Job Specification

Purpose :

To lead and manage a team of communications professionals in the handling of high profile, sensitive, contentious issues/projects subject to public, partner and/or stakeholder interest and attention.

To provide strategic issues management, crisis communications, and media relations advice to ministry colleagues, managers, senior executives, other ministries, Minister's Office, Cabinet Office, and Premier's Office in support to ministry programs.

To lead and manage and monitor media relations and develop media relations strategies to support overall communications plans for ministry initiatives, including proactive media outreach.

To represent the ministry on committees relating to cross-ministry issues and corporate initiatives, and with other levels of government.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Leads a unit of Communications Branch responsible for ministry corporate issues management and the development of media relations strategies to ensure ministry and government issues, media and correspondence are effectively managed. Leads and manages contentious issues identification through the analysis of media, social media and stakeholder communication channels, environmental scans, and ministry program, policy and fiscal decisions to recommend responses on the critical issues.
2. Manages proactive and reactive media relations for the ministry, ensures the timely and effective planning, coordination and evaluation of contentious media calls and request for interviews, liaises with Deputy Minister's office and Minister's press secretary to resolve issues. Responsible for developing and implementing media protocols and for ensuring interview coaching and professional guidance is made available to the minister, deputy minister and other senior management as required.
3. Manages the preparation of reports, briefing materials, House Book Notes, responses to Order Paper Questions and petitions, the tabling of annual reports, and short notice fact-checks for communication materials and responses to urgent issues and inquiries, on behalf of the Offices of the Deputy Minister, Minister and Premier to ensure timely responses.
4. Provides strategic advice and expertise to staff, senior management, other ministries, the Deputy Minister and Minister on the content, tone and messaging of responses to contentious issues, questions in the Legislature, Provincial Auditor's questions, Legislative Committee requests and ministry crises communication plans (public health, safety, environmental) to neutralize or minimize negative impact.
5. Leads the development of communications plans, approaches, responses and course of action to convey the ministry's position on potentially volatile issues, and/or takes actions to address a crisis.
6. Leads the development, implementation of an issues management process for the identification, analysis and response to media inquiries, Minister's correspondence, Ombudsman and public information/education requests, FIPPA matters, press releases and policy, operational and field issues.
7. Leads the provision of communications support to the Minister, and acts as the ministry liaison with the Deputy Minister's Office, Minister's Office and Cabinet Office to ensure that the Minister's/Premier's House Book is up-to-date on ministry issues.
8. Builds the ministry's capacity for intelligence gathering including an information resource of reliable sources to anticipate and clarify media reports, news releases, Question Period, etc. to facilitate the research, identification and analysis of emerging trends and issues that may impact on ministry policies and programs. Oversees the planning and delivery of ministry-wide issues management training seminars on policies, best practices and standards.
9. Liaises with staff of the ADM's, Deputy Minister's and Minister's Office to advise on project and issues management activities. Represents the branch on senior level ministry, OPS-wide and external councils, committees, special projects, and joint initiatives to exchange information related to issue manage. Contributes to branch business planning and administer unit budget, and authorizes and manages external service contracts.
10. Leads the establishment, maintenance, and monitoring of relationships with reporters to support effective, honest, and trusting two-way communications that allows the ministry to reach the broader public in a clear and accurate way.
11. Represents the ministry on committees relating to cross-ministry issues and corporate initiatives, and with other levels of government.
Managerial Responsibilities
1. Develops and oversees ministry strategic plans in the program area and provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues impacting the OPS and ministry service deliverables.
2. Controls financial resources and reporting, develops the multi-year budget and resource plans. Leads business, financial, and results-based planning processes for Ministry programs/operations and services.
3. Builds organizational capacity through effective human resources development by authorizing recruitment activities, labour relations management, talent management, organizational design and succession planning.
4. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate information flow and identification of issues; presents and advocates the ministry's position at various forums
5. Responsible for the overall compliance with legislative statutes, collective agreements, government and ministry policies, directives, guidelines and commitments related to programs and services.

Factors :

Ministry strategic corporate directions, multi-year business and results based planning processes, and ministry service delivery models, to lead and manage a significant ministry program area, to determine program objectives and resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs and projects with corporate strategic goals.

Government and ministry financial, administrative and procurement policies and directives to plan and manage fiscal and material resources. This includes reviewing and approving budgets, managing facilities, assets, and contract service providers, leading long range fiscal planning, providing regular financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with financial protocols, audit principles, directives and guidelines.

Human resources theories, principles, policies and collective agreements to develop organizational capacity which includes succession planning, talent management, organization and job design and labour relations management.

Project management principles and methodologies to oversee and guide the overall delivery of mandates and strategies.

Strategic communications planning, media relations and issues management methods, techniques and principles, to lead communications, issues management and media relations, provide strategic advice on communication issues and the implementation of new/revised communications and technologies.

Government/ministry decision-making/approvals process, policies, procedures and protocol related to issues management and media relations, project management and executive support to facilitate information flow between branch managers/Director, other ministries, Cabinet Office, Premier's office, and the ADM's, DM's and Minister's Offices.

Quality control methods, processes and standards to ensure accountability for all information and products from the Director's office.

Project management approaches and techniques to provide strategic advice/guidance on project planning and management, and to ensure that objectives, quality and time-line targets are met.

Financial and administrative procedures and cost centre budget preparation in order to manage fiscal and material resources including budgets, facilities, assets, and contracted service providers.

Ministry strategic goals, program areas, objectives, policy direction, legislative authorities, businesses, services, issues and priorities to manage the research, identification, management and analysis of issues, the provision of communications expertise across the ministry, and the development and implementation of issues management strategies and solutions.

Political acuity and strategic thinking skills to provide advice and recommendations to ministry senior management and the Deputy Minister's, Minister's and Premier's Offices on strategies and approaches to mitigate risk.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for planning, directing and management of ministry's issues management and media relations functions including communication support, and crisis communication framework, policies, standards, operations and services for the ministry.

Responsible for providing strategic issues management and media relations expertise, advice and strategic recommendations to ministry senior management and the Offices of the Deputy Minister, Minister and Premier.

Responsible for managing the coordination of information support across the ministry for the development of responses to media, ministerial responses, reports, briefing materials, analyses, and questions from Legislative Committees and the House.

Responsible for addressing high profile and high risk issues that could have significant implications to the ministry and government, and develops advice/plans under short timelines, often with incomplete information and with multiple influencers/stakeholders to address.

Analytical Thinking :

Identifies, analyzes and advise on potential and emerging issues and media relation strategies those have potential impact on ministry objectives and public and political implications.

Analyzes trends and issues and determines the extent to which they may have become contentious and ensuring that the Minister, Deputy Minister, Cabinet Office, Premier's Office, other ministries, and senior management have been alerted and are equipped for suitable and timely response.

Manages media relations as well as stakeholder and partner reactions in often unpredictable situations; and to assess and develop strategies to de-escalate issues and maximize the ministry's ability to respond to contentious issues.

Analyzes public and media opinions and perceptions for the development of issues management, media strategies and effective responses.

Planning / Coordinating :

Leads and manages multi-year strategic business /program/service plans including the deployment of resources (human and financial) to deliver programs and services.

Coordinates and leads the planning and implementation of organizational development and complex change initiatives for the program, service, project or initiative.

Plans and coordinates multiple deliverables with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Leads and manages ministry issues management, media relations, and executive communication support operations to meet diverse and competing ministerial demands, collaborates with numerous contacts (ministry program areas, regional offices, other ministries, the executive offices, Cabinet Office, and external stakeholder groups) to obtain supporting materials.

Leads, plans, and coordinates project management, the development/prioritization/timelines of projects, with input from all sections to identify and resolve problems/shortfalls/gaps/redundancies.

Leads and manages an issues management and media process that fosters linkages with ministry program areas and executive offices to assess and respond to contentious issues that may have impact on branch operations and/or stakeholder concerns.

Plans and integrates new/revised communication and issues management procedures and strategies.

Leads and manages media monitoring, social media and stakeholder communication channels through coordinating with ministry assigned staff and ensure critical issues are identified and addressed. Also, ensure ministry communications announcements and campaigns are circulated.

Leads and manages program delivery within an on-demand environment requiring instantaneous ministerial responses and advice.

Leadership/Guidance :

Develops, builds and leads organizational capacity through positive and values based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams, and partnerships. Frames program vision and strategy for services, programs or operations.

Determines human resources and organizational needs for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with ministry objectives; leads talent management and succession planning; mentors employees; sets goals and performance standards.

Exercises managerial and strategic leadership accountability and authority in the areas of organizational design, recruitment and retention, talent management, labour relations and compensation related matters.

Independence of Action :

Reports to a senior level, Director or higher and works within broad parameters and the strategic ministry/branch mandate, legislation, and strategic goals and directions.

Exercises considerable independence and judgment in the development of program/service plans including delivery/implementation to meet government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to Senior Management, Minister's Office, Cabinet Office and Premier's Office, which is considered authoritative, and informs policy and program decisions.

Work is performed within relevant policies, procedures, directives and guidelines, division/ministry strategic direction and branch programs.

Identifies potential high risk issues that may have significant implications to the ministry and may affect ministry programs and services, and recommends communications strategies to address potential political and public impacts from the release of information/materials.

Determines tone and messaging of responses to contentious issues, questions, and media requests to neutralize or minimize negative impact on government reputation and programs and services.

With limited guidance, provides expert advice, decisions and appropriate responses to manage time sensitive and high profile issues which often have complex cross-program, business and political implications.

Makes decision in addressing urgent matters and information requests from multiple stakeholders often under short timelines and with incomplete information.

Manages projects and modifies priorities to achieve ministry/division/branch goals and objectives.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Provides advice/guidance, exchanges information and supports issues management, clarifies issues/requests to senior management, ministry corporate branches and the Director/branch managers, Minister's Office, Cabinet Office, and Premier's Office, and oversees the preparation of responses, briefing materials and products.

Responds to requests for information (presentation material, cabinet submissions, briefing notes, reports), often under tight timelines and on contentious/sensitive/high profile subjects.

Exercises political acuity in developing/maintaining working relationships and communication networks within the branch/ministry and liaising with senior management and partners/stakeholders on sensitive issues.

Provides strategic advice/briefings to the senior management on high profile and public issues.

Builds consensus on important decisions to address issues or crises, often with people with different perspectives, pressures, and opinions.

Physical Effort :

Most of the time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects.

Sensory Effort :

Requires high degree of concentration for reviewing contentious issues assessing, and drafting content to manage emerging contentious issues, and for editing and proofreading when responding to media issues.

Requires resiliency to manage the daily demands, changing and conflicting priorities, manage large volumes of work and multiple projects, and to deal with frequent interruption by staff.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.