Your New Career Starts Right Here

• An undergraduate degree in Public Relations, Communications or Journalism from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Eight to ten years of recent progressive experience in a high-profile organization where communications and media relations play a critical role.

Reporting to the General Manager of Corporate Services, the Communications Manager provides leadership to advance the strategic communications initiatives of Rocky View County, with emphasis on internal and public-facing communications; media relations; and executive-level strategic guidance and support. The Communications Manager is responsible for liaising with external organizations including government, media, consultants, and member organizations with the goal of establishing and maintaining professional, consistent, and timely two-way communications with all County stakeholders.

This role requires a seasoned communicator with a minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the planning and execution of strategic communications initiatives across print, electronic and broadcast media. This position requires excellence in written, verbal and social media communications, combined with robust project management, organizational, and team-building skills.

The successful candidate will lead and mentor a team of skilled communications professionals in developing and implementing short and long-term communications strategies; in managing the County’s brand assets; and in managing the daily operations of a fast paced and energetic department. Through value-based actions and a motivating leadership style, the successful candidate will be accountable in managing overall team performance and in building strong internal and external relationships.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Development of communications for municipal long-term strategic plans and priority initiatives.
• Ensuring consistent and professional use of the County’s master brand and sub-brand assets.
• Mitigation of the impacts of sensitive issues through timely, consistent, and factual information.
• Provision of executive-level strategic counsel relating to issues management and communications support.
• Project management and section workload facilitation, and mentoring of the Communications team.
• Professional representation at a municipal, inter-municipal, regional, or provincial level.
• Planning, development, and implementation of internal and external communications strategies.
• Development and management of policies and strategies to achieve organizational objectives.
• Preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the annual Communications budget.

Core Competencies:

• A versatile and highly developed strategic communications skill set with a bias for action.
• An ability to mentor and positively influence a diverse and collaborative environment.
• The ability to work proactively, independently, or as part of a team.
• Unsurpassed attention to detail, and the ability to develop engaging communications materials.
• Well-developed planning and organizational skills.
  Strong and intuitive communications and relationships building skills.

Skills and Aptitudes:

• A minimum 5 years of experience leading and managing a communications team.
• Experience with government, media relations and social media strategies and implementation.
• Strong facilitation skills, able to obtain input from a diverse range of stakeholders with different needs and agendas.
• The ability to write, edit and revise content, structure, and format of written material, with outstanding proofreading and copy editing skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a highly flexible writing style.
• A proven track record of measurable communications achievements.
  Competency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Adobe InDesign and Illustrator.
• A strong understanding of communications and customer service principles.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their résumé and cover letter through rockyview.jobs no later than Sunday, November 25, 2012. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada, and only those selected for interview will be contacted.