaign strategies are rooted in measurement, audience insights and performance evaluation.
Measures campaign effectiveness and lessons learned to determine whether communications meet objectives and intended outcomes and to identify opportunities for future initiatives.
Leads and coordinates project teams and cross-functional partners to ensure communications campaigns are delivered effectively.
Contributes to broader communications initiatives and priorities within the division as required, ensuring alignment with campaign strategy, audience engagement and the City’s communications standards.

Professional Leadership & Corporate Standards

Oversees adherence to corporate communications policies and standards to ensure consistency of information across platforms.
Mentors staff within the division to promote best practices and help establish a professional and well-respected communications service.
Works positively with all staff in the division and supports divisional goals by contributing to staff meetings and communications protocols.

Key Qualifications

Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function, such as Advertising, Communications, Marketing, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Extensive experience developing integrated communications, marketing or advertising campaigns, including campaign strategy, audience targeting, messaging development and creative concept development.
Extensive experience providing strategic communications advice to senior staff and stakeholders, translating complex programs, policies or initiatives into clear and effective communications approaches.
Extensive experience providing leadership to communications staff and collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams including creative, media planning, digital and social media specialists.
Extensive experience influencing and building collaborative relationships across a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with a high degree of discretion and professionalism.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced and politically sensitive environment while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Superior oral and written communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills for a variety of communications formats and audiences.
Knowledge of outreach techniques for diverse audiences, including multilingual and specialized media and community organizations, applying an inclusive and culturally sensitive lens to communications.
A collaborative team player with a passion for public service and telling the City of Toronto’s stories in engaging and meaningful ways.

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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