This position leads the delivery of Sturgeon County’s corporate communications program. The role involves providing leadership, vision, and direction to align with corporate strategies, brand alignment, and to maximize service delivery. The Manager develops and executes operational plans, oversees budgets, maintains a policy framework, and advances effective public and community relations. Creating an open and positive working environment, setting clear expectations for staff, and managing the corporate communications team effectively is critical to the success of this position. This role oversees the creation of communication strategies, prepares communications for the office of Council and the Chief Administrative Officer, monitors issues affecting the County and addresses emergent issues. Additionally, this role involves managing the County’s media relations, assumes a Public Information Officer role during emergencies for crisis communications, oversees special events, and is accountable for social media programs designed to enhance Sturgeon County's corporate identity and reputation.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management (20%)

• Leads corporate initiatives, department projects, and strategic objectives by fostering engaged teams to successfully executive project deliverables. 
• Plans, executes, and maintains department business plans and active participation in corporate and strategic planning and reporting. Sets annual and mid-term goals.  
• Participates in strategic objectives throughout the County with growth and development at the forefront for a sustainability County community. 
• Provides leadership, vision, and direction to align with corporate strategies to maximize service delivery. 
• Develops and manages operational plans and the longer-term direction for the function and activities of the department, as well as participates in the development of policies and standards, in accordance with the priorities of the organization. 
• Develops and prepares annual operating and capital budgets in accordance with the objectives and policies of Sturgeon County. Monitors and controls the expenditure of funds in accordance with the approved budgets. 
• Undertakes process reviews, documents processes, and communicates processes with intent to achieve improved Operational Excellence.
• Maintains effective public and stakeholders relations; champions a positive organizational image. 
• Ensures compliance with safety legislation and County Health and Safety Management System.  
• Develops executive briefings, request for decisions, and presentations to leadership and Council. 

People Leadership (20%) 

• Creates an open, positive working environment to stimulate open discussion, which includes both in office, remote, or hybrid employees.  
• Invests time in managing and developing people through career planning and professional development. Provides insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback, coaching, and guidance. 
• Sets clear expectations, monitors, evaluates, and conducts annual performance reviews. 
• Sets and delegates broad work responsibilities for direct reports and manages through general oversight.
• Follows HR policies and procedures, including all performance management expectations.
• Makes hiring decisions within approved roles, working in collaboration with the HR team. 
• Manages, oversees, and leads the corporate communications team. 

 Communications Strategies (20%)

• Ensures all communication from the County promotes a positive image of Sturgeon County and informs the organization and community of the services and programs provided by the municipality. 
• Oversees the development, maintenance, and measurement of all Sturgeon County communications programs, strategies, tools and develops capacity across the organization. 
• Provides specialist input into strategic planning and implementation, public relations, branding, marketing, and issues management. 
• Oversees the creation, implementation, and oversight of communications programs to promote Sturgeon County’s programs and services through various media, including publications, enhance digital and social media, and events. 

 Communication Implementation Support (15%) 

• Prepares communications for Council; advises on best practices to promote Council’s goals and priorities as identified in the Strategic Plan and provides support in delivering key messages to the County’s stakeholders. 
• Provides information that is timely, accurate, clear, accessible, and responsive. 
• Monitors and identifies issues affecting the County and develops communication plans and key messages in response to emerging issues and reputation management. 
• Liaises with departments, external vendors, and media to build and maintain positive relationships.  
• Advises managers on communications best practices, emerging issues, appropriate tools for each situation, and appropriate responses. 
• Provides communications guidance, culture of two-way communication excellence, and assistance to County staff members. 

 Media and Public Information (10%) 

• Serves as the primary media contact for the County; establishes and maintains appropriate relationships with media. Prepares and/or approves media releases and statements for the County. 
• Assumes a Public Information Officer role in media and public relations during emergencies, coordinating clear, effective, and timely communications, providing direction and advice on crisis communications. 

Other Related Duties (15%)

• Oversees special events and social media programs designed to highlight and enhance Sturgeon County’s corporate identity. 
• Carries out special projects as required. 
• Adheres to the applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System. 

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE 

Required:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or Public Administration. 
• Experience managing multiple projects in a busy, proactive, and reactive environment, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant, related, and progressive experience, including in a management or supervisory role and/or with training in supervision or leadership. Preference given to those with more experience. 
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
  • community engagement
  • budget and project management, and
  • marketing.
• Understanding the general principles of motivating, leading, and supervising staff. 
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills with a proven ability to effectively influence others, with the ability to discuss and reach an agreement on issues in an objective, logical and sensible manner.  
• Ability to proactively identify and analyze complex situations/issues and in a large multi-stakeholder organization to recommend sound solutions to that are based on experience, research and understanding of the organizational goals and priorities. 
• Ability to regularly engage and collaborate with stakeholders to facilitate open and thought-provoking discussions to address current and future needs of the County.
• Excellent public relations, written and verbal communication skills; and expertise in dealing tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a visionary leader that develops and fosters a community of collaboration and teamwork promoting innovation and continuous improvement. 
• Ability to manage change effectively and proactively. 
• Ability to deal with confidential information with a high degree of diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a team environment or independently. 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.  
• Ability to read, research, create, interpret, and explain policies, directives, procedures, bylaws, meeting minutes, and relevant work-related legislation. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of office products.

Assets:

• Accreditation with one or more of the following are assets:
  • the International Association of Business Communicator (IABC), 
  • Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), or 
  • National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). 
• Membership/involvement with the following professional organizations are assets: 
  • IABC 
  • CPRS
  • Alberta Municipal Communicators Network  
  • NAGC
  • Society of Local Government Managers (CLGM)
• Experience within a public sector or not-for-profit organization is preferred.