Communications Advisor, Office of the Deputy CAO

Reporting to the Associate Director Strategic Communications & Public Affairs the Communications Advisor provides support in the development and implementation of special projects and day-to-day internal and external communications activities

• College or university degree/equivalent in communications, political science, journalism or related discipline.
• College or university degree/equivalent in communications, political science, journalism or related discipline is preferred.

• Experience in social marketing, social media, public relations, community consultation, media relations, resource development, and special events planning, demonstrated knowledge of communications technologies and practices, including multi-media and Internet communications.

• Researches, writes, and edits media products for review.
• Analyzes media coverage, identifying items of interest and providing information to support performance measures benchmarks and reports prepared for Corporate Leadership Team.
• Identifies news stories with corporate communications consultants, delivering story pitches to reporter.
• Prepares social media content for VINE front page and for external channels. Acts as formal back-up for Web & Social Media Coordinator.
• Attends displays to answer resident questions about specific initiatives or the organization.

• Researches, develops, and edits communication and government relations documents, PowerPoint presentations, display materials, articles for publishing in newsletters and newspapers (traditional and online), media releases, web copies, and VINE front page copy.

• Monitors, evaluates and analyzes references to Niagara Region for Performance Measures and news dashboard service, assessing coverage based on indicators and tracking news articles and compiling daily news emails and weekly government relations updates.

• Identifies event plan requirements, conducting research and staff interviews.
• Completes the ‘Events Management Plan’, determining objectives and identifying invited guests and media representatives.
• Prepares event invitations and save the date products, composing invitations, event remarks, speeches, media advisories and releases, and cutlines for photos for the Regional Chair, Commissioners, Directors and other senior staff involved in the agenda.

• Contributes to survey development, researching topics and brainstorming ideas.

• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to community events or meetings as authorized by the corporation for business reasons.
• Evening and weekend work may be required as matters arise.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license to the class of vehicle operated.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.