Senior Community Relations Advisor

Description

• Assist senior staff in implementing community/municipal relations programs. Prepare supporting documents and materials for discussions and meetings with key audiences (e.g., council presentation).
• Respond to written enquiries and document consultation process in reports for the purposes of regulatory proceedings including written products such as letters, reports, notes of meeting, evidence for regulatory applications and hearings, news releases, newspaper ads, information panels and web copies in support of transmission projects or community/municipal issues.
• Provide a communications link between key stakeholders (e.g., municipal staff, elected officials, special interest groups, property owners) and Hydro One's corporate communications staff. Ensuring information exchange is conducted in a timely manner and updates are provided on a regular basis.
• Prepare a range of written documents and communication pieces to inform/educate stakeholders about Hydro One activities/projects.
• Attend team meetings for transmission projects and community/municipal issues. Represent corporate communications and the community/municipal relations viewpoints in discussions of local project requirements and strategies to address issues.
• Document all correspondence, written and oral in database.
• Compile and maintain community/municipal profile database. Identify key stakeholders affected by the project or who may have an interest in the project e.g. elected officials (e.g., mayors, councilors, MPPs), municipal/regional/county staff, public interest and ratepayer’s groups, media, members of the public and other key stakeholders for each transmission project or community/municipal issue.
• Keep up to date with the latest developments in the field of community/municipal relations/public affairs and specifically public consultation research and techniques.
• Organize public consultation activities, e.g., public information centres, community/municipal meetings and other community/municipal events in support of Hydro One transmission project. Represent the company at other municipal, community or special events to further corporate objectives (e.g., trades shows, local fairs, community presentations, municipal conferences, etc,).
• Manage logistics with respect to venues, arranging staff attendance and the production and transport of supporting materials.
• Respond to telephone or email enquiries from the general public and the media when they show interest or concern in matters related to Hydro One projects or other activities or issues affecting Hydro One served communities/municipalities. Track all public contacts in database.

Requirements

• Requires experience to be familiar with the organization, the responsibilities, contacts in the areas to be serviced, the developing and organizing of community relations programs.
• Requires experience managing sensitive issues in an often highly charged, political/environment.
• Requires experience identifying conflicting and emerging issues that may impact the company's objectives and corporate reputation.
• Requires experience with municipal and provincial politics and associated legislative frameworks.
• This knowledge is normally acquired through the completion of 4 years of university training (Grade XII plus 5 years).
• Requires extensive professional public affairs experience in a multi-faceted working environment. A period of over 8 years and up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience
• Requires experience in influencing and managing relationships with elected officials (provincial and municipal) in Ontario, community groups, and stakeholders.
• Requires a good knowledge of English and communication skills to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with all levels of management, municipals officials, community leaders and the public.
• Requires experience in such fields as corporate communications, public affairs and media relations to be familiar with the preparation of public information centres, stakeholder meetings, the preparation of material for publication, documentation testimony at public hearings for public relations and public consultation programs.
• Requires experience with communications plans, tactics and products.
• Requires experience working with management teams and senior executives.
• Requires a knowledge of corporate communications specializing in public affairs and consultation to evaluate and interpret trends and public opinion patterns.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance