STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT LEAD

• Job ID: 50210
• Job Category: Communications & Marketing
• Division & Section: Solid Waste Management Services, SWM Policy Planning & Outreach
• Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 25th Floor, East Tower, Toronto
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent Vacancy
• Salary: $93,734.00 - $123,449.00, Wage Grade 6.5
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1 
• Posting Period: 23-Oct-2024 to 06-Nov-2024

Job Description:

Reporting to the Manager, Stakeholder and Community Outreach, the incumbent will be responsible for providing overall senior level support to Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) as it pertains to divisional communications, engagement, consultation, outreach, and public education initiatives, while actively creating an environment of innovation, collaboration, transparency, accountability and trust. These initiatives will primarily focus on public education, project delivery and service excellence.

Incumbent will also strengthen relationships, collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, volunteers, community organizations, SWMS customers and the public, while ensuring implementation of principles such as equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements engagement and outreach strategies that support SWMS's public education efforts and initiatives, in accordance with best practices and in consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Supports annual communication, engagement, consultation and outreach planning in collaboration with divisional and corporate stakeholders.
• Provides project-specific supports, as it relates to communications, engagement, consultation, and outreach.
• Liaises with divisional management staff to address resident and/or stakeholder inquiries and concerns regarding public communications, engagement, consultation and outreach activities.
• Collaborates and coordinates in the development of new and review of existing educational resources, material and content for internal and external communications, including web-based platforms.
• Prepares and evaluates procurement documents and collaborates with third party vendors related to research, consultation and engagement services and preparation of communication materials, in collaboration with other divisional and corporate stakeholders. Oversees vendor and contractor performance.
• Applies project and contract management best practices in the execution of assigned projects and contracts.
• Engages in short, medium and long-term planning of initiatives, as it pertains to SWMS's priorities.
• Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program specific requirements.
• Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Researches, develops and evaluates best practices and alternatives to current consultation, engagement and outreach activities and makes recommendations to the Senior Management Team.
• Ensures that consultation, engagement and outreach activities meet City and Provincial AODA legislation and policies, and considers equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Supports the planning, design and facilitation of public events on behalf of the division (e.g. meetings, workshops, open houses, consultations).
• Provides advice on sensitive issues. Recommends and documents corrective action, as necessary, and implements preventative strategies.
• Develops and monitors KPls to report on engagement trends. Identifies innovative approaches, continuous improvement and best practices.
• Effectively collaborates with divisional and corporate staff, including members of the Strategic Public & Employee Communications Division and Legal Services, as it pertains to communications, engagement, consultation and outreach projects and activities.
• Engages divisional volunteers to support outreach and public education efforts, and collaborates with other corporate partners in outreach initiatives, as relevant.
• Identifies opportunities to build and maintain positive relationships and partnerships with divisional and corporate stakeholders, as well as Rights Holders, external stakeholders residents, the public and volunteers.
• Represents the City of Toronto in a range of functions, including presentations, working groups, industry initiatives, and project-specific public and stakeholder consultations.
• Promotes and attends various events and delivers presentations to share educational resources with residents and the public and promote SWMS services and programs.
• Supervises, coaches, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others, as relevant. Supervises the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work.
• Assists with facilitating meetings, developing agendas and meeting materials and note taking, as needed. 

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in public administration, communications, marketing, a social science or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in a government setting will be considered an asset.
2. Considerable experience with project management principles, methodologies and implementation, including identifying project goals, scope, milestones and deliverables, monitoring/ tracking projects through completion and delivering short- and long-term initiatives.
3. Considerable experience in working with internal and external stakeholders and local communities such as City staff, councilors and other government representatives, volunteers, community stakeholders and private sector clients while managing stakeholder expectations. Experience working with Indigenous communities is considered an asset.
4. Considerable experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating engagement and consultation plans, as well as supporting the development of communications strategies and plans.
5. Considerable experience with complex procurements and projects, including developing scope, business requirements, and participation on evaluation teams, etc., coupled with experience in contract management.
6. Experience conducting community outreach with diverse stakeholder groups with demonstrated consideration of principles such as equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
7. Highly developed research, analytical, decision-making, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate (oral and written) with City Staff at every level, Rights Holders, diverse stakeholder groups (including equity deserving communities), political representatives, vendors, the media and the public.
8. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders/subject matter experts.
9. Proven political acumen, judgment, and insight.
10. Ability to work under pressure and prioritize activities to meet tight deadlines.
11. Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise and coach project teams, promoting and fostering teamwork, providing focus and direction to ensure deadlines are met, to achieve desired results.
12. Experience with a wide array of software and Internet-related applications, and standards, including SharePoint CMS, HTML, Adobe and CSS; and proficiency with Microsoft. Excellent knowledge of web content management principles and tools. Technical competency in web and social media communications practices, and with formal design/layout principles and graphic creation will be considered an asset.
13. Understanding of Municipal and Provincial laws, City policies and standards for privacy, security, accessibility and communications.
14. Knowledge of current municipal issues, regulations and evolving policy trends in the City affecting SWMS.
15. Available for occasional meetings or events in evenings and on weekends. 

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees 

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

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.