Job Specification
Position Title:
Amended - TEAM LEAD, DIGITAL AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Job Code:
6A005 - Communications06
Purpose :
-To provide team leadership to unit strategic digital services staff, monitoring and coordinating the flow of work and ensuring timely completion;
-To manage the development of a strategic communications framework for the development and implementation of digital campaigns directed to public and stakeholder audiences, including leading-edge strategies, plans and provision of services and support for e-government initiatives and electronic
service delivery, and meet ministry communications and marketing requirements;
-To develop and implement innovative strategies to advance e-government initiatives and electronic service delivery.
-Provides strategic digital communications and technical advice, services, strategies and products to senior management.
-Provide strategic digital communications, corporate communications, and event management advice to branch and Ministry clients, Deputy Minister's, Minister's offices and Cabinet Office Communications to:
-Lead, plan and guide execution of the strategic communications direction for the Ministry digital communications and operations of the Ministry online communication channels, including social media and website.
Key Responsibilities :
1. Team Leadership
Team leadership is an ongoing aspect of the role involving a significant portion of the work time; responsibilities include:
-Providing team leadership for the Digital and Corporate Communications unit, including monitoring and coordinating work flow;
-Scheduling and assigning work, and overseeing its completion; reviewing assignments for quality and providing feedback;
-Providing updates on overall work status, and reviewing and recommending process changes/ adjustments to promote productivity and improve performance;
-Ensuring project goals and timelines are on track and within budget, identifying gaps, recommending solutions and opportunities.
-Providing input to management on employee performance;
-Providing orientation and training to new employees;
-Acting as manager, Digital & Corporate Communications as required.
2. Digital and Corporate Communications Strategy
-Manages the development of a strategic communications framework for digital/online products and services, including the development of digital communications snapshots, digital campaign rollout and social media calendar, video development, digital asset development, campaign monitoring and report backs, and community management
-Develops and implements strategies to advance e-government initiatives and electronic service delivery, including digital/web, new media, text, graphics/animated multi-media communications products and services. Leads development of related policies, processes and standards;
-Preparing strategic and focused business cases, digital and corporate communications strategies and plans, briefing materials and program reporting for senior management, the Deputy Minister's Office, the Minister's Office, and Cabinet Office.
-Facilitating and managing digital communications projects by knowing current trends and anticipating trends as well as technologies and techniques regarding online, social media, policy and program trends and recommending innovative solutions.
-Using knowledge of best practices, developing and recommending short to longer-term strategies and plans for implementation regarding public and stakeholder experience and program improvement for the entire Ministry, its agencies, and its partners. Strategies and plans include developing digital content and connections with other ministries as well as program delivery partners that work with and are impacted by the Ministry.
-Leading the Ministry's Internet and intranet websites, including planning, directing and managing the design, development, implementation, maintenance and review of the sites. Ensures that Ministry sites reflect government priorities, making decisions about appropriateness of content and presentation, and works with program areas to establish relative priorities. Ensures sites meet legislated provisions under the French Language Services and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
-Leads the ministry content management system used to support all major ministry web sites, including establishing quality standards and processes for developing, approving and publishing web content. Negotiates content management application needs and resolving conflicts with internal and external
suppliers (e.g.: platform vendors, IT consultants, IT cluster).
-Provides strategic advice and support to senior management on corporate/internal communications strategies and event planning.
-Plans and directs the Ministry's publication functions and projects to ensure quality and timeliness. Plans and leads the design, development and delivery of a full range of publications and production materials and creative services (e.g.: graphic services, print production, photography, videography
services, exhibit design and management) provided by creative service providers. Obtains and manages services provided by external service providers.
-Conducts surveys to gather feedback from staff and other users on Ministry publications (content and format/vehicles).
3. Project Planning and Reporting
-Developing and applying performance measures, reporting techniques, metrics and tools for all channels to monitor and provide ongoing assessment of branch programs and initiatives, ensuring they meet the mandate and vision of the Ministry, industry standards and benchmarks.
-Managing and keeping to budget allocation to ensure effective tactics based on results from performance reports/metrics.
-Providing research results, analytics, analysis and recommendations to the Ministry management, executive team, Minister's Office, Cabinet Office, vendors, staff and client ministries to promote increased business effectiveness and resolve issues.
-Monitoring the effectiveness of digital communication strategies and communities/channels throughout the Ministry.
-Maintaining awareness of corporate priorities, strategies, issues, and public and stakeholder expectations.
-Participating in inter/intra ministerial/jurisdictional, government project teams and committees to provide expertise and guidance.
-Liaising with Ministry staff, service providers and other interested parties to communicate/advice on programs, activities, service delivery issues, priorities and the views, opinions and expectations of branch management.
Knowledge / Skill :
Knowledge of:
-Theories, principles and practices of contemporary and internal communications, journalism, media relations, and public relations within the government context in order to provide strategic digital communications and online communication channel management advice to Branch and Ministry clients, Deputy Minister's, Minister's offices and Cabinet Office Communications.
-Traditional, online community, social media channels and emerging technologies and techniques in order to lead and deliver digital communications campaigns.
-Specialized knowledge of branding, digital strategies and communications principles, techniques and best practices in order to ensure consistency with the Ministry's branding and visual identity standards.
-Understanding and knowledge of the roles of various communications channels and how they relate to
the online public and stakeholder experience (e.g., online, advertising, promotions, field research and outreach, partner communications, social media, intranet) in order to provide strategic digital communications and online communication channel management advice to Branch and Ministry clients,
Deputy Minister's, Minister's Offices and Cabinet Office Communications.
-OPS and Ministry procurement, vendor of record policies, rules, procedures, guidelines and processes in order to manage vendor contracts.
-OPS and Ministry financial, budgeting, and forecasting policies, rules, procedures, guidelines and processes in order to manage and monitor large budget projects.
-Ministry's vision, mandate, business plans, objectives, priorities and strategic directions in order to develop and implement effective internal and external programs and initiatives that ensure strategic plans, deliverables and communities are compatible and will achieve the results of raising awareness and support of the public and stakeholders.
-Methods and techniques to utilize the standard Microsoft Office suite, social media tools, web reporting tools, and analytics and related software in order to conduct program analyses, and develop program recommendations, presentations, reports, briefing notes, etc.
Skills:
-Strategic planning, organization, budgeting and coordination skills in order to develop and manage digital, corporate communications and event projects for all of the Ministry, including partnering ministries and agencies, program delivery government partners, in order to ensure they meet the goals and mandate of the Ministry, and create a brand that will be successful with Ontario's citizens.
-Expertise and skill in developing, writing, and delivering presentations to senior management, including the Minister's Office and Cabinet Office, and to client organizations.
-Communications skills (written and oral), negotiation and relationship management skills, in order to lead and guide a team, manage contract relationships, develop and foster effective partnerships and develop complex program reports.
-Project leadership and project management skills in order to lead project teams, and to ensure that project goals and timelines are on track and within budget, as well as to identify gaps, and to recommend solutions and opportunities.
-Financial, budgeting, forecasting skills in order to plan, recommend, and administer to large project budgets.
-Political acuity skills in order to market digital strategies to ensure business goals are met.
-Office computer proficiency to prepare reports and proposals, access databases, research information, and other materials.
Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :
Interpersonal / Influencing Skill:
-Leadership and motivational skills in order to work cooperatively with colleagues, senior management and others in the OPS in coordinating and implementing digital and corporate strategies.
-Diplomacy and relationship management skills in order to develop and maintain effective partnerships within and external to the OPS in order to obtain their endorsement of digital and corporate strategies.
-Interpersonal skills in order to convey to clients expert advice and recommendations regarding alternative digital and corporate communications that are consistent with Ministry and government priorities.
-Conflict management and consensus-building skills in order to obtain agreement on deadlines and changes to products to achieve a high quality.
-Advisory skills in order to provide strategic digital and corporate communications advice to Ministry and OPS clients, and to the Minister's and Deputy Minister's Offices.
Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :
Analyzing and problem solving skills to:
-Identify opportunities to improve digital communications and communities, to identify potential issues, and to suggest options to respond.
-Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and online research, and to apply performance measure evaluations and reports accurately in order to ensure that digital strategies are cost-effective and support the Ministry's priorities.
-Prioritize and negotiate projects in order to successfully deliver complex projects from start to completion.
-Establish work priorities and apply problem-solving techniques in order to achieve issue resolution.
-Forecast and manage budgets, reports, and campaign spending.
-Develop reports for Ministry management, the executive team, Minister's Office, Cabinet Office, vendors, staff and client ministries in order to promote increased business effectiveness and resolve issues.
Decision Making / Responsibility :
Responsible for:
-Providing strategic digital communications advice and online communication community management to address the opportunities and issues around improving the public, stakeholder and ministry experience.
-Developing digital content and plans, and negotiating and managing the approval of these products, in order to ensure that business goals are met, and to ensure the accuracy and consistency of messaging.
-Coordinating the launch of digital initiatives and implementation of digital communications plans.
-Presenting digital strategy recommendations to Ministry clients for their content and communications needs.
-Overseeing the work of others contributing to product development and implementation for digital, corporate and event management.
Has latitude to:
-Negotiate with Deputy's and Minister's Offices, and Cabinet Office, in order to determine which digital, corporate and event strategies and content are appropriate; determine which areas of the Ministry need to be involved, and to what extent.
-Oversee the work of others contributing to related product development for compliance with communication standards and protocols; ensure that budgets are adhered to, and that timelines/deadlines are met.
-Decisions are guided by: the Ministry's standards and policies, Branch policies and procedures, established marketing techniques and principles, and Cabinet Office Communications standards and policies; directions given by the Deputy Minister's and Minister's Offices; government-wide priorities, core businesses and goals, policy development and political decision-making processes.
Contacts / Stakeholder :
-The Ministry's clients (Minister's Office, Deputy's Office, ADMs, senior management, program and policy staff) to assess communications needs, provide background information.
-Other OPS ministries and MMA and MHO agencies to ensure third-party endorsements on digital strategies to maintain co-operative working relationships, and to discuss content needs and deliverables including who does what and when.
-Other sections within the Communications Branch to roll out digital campaigns and corporate communications and event support, including event logistics, social media and online content.
-Cabinet Office Communications to provide advice on digital marketing, event logistics and products, and to seek approval to proceed with products.
Guidance / Supervision :
-Provides technical direction, coaching and guidance to branch and unit communications staff. Reviews assigned work and provide feedback; provides input to management on employee performance; and provides orientation and training to new employees.
-Provides project leadership to team members, both internal and external.
-Provides strategic and tactical advice and guidance to clients, management and stakeholders in the development and implementation of digital, corporate communications and events strategies.
-Ability to manage external suppliers (e.g., vendors of record, agencies, graphics, printers, etc.).
Demands / Pressures :
Work Demands :
-Frequent unexpected work demands for new products and changes to existing products;
-Frequently works with tight time pressures and deadlines for products often need to be written under very tight deadlines and circulated for approvals; and deadlines for products prior to public launches;
-Frequently works with conflicting demands, including working on and prioritizing regular workload and projects assigned by Minister's Office, Deputy's Office or Cabinet Office;
-Moderate degree of workload demands cannot be met within normal working hours as some requests require short turn-around time for response, e.g., same day or within hours for some responses.
Mental / Sensory :
-Frequently read complex policy, legislation, and program requirements, and research without interruption so that digital products can be developed in a
timely manner.
-Frequently concentrate on multiple products to ensure projects are handled effectively and with accuracy.
-Frequently observe interactions keenly so as to gauge reactions to proposed advice, and to make alternative recommendations as required.
-Frequently give instructions to other sections within Communications and Marketing Branch on rollout of a digital communications initiative.
Conditions / Environment :
Work is performed in a typical office environment.