Apply By: Friday, July 17, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Team Lead, Issues and Media Relations

Job ID:
245244
Organization:
Ministry of the Attorney General
Division:
Communications Branch
City:
Toronto
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Temporary up to 12 months, with possible extension
Job code:
7A005 - Communications07
Salary:
$92,976.00 - $135,136.00 Per year

Are you ready to help shape the future of communications and issues management at the Ministry of the Attorney General?

We're on the lookout for a dynamic Team Lead to join the collaborative Issues Management and Media Relations team at the Ministry of the Attorney General.

If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for leadership, innovation, coaching and building strong relationships, this is your chance to step into a key position at a ministry that plays a pivotal role in Ontario's justice system. This is a brand-new opportunity —don't miss your chance to make an impact!

About the job

In this role you will:
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that support ministry and government priorities, ensuring alignment, consistency, and responsiveness to emerging issues
• Lead a team of communications professionals, providing mentorship, assigning tasks, ensuring quality control, and leading cross-functional and inter-ministerial project teams to deliver high-impact communications initiatives
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership, including the Minister and Deputy Minister, on issues management, media relations, and the communications implications of policy and program decisions
• Lead the writing and review of a wide range of communications materials (e.g., issues management plans, media responses, house book notes), ensuring clarity, consistency with messaging, and alignment with government protocols
• Build and maintain partnerships across ministries, jurisdictions, and stakeholder groups to coordinate communications efforts and enhance public trust in ministry initiatives

What you bring to the team


Leadership and project management skills:

• You have excellent leadership skills to motivate and guide communications teams, providing coaching, technical direction, and training to support team success.
• You can apply project management methodologies to lead all phases of communications and issues management projects, ensuring timely and successful delivery.

Communications and Media Relations expertise:

• You have expertise in media, public relations, issues management and strategic communications planning, grounded in editorial standards, and contemporary practices to lead initiatives and advise senior officials.
• You can identify and assess emerging or complex issues that require communication expertise.
• You have experience developing strategies and plans that mitigate risks and propose solutions using best practices while ensuring alignment with mandates and guidelines.

Communication and analytical skills:

• You have well developed oral and written communication skills to simplify complex policy and legislation for public and media audiences.
• You can prepare and edit a wide range of communications products for internal and external audiences including emails, memos, briefing decks, messaging, issues management plans and media call responses that align with organizational priorities.
• You have proven research and analytical skills to conduct environmental scans, market research, and post-implementation evaluations using performance measurement methodologies.

Interpersonal and relationship management skills:

• You have excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior officials and media.
• You can influence and advise senior leaders by providing strategic guidance on complex issues and communications planning.
• You have the interpersonal and facilitation skills to lead discussions, chair meetings, and manage conflicting viewpoints to build consensus.
• You can navigate politically sensitive environments with sound judgment and political acuity when engaging with executive offices and diverse stakeholder groups.

Technical expertise:

You can:
• understand broad government direction and central agency functions and ensure communications strategies align with corporate and ministry mandates
• provide expert advice and develop communication products that support strategic program objectives while ensuring consistency with government priorities and legislation.

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:
Friday, July 17, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 720 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
Compensation group:
Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario
Work hours:
Category:
Communications; Marketing and Creative Services
Posted on:
Friday, July 3, 2026

Note:

  • About security checks:
    A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
    If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
    Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
  • C-AG-245244/26


How to apply:

  1. You must apply online.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


Strengthening Ontario, together