Job Title: Director of Communications (Bilingual French/English)

Location: Moncton, New Brunswick

JL-7661

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, the City of Moncton prides itself on being a welcoming community and one of the best places in the country to work, live and play. It offers a perfect blend of waterside and urban charm, making it an ideal destination for both residents and visitors. Moncton has been recognized by Canadian Business Magazine as one of the top places to do business and MoneySense Magazine as one of the best places to buy real estate, reflecting its commitment to a diverse and dynamic business environment. With its growing multicultural roots, Moncton is dedicated to promoting bilingualism and ensuring the highest quality of life for its residents.

Meridia is proud to partner with the City of Moncton in search of a Director of Communications.

Role Description:

Reporting directly to the General Manager, Corporate Services, this position is accountable for the planning, organization, direction, co-ordination, and execution of all functions of the Communications Department. The incumbent will be responsible for developing strategies and programs to support the delivery of a wide range of municipal services. Issues management, key message development, public information, corporate branding, bilingual services, media relations, customer service, public engagement, emergency communications, and employee communications are all part of the role. The incumbent may also act as Corporate spokesperson on issues and leads the strategic development and execution of all communications to promote City of Moncton activities and initiatives and engage citizens and other interested parties.

Strategic Communications

• Responsible for the development, execution, and oversight of the City of Moncton's comprehensive communications and branding strategy.
• Ensures alignment of all communications efforts with the City's strategic vision, municipal growth priorities, and long-term goals.
• Supports the senior leadership team in the planning and execution of activities to foster relationships and establish strategic partnerships with internal and external parties to ensure that interactions are strategic, coordinated, and consistent.
• Leads all communications and engagement efforts and ensures that the City's messaging inspires confidence, transparency, and public trust.
• Manages high-profile public relations campaigns and fosters innovation in communications to enhance Moncton's reputation locally, nationally, and globally.
• Conducts environmental scans to identify, analyze, and provide recommendations on emerging issues that require a proactive response from the City.
• Anticipates, identifies, and strategically manages emerging issues and opportunities.
• Adheres to ethical standards as outlined by professional associations.
• Oversees the effective management of all aspects of the communications function, including management of the City's websites, external-facing materials, various content, and the City's social media channels.
• Provides strategic counsel and support to all municipal departments and City Council.

Bilingual Services

• Meets and delivers on the communication and informational needs of citizens and the public in both official languages (English and French).
• Manages the corporate-wide translation service.
• Assumes a leadership role and takes active measures to promote the goals and objectives of the corporate Policy on Official Languages.

Corporate Brand

• Contributes to the development of a professional corporate brand and appropriate corporate visibility. Ensures that all communication reflects the City's brand.
• Manages graphic design services.
• Maintains professional and consistent corporate identity. Oversees the corporate brand and sub-brands.
• Provides protocol liaison on civic activities, visits, and major events.
• Fosters strong relationships with various community groups and organizations.

Public Information

• Keeps the public informed and increases level of public and resident awareness of municipal activities.
• Liaises with the media, handles requests for interviews, statements, etc. in both official languages (English and French). Acts as a corporate spokesperson and Public Information Officer in the case of emergency management.
• Develops strong content including press releases, editorials, and corporate messaging, often on sensitive or controversial topics.
• Coordinates or oversees writing, editorial services and advertising needs for the municipality.

Employee Communications

• Coordinates employee communications activities to provide information on employee matters and municipal initiatives.
• Oversees the development of a comprehensive employee communications program.

Customer Service

• Oversees the delivery and coordination of corporate customer service.
• All other duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications:

As the ideal candidate, you possess a minimum of five (5) years' experience at a senior level in a corporate communications environment, preferably in the public sector. A minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience, along with a university degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business or Public Administration, or equivalent degree program combined with experience, is required. Proven experience and comfort navigating a fast-paced yet dynamic work environment with the ability to remain focused and organized, and to multitask and adapt quickly will be key to success in the role.

Knowledge/Job Skills

• Strong leadership and exceptional people management and mentorship skills.
• Advanced communications and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in writing technical documents as well as working on sensitive topics.
• Knowledge of budget procedures.
• Good negotiating skills.
• Excellent judgement and high degree of initiative.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deliverables concurrently.
• Demonstrated results leading and executing communications programs as part of an integrated team.
• Ability to oversee quality control of team assignments.
• Ability to work under pressure and pivot.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technology and its value in delivering effective communication strategies.
• Ability to operate as part of a team.

Judgment and Initiative

• Requires a high degree of initiative, judgment, and discretion, as errors will result in embarrassment and/or financial cost to the Corporation.
• Requires a self-starter with the ability to balance strategic thinking with plan development and execution.
• Must have high level of tact and persuasion when dealing with persons inside and outside of the Corporation.
• Must exercise tact and diplomacy when representing the department or the Corporation in discussion with a variety of contacts.
• Must have a keen ability to build and maintain effective relationships.

Language

• The ability to communicate fluently in both official languages (spoken, written, and reading) at a superior level is a requirement.

Technical

• Ability to effectively use various administrative programs (ex. Office 365).
• General knowledge of software applications used in a corporate environment.
• Understanding of communications measurement tools, tactics, and benchmarks, and how to link outputs back to organizational objectives.
• Must have and maintain a valid Class 5 driver's licence.

Contacts

• Fosters strong working relationships with various groups such as: employees; senior leadership team; Mayor and City Council; officials in external agencies, organizations, businesses, and associations; other levels of governments, and residents.
• The purpose is to persuade, position, or influence; to receive, give, or exchange information; to manage, coordinate, or facilitate activities.

Supervision

• Responsible for the direct supervision of all staff in the Communications Department.

Conditions of Work:

• Ability to work long hours and outside normal working hours when need arises, be available on short notice in the case of an emergency, and be able to cope with stressful conditions.

Additional Comments:

• Due to the confidential nature of many of the functions associated with this position, a high degree of discretion is required.

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online directly:

https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/17374913439240000008fsn

If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Neaves, Consultant, at [email protected] or Jeff Lanthier, Partner, at [email protected]. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.

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