Director of Communications – FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, representing the interests of cities and communities with the federal government.

Position: Director, Communications

Department: Communications

Major Purpose:

FCM is renewing its Communications Department. We are creating a new, dynamic communications function that places a priority on harnessing the power of the internet to engage our members, raise our profile and build support for our agenda.

FCM is the national voice of municipal government in Canada. Its purpose is to influence federal officials, programs, policies and resources, the media and the public, all with the objective of strengthening the role and capacities of municipal government to lead communities that are economically viable, socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable. To this end, FCM offers a range of services: research and policy development to reflect the national interests of municipal governments; advocacy to advance those interests in the political and public spheres; and programs, domestic and international, to support innovation, municipal capacity building and network development. Communicating our positions, and the relevance, breadth and depth of these services is central to achieving our purpose.

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director, Communications will hold strategic and operational responsibilities and work closely with all departments of the Federation. The Federation’s Policy and Research Department and program departments will create the knowledge and content, the Advocacy Department will formulate the political storylines and manage media strategies and relations, and the Communications Department will create the strategic foundations and provide the tools to achieve cross-departmental communications objectives.

The Director will lead development of FCM-wide communications strategies, plans and functions such as internet-based communications. She/he will lead in creating an integrated approach to member outreach and communications, and will provide communications support to departments.

The department also ensures quality control with respect to issues such as brand management, writing and editing; and unifying the message of FCM.

She/he will lead a multi-disciplinary team, manage a budget and participate in the collaborative, strategic environment necessary to advance FCM’s objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

* Helps define and build FCM’s principles, values and strategies (including the development and the implementation of FCM-wide communications as well as departmental policies and strategies, etc.) and ensures that the Communications department adheres to these and supports FCM’s strategic directions;

* Establishes a planning culture for our communications work, while also managing tight deadlines, and urgent, unforeseen needs as defined by other departments

* Creates an internet-based suite of communications mechanisms and tools to support all FCM needs. Once developed, assume responsibility for updating and ensuring on-going relevance of website content and other internet-based communications approaches;

* Develops and sustains membership communications and outreach strategies and approaches so that members are engaged in ways that support our objectives

* Ensures quality control by developing standardized approaches, policies and tools as required to ensure consistent messaging and branding; adopts best practices to enhance FCM’s image and credibility with key internal and external stakeholders; monitors results and evaluates impacts;

* Provides communications support to other departments, including preparation of speeches, articles, op eds etc;

* Develops and implements effective internal communications strategies to ensure understanding of: a) policies and procedures; b) policy positions and advocacy initiatives/successes; and c) program activities and promotions;

* Directs and manages a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, a budget, activities and all related administrative matters within the Communications Department.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

The successful candidate will be bringing a highly collaborative approach to her/his work, and will possess the following:

* University degree (Master’s degree is an asset) in communications, journalism or related field or an equivalent range of education and experience;

* Minimum 12 years of communications experience, with a minimum of five at the senior management level managing a team;

* Experience in developing and maintaining web based communications (web sites, social media) for purposes of engaging members, the media, the public and government;

* Experience in membership organizations, developing and implementing member outreach and engagement strategies and approaches for membership recruitment and retention, and grass-roots mobilization;

* Experience in one or more of these policy fields is an asset: public infrastructure, transportation, public finance, public safety and security, housing, immigration, environmental sustainability, economic development, aboriginal relations and public health;

* Possess a well-developed network in media, business and associations/interest groups, with a strong understanding of their functions and relevance to advocacy and public decision-making;

* Expertise in transition and change management would be an asset.

Language skills:

* The capacity to communicate in both official languages is mandatory.

Competencies

* Excellent strategic planning skills, with a clear understanding of the role of communications in achieving overall corporate objectives, all while ensuring that regular advocacy issues are aligned and operations function smoothly;

* Proven negotiation skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships and networks with key internal and external partners and stakeholders;

* The ability to lead, to motivate and to influence a highly educated and committed staff, to build strong teams that will allow each individual to meet and surpass expectations and to have those teams work well with other teams, primarily within FCM but also outside the organization;

* Superior written skills in either English or French with the ability to speak fluently in both official languages;

* A strong business sense, efficient and effective, coupled with strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and work under tight deadlines;

* Political sensitivity to the municipal world, the relevant institutions of the federal government and provincial governments, as well as regional issues and aspirations;

* The ability to listen to others, to take into account their views and to make complex and difficult decisions and recommendations;

* An innovative and creative approach to solving problems and finding solutions, with an inquisitive mind, and an ability to synthesize/position complex ideas;

* Resilience and adaptability to changing circumstances and an evolving environment;

* A constant commitment to those values that define a leader and a good manager, such as honesty, transparency, forthrightness, sensitivity to others and the highest standards of integrity in all areas, including human and financial management.

The benefits to joining the FCM team include summer hours (Fridays off between July 1st and Labour Day); office facilities located in the ByWard Market, FCM’s commitment to employee development and a competitive range of employee benefits and services. For additional information on this posting, or for further information on FCM, access our website at www.fcm.ca.

Please apply by mail, fax or email by March 7th, 2010 to: Human Resources, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 24 Clarence Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5P3 / Fax (613) 241-7440 / Email careers@fcm.ca.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however we will only contact those selected for an interview. All the applications will be kept in file for six months following the hiring.