Senior Communications Advisor (12 Months Contract)

at  County of Grande Prairie No 1

Company Description
The County of Grande Prairie builds on its natural environment and the entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens to provide an unmatched quality of life and opportunity for all. We offer a collaborative and dynamic workplace where our values of Trustworthy, Transparent, Respectful, and Collaborative guide our conduct and contribute to a healthy culture.
Job Description

THIS POSITION IS A TEMPORARY FULL-TIME ROLE FOR 12 MONTHS.

Join our growing team in Grande Prairie, Alberta!
Creative, strategic and committed to excellence? If that’s you, we want your resume!
As a Senior Communications Advisor with the County of Grande Prairie, you’ll work with employees, community members, stakeholders and elected officials to build and implement strategic communications plans using a variety of creative tools. As a Senior Communications Advisor on our team of seven communications and marketing professionals, you will have the chance to specialize in specific service areas. This means you can focus your expertise and make a significant impact in areas that align with your interests and strengths.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated strategic communications and public consultation plans that effectively support the corporate business plan.
• Anticipate and manage change, while generating an understanding of politically and organizationally sensitive initiatives.
• Produce tactics that effectively execute communications and public consultation plans.
• Develop messaging on complex corporate issues, including sensitive and confidential matters.
• Establish and analyze metrics using a variety of analytical tools to measure the effectiveness of the plans/products.
• Advise and make strategic communications recommendations to Senior Leadership and County Council when the organization is faced with real and potential issues.
• Participate in an integrated approach to crisis communications.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the media through proactive and reactive media relations.
• Coach staff and Council as spokespeople to communicate key messages and anticipate and respond to public concerns.
• Provide strategic consultation and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Provide expertise and advice to fellow Communications and Marketing staff on a daily basis.
• Build respectful and productive relationships inside and outside the organization.
• Display accountability by recommending and working within approved budgets, identifying issues and corresponding solutions, understanding client needs and reporting progress on outcomes.

You have a post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, marketing or a related field, with a minimum of three to five years of experience in a communications role. You’ve worked in a fast-paced environment such as an agency or in a client facing role within an organization. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may also be considered.

• Experience in a municipal government environment considered an asset.
• Membership with IABC or CPRS are considered an asset.
• Record of significant accomplishments in developing and managing effective, high impact communications plans that achieved desired outcomes are considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Canadian Press Style guidelines.
• Advanced ability to write and edit communications plans and materials targeted at different audiences (e.g., senior management, employees).
• Information Officer and Incident Command System certification is an asset.
• Public engagement strategy and tactics training.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver professional presentations.
• Exceptional writing, spelling, proofreading and editing skills.
• Excellent organizational, research and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently manage workload.
• Creative, critical and strategic thinking.
• A great sense of humor