Description

The City of Yorkton is seeking a dynamic and strategic Communications Manager to lead and elevate our internal and external communications efforts. This is a unique opportunity to play a critical leadership role in shaping the City’s public image, stakeholder relationships, and strategic communications initiatives. This position reports to the City Clerk. The Communications Manager serves as the City’s lead communication advisor, responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating effective communications strategies aligned with the City of Yorkton’s strategic priorities. This role supports the Mayor, Council, City staff, and the community through proactive public relations, stakeholder engagement, and brand management.

This is a 3-year Term position.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

Provide ongoing coaching and consultation to City staff on communication best practices.
Foster a culture of clear, consistent, and strategic communication across all departments.

Strategic Communications

Execute the City’s internal and external communication plans.
Proactively respond to emerging issues and new initiatives requiring communication support.

Stakeholder Relations & Political Advocacy

Identify and support political advocacy opportunities on behalf of the City.
Prepare briefing materials and communication strategies for key interactions.

Support for Mayor & Council

Assist in preparing for public appearances, speeches, and community events.
Coordinate promotional materials and messaging in collaboration with elected officials.

Primary Activities:

Public Relations

Develop and implement media relations strategies, crisis communication plans, and marketing materials (including video content).
Serve as the City’s primary media contact and spokesperson in the absence of the Mayor or City Manager.
Manage content and engagement across all municipal social media channels.
Coordinate messaging across departments and ensure alignment with the City’s strategic plan.
Advise senior leadership on public and media relations strategies and community perceptions.

Content Development

Oversee the creation of brochures, advertisements, reports, social media content, and other promotional materials.
Lead the management and enhancement of the City’s website to ensure usability, accessibility, and quality.
Provide guidance and support to departments on promotional campaigns and public engagement efforts.
Maintain a city photo and video bank, and manage communications for construction and infrastructure projects using multimedia tools.
Coordinate advertising across print, radio, digital platforms (excluding Gallagher Centre programming).

Communications Planning

Develop, implement, and maintain internal and external communications plans that reflect the City’s strategic direction.
Lead brand management, community relations, public consultation strategies, and special event promotion.

Communications Coaching

Provide strategic advice and coaching to staff, Council, and Mayor for media relations, interviews, public meetings, and written communication materials.

Relationship Management

Build and maintain effective relationships with elected officials, community stakeholders, business leaders, and provincial/municipal communication counterparts.
Organize and support key annual events for Council and the City.

Business Planning & Budget Management

Develop and oversee the communications business plan and operating budget.
Ensure efficient advertising purchases and consistent branding.
Co-manage the Mayor’s Promotional Budget and lead communications components of website redevelopment projects.

Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in communications, preferably in a municipal or government/political environment.
Strong understanding of public sector communications, media relations, and community engagement.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with web content management systems, social media management tools, and visual content creation.
Experience working with elected officials and managing high-stakes communications preferred