Apply By: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:59 pm EDT
Competition Status: Application Screening

Approximately 235 individuals applied for this opportunity.

We are screening ALL applications received on or before the closing date and rating them against the qualifications outlined in the job ad. Applicants whose resume and cover letter best demonstrate how they meet the qualifications to do the job will be invited to continue in the hiring process.

To learn about our recruitment process, visit our Hiring Process.

Strategic Communications Advisor

Job ID:
196163
Organization:
Ontario Science Centre
Division:
External Relations/Strategic Communications
City:
Toronto
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Temporary (up to 15 months)
Job code:
02707 - Information Officer 4
Salary:
$1,658.54 - $2,067.58 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Guided by our mission to inspire passion for the human adventure of discovery, the Science Centre:

• Believes science, technology and innovation will help us shape a better future for society and our planet
• Provides opportunities to explore, learn and collaborate
• Makes a positive and enduring impact on the lives of individuals and communities

The Science Centre welcomes 900,000 visitors each year, and offers interactive experiences and insights into science and technology that help visitors of all ages understand and contribute to the world around us.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

About the job

As Strategic Communications Advisor, you will contribute to the Centre's mission and brand by providing communications expertise and leadership in the planning and development of external and internal communications strategies.

You will:
• Provide support to Marketing, Communications, Membership and other departments in identifying project timelines, objectives, deliverables, target audiences, etc. for key initiatives.
• Develop and execute communications plans and strategies to support organizational priorities and objectives.
• Help to identify target audience requirements, environmental factors and communications channels when writing key messages and positioning.
• Lead issue management strategies including drafting key messages, Q&As and issues notes.
• Assist and attend media-related announcements, events, programs, seminars, etc. (which may occur outside of business hours) that are directly related to the Centre's strategic priorities.
• Support on-site media interviews and serve as a liaison to camera crews as needed.

What you bring to the team

Communications Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive knowledge of communications theory, principles and practices
• Superior project management and communications planning skills, for timely and effective coordination and evaluation of communications activities
• Experience planning, leading and coordinating the design and implementation of strategic communications projects and products
• Excellent oral communication skills to provide advice to senior executives, respond to inquiries, lead/coordinate meetings, deliver presentations
• Exceptional writing and editing skills to produce communications presentations and products on tight deadlines
• Strategic thinking skills to conceptualize responses and solutions to complicated issues, problems and opportunities involving a multitude of stakeholders
• Experience building close working relationships with targeted journalists at key media outlets and can provide ongoing guidance and support with media relations

Project Management Skills

• Project management skills to lead and coordinate strategic communications projects and ensure successful completion
• Ability to lead project teams, and plan and coordinate action plans, activities, programs and projects for comprehensive communications strategies
• Ability to prioritize issues and projects in order to manage a number of projects concurrently
• Excellent project management skills to plan and oversee communications projects from inception to implementation

Interpersonal and Relationship Management Skills

• Excellent advisory and influencing skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and client groups
• Ability to promote partnerships, joint initiatives and consultation with internal/external stakeholders on integrated communications strategies and plans
• Facilitation skills to lead and participate in inter-departmental communication projects
• Ability to build support for the adoption of new initiatives and ideas, and influence management level decision-making using tact, diplomacy and persuasion

Research, Analytical and Evaluation Skills

• Experience interpreting, applying and integrating policies, program objectives, business requirements, and communications theory, principles and practices in relation to the delivery of communications support
• Knowledge to develop performance measurement mechanisms to evaluate programs and initiatives, and provide accurate environmental communications assessments and measurement analysis
• Ability to gather, analyze, organize and synthesize information to develop communications options and solutions, and provide strategic communications recommendations to senior management

Additional information:

Apply by:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • 1 English Temporary, duration up to 15 months, 770 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Toronto Region
Compensation group:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Work hours:
Category:
Communications; Marketing and Creative Services
Posted on:
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Note:

  • T-SC-196163/23


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