Supervisor, Media & Issues Management

Job Summary

The Supervisor, Media and Issues Management oversees the daily operations and strategic direction of the media relations team, driving recruitment, training, and performance management. This role develops and implements comprehensive media strategies, manages media products and reporting, and leads proactive media engagement, including crisis and emergency communications. The lead fosters strong media and stakeholder relationships, manages budgets, and champions innovation and efficiency within a fast-paced environment. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the Media and Issues Management team's daily operations, focusing on recruitment, training, guiding, mentoring, and evaluating team members.
• Supervises day-to-day functions and activities of the Media and Issue management team, ensuring the successful delivery of projects, programs, and activities.
• Manages the development of the City's media relations strategies including trending, tracking and measurement (including a 3-year media relations strategy, and a comprehensive competitive media analysis).
• Conducts research and analysis on communication issues, providing strategic advice and recommendations.
• Oversees media products such as the City’s newsroom, media lists, call log, news release tracker and daily clips.
• Responds effectively to media inquiries and managing reputational issues.
• Manages the development of monthly and quarterly media reports.
• Develops, documents, and manages standard operating procedures, including media relations strategies, media tracking, and engagement practices.
• Manages media interactions, including proactive outreach, relationship building, content development, issues and crisis communications.
• Develops and implements the annual media training sessions with senior leaders and subject matter experts.
• Ensures City policies and guidelines related to media and alerts are updated, following best practices.
• Supports the Manager in guiding the team's daily activities and strategic implementation.
• Oversees the development and implementation of the City’s multilingual media strategy and the Diverse Communications Advertising program.
• Develops strong working relationships with the media and internal subject matter experts.
• Oversees the procurement of media monitoring services and products (including daily clips, reporting).
• Identifies opportunities to pitch the local, national, and international media with stories and angles.
• Provides appropriate strategic counsel (e.g. Mayor and Council, LT, ExLT, Managers, Project Leads, other levels of government, Committees of Council, resident/community groups).
• Plays a key role in Strategic Communications, including emergency management, and acts as a Communications Lead as part of the Strategic Communications & Initiatives emergency management response team.
• Manages budgets related to media and issues management.
• Fosters collaborative relationships with other leaders within Strategic Communications & Initiatives to align work plans and ensure effective delivery of communications projects.
• Provides regular updates to management, introduces innovative ideas for improving efficiency, and develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for monitoring team performance.
• Brings innovative, creative ideas and approaches to the team/projects and look for opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline processes through business cases and Lean initiatives.
• Collaborates with other departments/divisions to promote City programs and services, identifying opportunities to engage local, national, and international media.
• Participates in committees, manages new work assignments, reviews budgets, and contributes to the Division's annual business planning.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the City's Business Plan and Budget.
• Assesses media relations strategies' effectiveness, builds strong relationships with the media and internal experts, and offers strategic counsel across the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Prepares submissions for communication awards.
• Participates in an on-call rotation to provide media relations support for weekend and after-hours media enquiries, urgent issues, emergencies outside regular business hours.
• Handles other assigned duties.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, media, journalism or related field with a minimum of 5 years of related experience preferably with a focus on or experience with media relations, content creation and storytelling and emergency management practices.
• A proven leader with strong leadership skills, able to motivate teams and foster a conducive work environment.
• Detail-oriented, capable of working in a fast-paced environment and effectively adapt to change.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration skills to communicate with employees within the organization and external partners.
• Strong understanding of the needs and workings of online, print, radio, and TV media at a local, Regional and National level to both mainstream and multicultural media.
• Ability to seek out news emerging and current trends.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems without constant direction or consultation from the Manager.
• Takes accountability for their decisions and actions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, skilled at writing for different audiences.
• Exhibits excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization capabilities including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong writing and editing skills across various formats, including content for media and social media channels.
• Reliable and trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information.
• Committed to personal growth, embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and respecting diverse viewpoints.
• Effective communicator, skilled in persuasive, influencing and creative problem-solving.
• Comprehensive understanding of strategic issues, corporate priorities, and communications goals.
• Knowledgeable in accessibility legislation and standards including AODA, OHSA, and MFIPPA.
• Experienced in applying EDI principles, plain language, and CP Style writing standards.
• Understanding and ability to apply IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) and CPRS (Canadian Public Relations Society) guiding standards and principles.
• Tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work flexible work hours including weekends (as needed).