Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Engagement

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Senior Manager, Corporate Communication & Engagement (CC&E) is a senior professional which leads the CC&E division and  effectively supports the organization by providing expert advice, strategies and leadership on communications issues, and coordinating, developing and delivering highly-effective communications services, policies and standards. This senior leadership role provides and leads a variety of corporate communications services, including: strategic communications planning; content development; brand and identity; corporate media relations; intergovernmental relations; internal and external corporate communication; crisis communication and issues management; website content and standards; corporate social media; community engagement and special events.

Key Accountabilities/Position Outcomes

• Provides expert advice, strategies, leadership, support and materials on communication issues to the CAO, CRD Senior Management, and elected officials; and liaises with CRD Directors, staff, outside agencies, interest groups, and the media to maximize organizational communication effectiveness. 
• Provides leadership and direction to a team of communications and engagement professionals to deliver effective, coordinated corporate communications. 
• Plans and develops standards, policies, protocols and guidelines for CC&E. 
• Oversees communication and engagement strategies across digital and traditional channels, and advises the organization on emerging trends, technologies, and effective engagement practices. 
• Actively leading the CC&E team, is accountable for and provides senior leadership, advice, strategy and support on key divisional areas including strategic communications planning; content development; brand and identity; corporate media relations; intergovernmental relations; internal and external corporate communication; crisis communication and issues management; website content and standards; corporate social media; community engagement and special events: 
• Strategic Communications Planning: Develops and delivers clear, effective communication strategies for internal and external audiences aligned with CRD goals. 
• Content Development: Plans and creates audience focused content that communicates CRD initiatives and priorities clearly and effectively. 
• Brand and Identity: Develops and oversees brand and visual guidelines to ensure consistent use across all CRD materials. 
• Media Relations: Leads proactive media engagement and response to ensure consistent, accurate coverage of CRD priorities and initiatives. 
• Reputational Management: Develops strategies to shape and influence the CRD’s reputation with a goal of having public and organizational support for CRD services and initiatives. 
• Internal Communications: Plans and implements internal communications strategies and frameworks to support transparency, collaboration, and employee engagement across the CRD. 
• Intergovernmental Relations: Proactively supports the CAO and Board Chair in interactions, collaborations and negotiations with and between different levels of government (local, provincial, federal, first nations). 
• Supports the CAO’s Office in the development and implementation of the Corporate Advocacy Strategy. 
• Crisis Communication and Issues Management: Develops protocols and coordinates crisis communications, providing guidance to leadership and staff and ensuring consistent messaging to the public, media, and employees. 
• Social Media: Oversees strategic use of social media channels to share CRD information, monitor emerging issues, and support positive public engagement. 
• Website: Manages website content and standards, working with staff and IT to ensure accessible, consistent, and effective online communications. 
• Marketing: conceives, develops and implements paid media campaigns to increase awareness and support CRD objectives. 
• Community Engagement:  Facilitates community engagement initiatives, ensuring consistent, credible public participation processes and tools are used to gather public input and support CRD decisions. 
• Evaluates communication strategies using appropriate metrics, data and feedback to strengthen impact and inform future planning. 
• Oversees financial planning and budget management for the CC&E division to support strategic objectives. 

Additional Information

This position is responsible for leading emergency communications and participating in the Corporate Communications and Engagement emergency on-call rotation, ensuring timely and responsive support during assigned periods. 

Qualifications

Certifications

Role Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge in Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Public Relations, and Community Relations. 
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to lead others in the areas of strategic communication planning, content development, brand and identity, media relations, internal communications, crisis communications and issues management, social media, website management, marketing, community engagement, and communications evaluation and measurement.. 
• Excellent public presentation and communication skills (written and spoken), 
• Strong knowledge and abilities in interpersonal, group, and organizational dynamics. 
• Excellent leadership and customer service skills. 
• Candidate must possess functional self-supporting computer literacy. 
• Strong understanding of government protocol, relationships, roles, services, and responsibilities of B.C. local government, including those of regional districts, and other government partners including First Nations. 
• Must possess broad corporate communications experience in a number of organizations in the private sector, non-profit, crown corporation, or public sectors.

Leadership Profile

CRD Leaders are champions for creating an accountable, high performance, service oriented organization that makes a difference in our community. They pay attention to shifts and trends in an ever-changing and complex environment and think strategically to serve residents, businesses and local governments today while developing a sustainable organization for the future. The following is a leadership summary for this position. 

Leadership Level 5 (L5) 

Leaders at this level generally provide leadership and direction to multiple functional areas through lower level managers.  Operating with a high level of autonomy and exercising considerable judgment, these leaders develop operational and financial objectives and they provide strategic direction and deploy resources to ensure business objectives are achieved.  They leverage relationships with internal and external clients to identify business issues and support business needs, and use in-depth functional and business expertise to direct the resolution of highly complex or unusual business problems that cross functional lines.  

While CRD Leaders are accountable to all Leadership Competencies, the competencies listed below have particular relevance to this position. Click here  for a complete definition of our Leadership Levels and Competencies.

Leadership Competencies