Senior Public Affairs Consultant

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Toronto / Simcoe Pl ON

Reporting into the Director Public Affairs, the successful candidate will identify, respond and manage contentious, politically sensitive or broad impact issues in the public realm, and provide communications advise that has significant impact on executive level decision-making. Recommend communications strategies and promote the image and credibility of the WSIB. Provide public relations and reputation management expertise to influence the perception of WSIB policies/programs by the public, the media, stakeholders, and government. Build partnerships with stakeholders and the media to enable enhanced productivity and relationships.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Manage media inquiries and provide timely, accurate and strategic responses to protect the WSIB reputation and image in the media. This includes acting as expert resource on media relations to senior management and staff for effective, proactive and reactive media management in support of business initiatives, outcomes and the WSIB brand.

Develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, media outlets, constituency offices and relevant government areas by:

• proactively promoting visibility, reputation, WSIB brand and message through broad strategies and tangible results
• promoting education and awareness of WSIB policies, programs and initiatives within stakeholder community
• as public representative of the WSIB, coordinating and attending internal and external stakeholder events, alone or with senior leaders

Coordinate collaborative issues management process with individuals and branches across the WSIB to ensure ongoing information flow, and manage approval of issues communication materials. This includes:

• responding to complex, contentious and emerging issues and forecasting potential issues while understanding implications for reputation of the WSIB
• coordinating the preparation of issues notes, House Book notes and communications briefing materials and ensuring accuracy of information and consistency with WSIB policy and current initiates
• preparing responses to information requests originating from media coverage, question period, petitions, statements in the Legislature, other levels of government, stakeholders, reports, studies
• monitoring government policies and programs for WSIB implications
• monitoring and advising on legislative proceedings (question period, petitions, statements) to inform execution of issues management and communications strategies and executive level decision making.

Provide strategic advice and expertise on the content, strategic direction and messaging of communications plans, initiatives, etc., regarding WSIB by:

• leading the development, production, and distribution of information materials and collateral items for targeted audiences
• developing and executing pro-active reputation management strategy through event planning and coordination (e.g., presentations, conferences, speaking events)

Lead the research, monitoring, identification and analysis of the WSIB’s strategic position on issues with direct impact on programs and initiatives. This includes:

• initiating impact assessments and preventative communications and issues management strategies to evaluate emerging issues and trends
• analyzing outcomes and effectiveness of activities and recommending solutions to shortfalls in achieving planned objectives
• assessing current media monitoring services and communication processes and developing, recommending, implementing new services and processes

Job Requirements

Recognized degree or diploma in public relations, communications, journalism, or similar field

7-10 years’ experience in public relations, communications, stakeholder relations, issues management, government relations

Proven experience in the implementation of digital communication/social media strategies to achieve reputation management and public relations goals

Experience in the creation and development of high-quality, effective communications products

Project planning  experience to manage multiple and concurrent projects varying in scope and complexity

Experience fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Experience fostering positive relationships with media

Experience determining potential volatility of issues and recommending, implementing best issues management practices

Experience exercising judgment and discretion and providing analysis and advice on contentious issues

Knowledge and skills in current trends and best practices in external communications and reputation management

Strong knowledge of government processes, legislative affairs, policy development, political decision-making processes

Strong knowledge and skills in media and public relations within a government context

Highly developed analytical, conceptual and critical planning skills.

Perform work with high degree of autonomy

Certificate in public relations, digital communications, project management or other relevant fields an asset

Work Conditions

Attend offsite stakeholder meetings, communications related events (weekly, as appropriate)
Frequent requirement to prioritize competing work demands and meet multiple deadlines (daily)
Frequent requirement to respond to spontaneous requests with haste and accuracy under tight deadlines (daily)

As a precondition of employment, the WSIB will require a prospective candidate to undergo a criminal records name check prior to or at any time following hire.

To apply for this position, please visit the application portal.

To post an open position on QP Briefing, please contact us.