Communications Consultant II (Media) Full-time Job

This position develops communication strategies that support City of Saskatoon strategic goals and objectives. The position also monitors internal and external media relations procedures and processes to ensure consistency, timely and accurate release of information to the media and public and supports issues and crisis communication

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develops, manages, implements, and evaluates long and short-term communication, marketing, and related media relations strategies for assigned civic departments and divisions.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Creates media advisories and provides support to the department for the development news releases or public service announcements as needed.
5. Manages day-to-day media inquiries for the City of Saskatoon including prioritizing and coordinating incoming media requests, directing to appropriate media spokesperson, and assisting with preparing responses. Troubleshoots and problem solves media and communication related issues and escalates as necessary.
6. Tracks media inquiries and attendance, monitors media coverage and assists in the preparation of an annual report on media tracking and coverage.
7. Manages and updates relevant resources for use in the development of news releases, public service announcements and advisories.
8. Provides support to the Media Relations Manager for media relations on matters that are confidential and are of a sensitive nature.
9. Participates in the coordination of crisis communications.
10. Acts as the Media Relations Manager as required.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Requirements

• 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 journalism or a public relations/communications role including progressive experience in strategic communications. A combination of work experience as a journalist within a corporate and/or government work environment would be considered an asset.
• Membership, or eligibility for membership, in the Canadian Public Relations Society or the International Association of Business Communicators, accreditation preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and decision-making for media, issues or crisis communications under strict time constraints or while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships within the organization and media.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in the use of a smart phone and computer using word-processing and social media programs and software.

Additional Requirements

Must be available to be on-call.