Senior Communications Specialist- Media Relations and Issues Management

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST – MEDIA RELATIONS & ISSUES MANAGEMENT :

($63,393.31 – $73,118.09 – Annually)

BC Housing is a provincial Crown agency with an annual budget of $1.45 billion (2019/20) and a portfolio of housing services and programs that assist 110,400+ households in over 300 communities provincewide. As such, we continually seek sustainable housing solutions that are supported by excellence in service delivery and research, and take into account social, financial and environmental impacts.

There is not a more compelling opportunity for a communications professional than joining a team committed to making a positive difference in people’s lives and communities. The Communications Branch is growing to be able to help BC Housing deliver on the historic investment in affordable housing now underway, and this could be your chance to join the high-performing team responsible for delivering safe, affordable and quality housing for British Columbians.

The Communications Branch is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of internal and external communications strategies to educate and inform the public and staff regarding the delivery of affordable housing programs by the government. This is achieved through a broad range of activities related to media relations, issues management, social media, employee communications, and government, stakeholder and community relations.

As a Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations & Issues Management, you’ll be tasked with supporting, and at times leading, media, issues, events and announcements required to support projects in the Vancouver Island BC region and support other regions when needed. In this role, you will liaise with regional directors, development managers, operational staff as well as key partners and stakeholders to ensure BC Housing is ahead of emerging issues. You’ll also form strong relationships with media and support engaging pitches and events that illustrate how affordable housing is positively changing the lives of British Columbians. Through written and video content creation, you’ll help to bring BC Housing’s story to life and expose the important work and unique partnerships that we are developing.

Reporting to the Manager, Media Relations & Issues Management, you will work closely with five other members of the team to support targeted media relations strategies, implement issues management approaches and rollout event plans. You will also build relationships as you respond to inquiries from our Ministry, partners and stakeholders. Your creativity will be key as you support content for our social channels, write engaging news releases, interview partners and staff to develop stories for our website, and assist with storyboarding and coordination of videos. You will be a core member of the team that supports our tracking and filing systems, ensuring we’re sharing our most recent messaging with the Communications Branch and other departments throughout the Commission.
If you are an excellent writer with experience in media relations, issues management, events, and want to expand your skillset in a fast-paced, challenging and rewarding environment, this could be your chance to help deliver important change through a dedicated role with a complex portfolio.
We are considering candidates who either live or will be moving to the Lower Mainland, or candidates who are based out of the Greater Victoria area. This position includes opportunities to work remotely from home or in the office, depending on the candidate’s preference and the needs of the team.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management, the Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations and Issues Management is responsible for implementing strategic communications plans in support of BC Housing’s corporate objectives. He/she/they is a key contributor in sharing BC Housing’s story, helps build awareness of the Commission’s initiatives, and provides support to BC Housing’s Executive, management and staff as issues emerge. Responsibilities include issues management, responding to media requests, proactively pitching stories to reporters, event planning, video production support and coordination, story writing and key message development and administrative support. The incumbent also provides strategic communications support where needed to the larger team.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will have the following:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Advanced diploma in communications, public engagement or other relevant discipline.
Considerable progressive experience in communications planning, issues management, media relations, event management, stakeholder relations, and public engagement.
Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Considerable knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, theories and principles of communications, specifically in the public sector environment
Considerable knowledge of the objectives, programs and best practices of strategic communications planning, media relations, issues management, events management and stakeholder relations.
Proficient in the use of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook)
Strong verbal, writing, editing and presentation skills
Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to work independently and as a team player
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Ability to work closely with internal and external partners and stakeholders in implementing communication strategies, and facilitate problem solving in achieving results
Ability to plan, coordinate and oversee the execution of a variety of events and announcements
Ability to write and prepare website content for both internal and external audiences
Ability to work effectively with social media platforms
Ability to analyze, problem-solve, mediate and mitigate difficult situations
Ability to build effective working relationships and work with a variety of partners, stakeholders, agencies and contractors
Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressures, with scrupulous attention to details
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in an appropriate manner while displaying a high degree of judgement, discretion, and decision-making ability
Ability to travel on Commission business and work evenings and weekends as required
As part of our commitment to maintaining safe and healthy spaces, BC Housing has introduced an interim mandatory vaccination program for all employees. We require proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Individuals who cannot be vaccinated for reasons related to a protected ground under human rights law (such as medical issues or sincerely held religious beliefs) may request an accommodation. Upon receiving a request, we may request additional information to determine whether the applicant can be accommodated in the desired role without undue hardship. Successful applicants will be required to verify ability to travel under federal travel restrictions.

How to Apply:

Please review the attached job description for a complete list of duties, qualifications and competencies.  To be considered for this competition, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume clearly identifying how they meet the qualifications necessary for this position.  This information will be used as part of the selection process.

Your cover letter and resume should be submitted as one document in your profile when applying for this position. Please add your cover letter to your resume and submit both documents as your resume.

Please review the Job Description prior to applying

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As part of the application process, you will be prompted to fill out a questionnaire which must be completed in order for your application to be considered. Please allot up to 5 minutes to fill it out after submitting your resume and cover letter as one single document.

Only applications submitted using the Online Recruitment System at www.bchousing.org/careers will be accepted

If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your expertise to engage in a meaningful and challenging work, please apply to join our team today at www.bchousing.org/careers

At BC Housing, we’re committed to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We invite and welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities and Disabled People, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and all people committed to meaningful work that makes a difference.  We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact hr_admin@bchousing.org.

We didn’t become one of BC’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers without a lot of thought, care and consideration for our team and environment. Our supportive and collaborative workplace balances engaging and challenging work with personal development and wellness initiatives.

Apply Now: www.bchousing.org/careers

Have questions/issues about the application process? Please see our FAQ’s for some useful information.