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Reporting to the General Manager, Corporate Services, the Director of Corporate Communications oversees and manages all facets of corporate communications, marketing and branding for the City of Fort Saskatchewan. The position serves as advisor and consultant in communication and marketing issues to Leadership Team, City Council and relevant staff. The position directly supervises the City’s Corporate Marketing Officer, the Corporate Communications Officer and the Corporate Webmaster. The reputation of the corporation is vitally important and it is in large part the responsibility of the Corporate Communications Director to ensure accurate, fair, meaningful and timely information is shared. This position is the main contact for local and regional media, sometimes dealing with complex and sensitive issues. The position requires strong writing and editing skills and a good working knowledge of website functionality and graphic design.
Specific accountabilities for the Director position include providing advice and assistance to Leadership Team and City Council; ensuring proper use of visual identity and formulate policies and procedures for other communication mediums such as email and written documents, the website and social media; assisting and monitoring all city departments with their communications requirements; and assisting with environmental scanning to forecast emerging issues and, if necessary, mitigate the negative impacts of issues and maintain confidence in the organization. The Director leads the Corporate Communications team to create and execute effective Corporate Communications and Marketing Plans, and assists the Corporate Marketing Officer, Corporate Communications Officer and Corporate Webmaster in their duties and responsibilities. This position initiates, develops, and delivers appropriate communications strategies to meet the business objectives of the corporation. The Director acts as the Emergency Public Information Officer as part of the Emergency Management Team when required, and oversees all aspects of City advertising and communications in accordance with the Corporate Communications Policy. The position serves as organizational lead and provides coordination for public engagement activities for the City, and participates in workplace safety initiatives and complies with all City policies, work procedures, and relevant directives in the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code.
The ideal candidate will possess a University Degree in the area of Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or a related field. This position requires a professional designation of IABC/CPRS or another professional association. Those working toward obtaining professional designations would be considered. A minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in communications or public relations with three (3) to five (5) years at the senior level is required. This position requires a broad knowledge of municipal government and knowledge of the requirements of FOIP, as it relates to the appropriate release of information, and the Municipal Government Act as it relates to statutory requirements for public notice of meetings and other requirements of the Act. Budget preparation and supervisory experience is necessary. Specialized skills required to perform this function include: strong writing skills in a variety of formats (speeches, newsletters, advertising, scripts, and website), thorough and current understanding of communications practices, issues management, media relations, stakeholder consultation, and marketing. The Communications Director must be able to write in language that is meaningful and easily understandable by a variety of identified audiences.Hours of Work: 37.5 per week; Monday to Friday.
Fort Saskatchewan, home to more than 27,000 people, is a vibrant economic and cultural hub located in Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4, just 15 minutes northeast of Edmonton. The City of Fort Saskatchewan proudly manages recreation, culture and historic amenities including a performing arts theatre and a fitness centre within the Dow Centennial Centre and the historic 1875 – 1885 NWMP Fort Representation in the heart of downtown. Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Fort Saskatchewan boasts more than 80 km of paved trails along with many natural areas for residents to explore. As a City, we believe in diversity and inclusion and are working toward creating a city where all residents are respected and have a sense of belonging.
The City of Fort Saskatchewan thanks all applicants for their interest and advises those applicants under consideration will be contacted.
