Job Specification

Purpose :

To manage the full range of communications functions, including but not limited to strategic communications, issues management and media relations, digital/social media, marketing/public education, correspondence, and translation/editorial services.

To lead a team of communications professionals to provide communications advice and expertise during the policy development process; to develop, implement, evaluate and support strategic communications planning for ministry and corporate projects.

To provide strategic communications expertise and advice to ministry executives, Minister's Office, senior management, and staff on communications strategies, options, products, recommendations, risks, and issues management.

To manage the development of proactive and innovative multi-year strategic communications and strategic marketing plans and products that support ministry/government business directions and priorities.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Leads the development of the ministry's strategic communications planning model and framework that includes short term and multi-year communications plan to convey ministry strategy, objectives, policy direction, products, and programs. Oversees the design and establishment of communications models, products, processes and methodologies that are consistent with government standards and best practices, and ensures accountability and excellence in public and stakeholder products.
2. Promotes the development of partnerships and linkages with the ministry's policy branches to support integrated communications activities, policy development and program implementation. Leads the identification of ministry communication needs and opportunities, and the development of plans and marketing strategies. Provides advice and expertise to senior management/executives on strategic communication decisions and directions, and on identifying stakeholder issues and related risk analysis impacting the government commitments and public record.
3. Provides leadership in advancing research-driven analysis, and modern communications practices, new media strategies, products, tools and tactics to support strategic planning, media relations, public education and marketing. Makes strategic communications recommendations and proposals to both line and central agency DMs, ADMs, Directors, senior management, media relations teams and ministry committees.
4. Manages the ongoing identification, assessment, proactive approaches to issues management, which have the potential for major ministry and government implications. To ensure issues are identified early and effective issues management plans are implemented to avoid risk.
5. Provides strategic advice, briefings and communications expertise to the Minister's Office, Deputy Minister, executive office staff and other ministry staff on communications research, strategies, products and strategic planning to support ministry policies, initiatives and Cabinet submissions. Develops performance measures and evaluates success of key strategies.
6. Provides strategic advice and communications expertise to the Director, ADM and ministry senior executive on communication marketing and social marketing strategies based on changing ministry policy/program priorities to ensure that the ministry effectively raises public awareness of government/ministry objectives, policies and programs and to stimulate behavior change.
7. Manages and directs project teams of communications, policy and program staff to develop options and make recommendations, identify risks and strategies based on analysis of environmental scans and stakeholder information to support ministry and government policy directions and communications priorities. Acts as a lead partner in internal corporate transformational initiatives and corporate ministry programs.
8. Serves on ministry, inter-ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees, forums and working groups to develop consensus approach to strategic communications, roll-out and issues management. Represents ministry/government in negotiations related to partnership agreements and working with counterparts in other jurisdictions (federal, provincial, municipal) to develop communication strategies and directions, as well as identifying risks to actions and issues management strategies to position government.
9. Acts on behalf of the director as a full member of the ministry's senior management team to provide cross-functional guidance for all corporate priorities.
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 :

Knowledge :

Ministry strategic corporate directions, multi-year strategic business 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.

Large-scale strategic communications planning to provide leadership and expertise in the development and evaluation of communications plans, products, tools, program frameworks and new approaches to support ministry policy development, programs, initiatives and information campaigns.

Media relations, social media and marketing analysis techniques to assess public reaction, media perceptions and opinions on ministry strategies, projects and initiatives.

Ministry's focus, direction, organizational structure, business plans, goals, programs, program delivery models, services, relevant legislation, issues and trends, to ensure that strategies are implemented within the context of the OPS-wide communications plan and the government's agenda, and to ensure alignment of communications with ministry plans and directions.

Theories, principles, and methods of strategic communications including research, media relations, social media, social marketing, digital tools, stakeholder and public outreach and engagement to provide strategic communications planning expertise, advice, and strategy recommendations.

Policy development, issues management and research methodologies relating to communications, and protocol for Cabinet committee submissions, and government/ministry decision-making approvals processes to provide leadership for the development of ministry strategic communications plans.

Relationship management skills to promote partnerships, joint initiatives and consultation with internal/external stakeholders on integrated communications strategies and plans as well as work effectively with political staff, senior executives, and Cabinet Office.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for leading the development, implementation and delivery of the ministry's strategic communication planning framework to promote and communicate ministry and government direction, objectives, products, tools, policies and program initiatives to the public, target audiences, other levels of government, OPS ministries, partners and other stakeholders.

Responsible for providing strategic communications planning expertise, advice, and strategy recommendations to ministry senior management, the Deputy Minister, Minister and Cabinet Office.

Responsible for implementing broad communications strategies for the ministry that align with government objectives, identifies and integrates related files, and identifies issues in advance and develops mitigation strategies.

Responsible for leading and managing projects, initiatives, and analysis to identify communications strategies, issues and risk management plans to support ministry and government objectives, consistent with best practices and aligned with the communications objectives of other ministries.

Responsible for representing the ministry in negotiating strategic communications planning and delivery with other ministries and jurisdictions.

Responsible for leading and managing the strategic communications planning, implementation and delivery for public and stakeholder communications to support the Premier's and multi-ministry meetings and conferences associated with complex and multi-faceted public policy initiatives.

Responsible for developing options, analysis, and risk assessments that support communications strategies to senior ministry executives regarding issues, stakeholder/jurisdictional positions that could potentially impact the ministry/government agenda.

Responsible for managing the full range of communications functions, including but not limited to marketing/public education, digital/social media, issues management and media relations, and translation/editorial services, correspondence.

Analytical Thinking :

Identifies communications planning and partnership opportunities, and assesses the feasibility/implications of strategies and options. Evaluates the nature, scope and degree of short/long term planning and determines tactics for success in raising awareness, education/social marketing campaigns. Identifies, evaluates, and takes measures to address shortfalls.

Identifies emerging issues, trends, and shifts in public/stakeholder opinion; to assess and understand target audiences; to evaluate performance indicators; to measure success for the ministry; and to re-position corporate communication strategies.

Directs planning, execution and evaluation of complex and comprehensive environmental scan, trend-tracking and strategic stakeholder analysis; ensures that analysis and recommendations are accurate and support ministry directions.

Integrates a strategic communications perspective for client divisions throughout the policy development process.

Develops options, analysis, and risk assessments that support communications strategies to senior ministry executives regarding issues, stakeholder/jurisdictional positions that could potentially impact the ministry/government agenda.

Leads the assessment of public impact of ministry policies/programs to ensure that communications strategies and business relationships positively promote the image and credibility of the government, Minister, and Deputy Minister.

Plans, develops and leads strategies to inform and influence public perceptions and provides messaging aligned with ministry/government goals and objectives.

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.

Plans and manages the implementation of an integrated communications plan with the various divisions and program areas of the ministry.

Plans and coordinates cross-ministry, government-wide initiatives with other ministries and other jurisdictions.

Plans and manages operations to ensure that divisions are supported with communications strategy and insight, messaging and strategic positioning reflected in the development of communications plans and tactics.

Manages and coordinates communications research and analysis for the ministry and identifies information/research needs. Plans and manages strategic communication staff and all related fiscal and material resources, and promotes integrated communications products across all sections within the branch.

Co-leads integrated communications programs with policy counterparts, incorporating policy objectives, stakeholder management and public outreach.

Integrates across all units of the communications branch to ensure effective planning and seamless information sharing for ministry and enterprise wide initiatives.

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, which is considered authoritative, and informs policy and program decisions.

Decision-making involves providing counsel, strategic advice, recommendations and briefings to the ADM, Deputy Minister and Minister's Office on proposed communications strategies.

Makes decisions, recommendations and proposals that influence executive level decision-making, and the development/implementation of strategic communication plans that support policy development at the divisional/ministry level.

Ensures the effective promotion and communications of ministry objectives, policy direction and program initiatives and the media/public presentation of the ministry across the province, nationally and internationally, and the government's credibility with stakeholders.

Leads and collaborates with other assistant communications directors and/or senior management at other ministries to deliver joint communications plans or campaigns that cover multiple ministry mandates or stakeholders.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Communicates with ministry senior management including ADMs, the Deputy Minister, and staff of the Minister's Office, to receive/convey briefing information; and develop cooperative efforts with ministry divisions, senior communications advisors and media relations teams regarding planning, public education, communications.

Provides information to target groups, program areas, stakeholders, media, other government ministries, Deputy Minister, Minister's Office, and Cabinet Office Communications; and to chair meetings and contribute to committees.

Discusses issues of mutual concern with counterparts in other ministries. Provides leadership, resolve issues with ministry external stakeholders.

Negotiates to build support for ideas and influence senior management and the executive offices, and to advance and promote the communications interests of the ministry.

Provides strategic advice, options, analysis, and makes persuasive recommendations/presentations to ministry senior management and executives on communications and issues plan relating to stakeholder and public communications.

Builds key horizontal relationships, and leads and manages partnership negotiations and consultation processes, with a view to developing and fostering linkages across the OPS and with other partners in order to identify and develop communication approaches and issues resolutions.

Chairs or participates on senior level corporate committees, working groups, special projects and initiatives related to the design, development and evaluation of ministry/cross-ministry communication planning.

Physical Effort :

Most of the time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about.

Sensory Effort :

Requires high level of concentration to develop strategic communication policies, guidelines, with limited ability to control pace of work.

Required to manage daily demands, changing and conflicting priorities, and 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.