Job Summary

This position develops and directs internal and external communication initiatives and strategies that support City of Saskatoon strategic goals and objectives.  

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops, manages, implements, and evaluates long and short-term communication, marketing, and related media relations strategies for assigned civic departments and divisions.
• Acts as a consultant to departmental management and other representatives to identify and resolve public and internal communications and related media issues for assigned projects.
• Identifies emerging issues and develops and implements effective and timely communication strategies.
• Plans and directs special events, news conferences, and related programs for the public, employees, media, other orders of government, and other stakeholders.
• Creates media advisories and provides support to the department for the development news releases or public service announcements as needed.
• Analyzes emerging communications trends and recommends appropriate strategies for their use.
• Participates in the coordination of crisis communications.
• Moderates messaging and strategies for the corporate and social media sites.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree in marketing, public relations, communications, journalism or a related field, or an equivalent related diploma combined with years of experience.
• Four to six years’ related experience in a public relations, communications or journalism role, including experience in project management and strategic communications.
• Membership, or eligibility for membership, in the Canadian Public Relations Society or the International Association of Business Communicators, accreditation preferred.
• Knowledge of website and social media design and management.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and decision-making under strict time constraints and competing priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships within the organization and community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive information.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in the use of a smart phone and computer using word-processing, desktop publishing and social media programs and software.