Senior Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management

Senior Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management

Corporate Services - Communications

Status: Regular Full Time

Salary Range: $151,183 - $188,979 per annum plus comprehensive benefits  

Hiring Range: $151,183 - $170,081 per annum plus comprehensive benefits 

Work mode: Hybrid* see below for more details about this work mode.  

Location: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton 

Hours of work: 35 hours per week 

At the Region of Peel, we’re committed to protecting and strengthening our public trust through proactive media engagement and effective issues management. As Senior Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management, you’ll lead critical reputational strategies that safeguard and enhance our organization’s public image while ensuring consistent, transparent, and timely communication.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a strategic Senior Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management to lead our proactive and reactive reputational management efforts. This role will be crucial in safeguarding and enhancing our organization's public image, ensuring consistent messaging, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of media relations, issues and crisis communications, as well as have a proven track record of managing complex issues and leading high-performing teams. This is a great opportunity for someone with deep issues experience, strong leadership skills and a passion for public service to make a real impact at one of the largest municipal governments in Canada.

Responsibilities:

Media Relations

• Monitor and analyze public perception, media coverage, and stakeholder sentiment to identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Proactively manage and enhance the organization's public image through strategic initiatives and communication campaigns.
• Lead the development and implementation of thought leadership initiatives to establish the organization as a trusted authority.
• Develop and execute strategic media relations plans to secure positive coverage.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts and influencers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and manage all media interactions.
• Analyze media coverage to assess the effectiveness of media relations outreach.
• Organize and manage press conferences and media events as required.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Anticipate and mitigate reputational risk across traditional and social media.
• Manage multiple reputational challenges simultaneously with the ability to prioritize and execute appropriately.
• Draft large-scale risk assessments, playbooks, messaging briefings and guidance documents.
• Serve as a lead of the crisis management team, providing strategic communication counsel and support.
• Conduct crisis communication simulations and training to prepare the organization for potential crises.

Strategic Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Advise senior leaders and key spokespeople in sensitive, high-impact situations.
• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and other public forums.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment and integration of media relations into programs.
• Develop and manage budgets and resources effectively.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the media relations and issues management team.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Recruit, train, and develop team members to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve their goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide feedback to team members.
• Mentor and coach team members to enhance their communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in media relations, crisis communications, or related fields.
• 8+ years of experience in leading and managing teams.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful media relations and communication strategies.
• Strong understanding of media relations, crisis communication, and reputation principles.
• Excellent written and verbal persuasive skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong project management skills.

Be bold. Think big. Join us. 

Perks That Make Work Fun (and Your Life Easier)! 

At Peel Region, we believe in taking care of you. Here's what you'll enjoy when you join our team:  

• Top-Notch Benefits: Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision plan (yes, even psychological health coverage) — starting on your very first day! 

• OMERS Pension Plan: Automatic enrolment to help secure your future with peace of mind. 

• Vacation Time That Grows: Start with 3 weeks of vacation per year— because work-life balance is important! 

• Personal Days Just for You: Enjoy 3 paid personal days and floating holidays to recharge whenever you need. 

• Wellness First: Flexible hours to fit your lifestyle and prioritize your health and well-being. 

• Performance Pays Off: Annual performance reviews with merit increases — your hard work is recognized and rewarded! 

• Supportive, Respectful Culture: Work in an environment where leadership truly cares, and inclusivity is celebrated. 

• Learning & Growth: Access to tuition reimbursement and tons of development resources to keep you growing — whether in your career or on a personal level. 

We’ve got you covered — because we know happy, healthy people do their best work!  

In this role, you’ll benefit from the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement that prioritizes meaningful in-person connection. A minimum of two days per week on-site is expected, with additional in-person presence as operational needs evolve. This arrangement allows for a blend of in person and hybrid work that adapts to support both organizational priorities and employee flexibility and is subject to change over time. 

It's important to note that your off-site work location must be within the province of Ontario. This ensures that we're compliant with all regulations and policies. 
 
The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved.  

Interview: Our recruitment process will include video conference technology 

Kindly ensure to regularly monitor your spam and junk email folders, as important communications regarding your application may be directed there.  

If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.  

Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon.  Peel Region delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 200,000 businesses.

We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible.  A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.

Our workforce is 6,700 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support. 

Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month® with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, Peel Region is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Peel Region, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than Peel Region.

Peel Region is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.

Peel Region is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact zzg-hrtalentacquisition@peelregion.ca 

Please be advised, Peel Region uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e., testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.