Manager Issues & Digital Media

Are you an experienced leader with a proven track record of success in issues management, media relations, and clear writing?

The Communications Branch at the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (MHSTCI) is in search of a collaborative, inclusive, client-focused leader who can work with ministry colleagues, agency partners, and stakeholders to provide results-driven communications solutions that make sure the people of Ontario understand our programs and have access to the services they need.

The Senior Manager, Issues, Media Relations, and Writing Services is a leadership role in the Communications Branch, ensuring our communications and issues management strategies and tactics are innovative, smart, thoughtful, sensible, data driven and reflective of the diverse communities we serve in Ontario.

About us:

The MHSTCI Communications Branch provides expertise, advice and leadership on all matters related to communicating the ministry's programs and policies. Our work aligns with government's corporate communications objectives. The Communications Branch supports the Minister, Deputy Minister and senior ministry staff with responding and managing contentious issues, responding to questions from media, and evaluating and implementing communications and issues management plans and earned media strategies. The Communications Branch also advises and supports Minister, Parliamentary Assistant and Deputy Minister's participation in public events. The Communications Branch is also responsible for preparing and publishing media products such as news releases and backgrounders, event planning, correspondence, web and social media strategy and content, marketing, and research.

Why work for the Ontario Public Service

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Collegial and professional work culture.
• Career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas.
• On-the-job training to support your success in the role.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will:
• Provide strategic leadership to a team of communications professionals for media relations, issues management, earned media, writing services (e.g. correspondence) and digital communications (e.g. development of content for web, internet and intranet pages) for the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
• Manage the efficient and effective operation of the unit, including hiring, supervising the work of staff, and procuring services from outside suppliers

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) defines what it means to be a leader through the following expected behaviours and attributes:

• We commit to the responsibilities of being a leader by demonstrating authenticity, accountability and courage.
• We lead for the future by embracing positive disruption, a future mindset and by developing each other, every day.
• We are people centered by leading with a common purpose, being inclusive and driving people centered outcomes.

How do I qualify?

Strategic Leadership:

• You have demonstrated experience leading, engaging and motivating staff to deliver high-quality results with a commitment to customer service.
• You have a track record of success in managing multiple, large-scale or complex projects to resolve concerns and deliver results in an effective and timely manner.
• You are deadline-driven and able to deliver results in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

Technical Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of communications principles and practices to develop effective issues management, media relations, earned media and social and digital communications strategies.
• You have knowledge of issues management, media relations, earned media, journalism, research, surveying and polling techniques.
• You are familiar with the media, other influential personalities and opinion-makers (e.g. political leaders, lobbyists, activists, etc.)
• You understand digital communications trends, technologies, and tools and how to use them to support corporate communications and issues management.

Relationship Management and Political Acuity:

• You are a natural leader and customer-service driven with a high degree of tact, discretion and political acumen to handle confidential material and are comfortable working directly with Minister and Deputy Minister's Office staff and other executives.
• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and have experience anticipating and mitigating contentious issues.
• You have consultation and negotiation skills to coordinate build consensus among client ministries and to build and manage effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism

The OPS is an innovative, responsive and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership is a top priority for the OPS. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) on our leadership teams.

The OPS is collecting socio-demographic information to identify potential barriers and help underrepresented groups to achieve equity to senior leadership roles. We invite you to contribute to our efforts in building a more diverse, inclusive and accessible OPS by completing our voluntary survey, which will be provided to all applicants once the advertisement has closed.

The OPS is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 10, 2021 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.