Manager, Media Relations and Corporate Communications – United Way Ottawa

Competition #: 2009 – 14
Posting Period: March 23, 2009 to April 6, 2009

Department: Communications & Marketing

Unit: Communications and Public Relations

Position Status: Permanent

Position Summary and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director, Communications, the Manager, Media Relations and Corporate Communications plans, develops, implements and manages comprehensive media relations activities relating to engaging local and, occasionally, national media and other significant stakeholders in the activities and plans of United Way/Centraide Ottawa (UW/CO) in order to promote, enhance and protect the position and profile of the organization, and to showcase UW/CO and its work in the community. This position provides strategic communications counsel and support to the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC), Success By 6, and other initiatives such as the Leadership Table on Homelessness and project s.t.e.p.

This position contributes at a strategic level as a highly creative resource to develop, implement, evaluate and refine media and corporate communications plans which help to position United Way/Centraide Ottawa with its donors, program partners, agencies, volunteers and other critical stakeholders.

A complete job description is available upon request.

Qualifications:

• University degree in communications, public relations or journalism and/or equivalent applied knowledge
  Ongoing training and updating of knowledge and skills in media relations and communications
  Membership in International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) or similar professional development association
• 5+ years experience in communications or journalism in a similar role in a highly-visible organization where communications play a critical role in achieving organization success
• 5+ years experience in managing the development and execution of communications and media relations plans, aimed at a wide range of audiences, both internal and external
• 5+ years experience researching, writing and producing a wide range of communications materials including key messages, scripts, backgrounders, Q&As and fact sheets
• 5+ years experience working with influential stakeholders including media and senior leaders from public and private sectors
• 3 + years experience working on issues (preferably social issues) in which municipal, provincial and/or federal governments play a critical role
• Demonstrated track record of innovative and measurable media relations achievements throughout career
• Highly efficient, multi-tasker, detail-oriented, self-starter who can work well within a team, effectively managing multiple priorities to deadline.
• Strong understanding of the principles and practices of media relations, communications and marketing
  Superior writing and editing skills
• Strong understanding of municipal, provincial and federal government and political context
  Excellent conceptualizing and strong research and analytical skills
• Demonstrated understanding of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
  Ability to uphold a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills and relationship building skills
• Strong project and time management skills leading to an ability to balance and manage competing interests and ambiguities
• Flexibility, tact, diplomacy
• Strong listening skills
• Ability to bring competing interests together productively to build consensus and to plan and execute communications activities
• Solid presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Public Relations agency experience is an asset
• Bilingualism in both official languages required

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume in confidence by April 6, 2009 to employment@unitedwayottawa.ca. Please quote the competition number when submitting your resume.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.