Manager Communications - Elections Communications and Outreach Manager

Requisition ID: 42391 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function

The Elections Communications and Outreach Manager manages the communications and outreach for the municipal elections and the City Clerk’s Office during non-election periods. They are responsible for driving content generation and distribution across all platforms including digital and traditional media channels, leading best practices in media relations and news sharing, proactive issues management and external communications planning. 

The Manager leads in the development and implementation of proactive communication programs and strategies from both a corporate and client group perspective. The position works closely with the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerks, the Chief Election Officer and the Chief Communications Officer and other communications centres of expertise to deliver, implement and support an integrated and complementary approach to all communication efforts within the City related to the municipal election.

The scope of the work includes:

• Development of a strategic communications and outreach plan to help achieve the desired levels of voter participation;
• Audience segmentation and analysis to support improved voter turnout in under-represented groups e.g. youth, new citizens, those with English as a second language;
• Develop and confirm visual approach and design, and key messaging, for all materials;
• Develop and coordinate all marketing materials including print and online advertising, candidate materials, voting stickers, posters, brochures, promotional items, etc.;
• Develop and manage advertising campaigns that focus on election awareness and engagement;
• Develop and coordinate all digital communications including web and social;
• Develop and coordinate all media announcements and materials;
• Manage communications and engagement-related budgets for City Clerk’s Office and the municipal election;
• Manage a wide range of sensitive, emerging and high profile issues, and coordinate with the Election team, City Leadership team and legal services to respond to issues in a timely manner.

The position reports to both the City Clerk and the Chief Election Officer and liaises closely with the Chief Communications Officer. Other key contacts are the Election Office portfolio leads, the organization’s senior executives, client departments, communications and engagement staff and outside contractors. The position is the single point of contact for, and provides strategic advice on, strategic communications and outreach for the municipal election and the City Clerk’s Office.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops, builds and maintains excellent working relationships and understanding of the various internal clients and stakeholders;
• Acts as a strategic partner to the assigned business units, leads the development of communications and outreach strategies addressing complex priorities and issues;
• Ensures that team members understand municipal election priorities and goals and how their roles link to these priorities and goals;
• Brokers/coordinates required communication services from communications centres of expertise or external sources as required;
• Leads the procurement process in selecting an advertising agency to assist in the development of a non-partisan advertising campaign;
• Provides leadership, direction and supervision in the development and execution of communications plans and initiatives in support of municipal election priorities and City Clerk’s Office initiatives;
• Proactively builds, develops, maintains and manages strong working relationships within the teams and across the organization;
• Directs integrated communication strategies and execution and uses data to drive decision-making based on evaluating successes/learnings and strategic insights;
• Effectively manages budgets and processes to successfully execute initiatives in a timely manner;
• Develops and oversees the design and implementation of complex and specialized corporate communications initiatives;
• Provides leadership and supervision to staff, including hiring and termination, discipline, performance and attendance management, coaching, training and development. Inspires, motivates, guides and directs all staff
  • Provides coaching on a timely basis; develops goals and expectation, identifies training and development for subordinate staff
  • Meets with employees to resolve disputes and administers appropriate collective agreements, hears grievance meetings at step 1 of the grievance process and in consultation with superiors has the authority to resolve grievances at that step
  • Establishes and maintains communication with staff to discuss policies, administrative issues and share information, program plans and problem-solve around difficulties encountered working in a challenging environment 
  • Setting performance goals and coaching employees to achieve desired results.
• Manages cross-functional teams to execute the communications strategies and plans for municipal election initiatives including the development of tools and tactics;
• Effectively utilizes all existing communication tools and tactics and implements new methods as well, to ensure that messages are communicated effectively;
• Proactively identifies emerging issues and opportunities on a regular basis, and recommends appropriate communications approaches;
• Responsible for the development, handling and distribution of sensitive information to senior management in a timely manner;
• Fosters trust and credibility through ongoing, clear, accurate, open, timely and two-way communication with external audiences
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related subject.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in progressively senior communications roles in strategic communications, integrated marketing or internal communications
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management and budget management required.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledgeable about local government operations and processes
• Considerable knowledge of digital content management systems
• Self-starter and critical thinker
• Excellent communicator, excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Advanced in expertise with corporate and media issues management
• Ability to diplomatically ask questions, challenge and suggest alternative strategies and approaches
• Ability to developing and executing strategic communications plans
• Ability to see the big picture and anticipate emerging issues and trends, and then tailor communications tactics to address them
• Ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of Search and Social Media Marketing, and how it affects the larger online marketing strategy
• Ability to demonstrate how to communicate effectively, foster high standards, coach, inspire and manage multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, performance-focused environment using excellent interpersonal, visual design, presentation and written skills
• Ability to manage, prioritize, and execute multiple projects and teams
• Strong and valued individual contributor as well as an integral collaborative member of the communications team
• Outstanding at relationship-building and providing advice to senior executives
• Resourceful thinker with the ability to make decisions and organize thoughts under time and budget constraints
• Ability to speak a second language is an asset
• Municipal election experience is an asset

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: City Clerk's Office (1060) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: November, 2024 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-091: $111139 to $138924 per annum

Application Close: October 24, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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