Manager of Communications
Corporate Services
Municipality of North Grenville
POSTING #: CS-2025-001
North Grenville is a growing municipality located in eastern Ontario housing a unique blend of small town and rural culture. Comprised of an urban centre (Kemptville) and surrounded by several charming rural hamlets, North Grenville is situated between Canada’s National Capital - Ottawa and the St. Lawrence River, only a 30-minute drive along the Veterans Memorial Highway (416), to either destination.
Application:
The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the full-time position of Manager of Communications. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications in confidence to Human Resources by 4 PM, Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.
Please quote “CS-2025-001”.
Email:
Mail: Municipality of North Grenville
285 County Road 44, P.O. Box 130
Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Purpose and Scope:
Reporting directly to the CAO, this role is responsible for providing leadership to advance the strategic communications initiatives and strategy of the Municipality. This includes all internal and external communications, brand/marketing strategies, media relations, and executive level strategic counsel and support.
Responsibilities:
- Manage, oversee, and approve all communication from the Municipality of North Grenville administration and from time to time the political office. This includes media relations, crisis management, graphic outputs including content management for electronic and print communications including website content, media responses, social media, and print marketing material.
- Oversee the development of the annual Corporate Communications Strategic Plan to guide proactive communication efforts, that includes goals, budget, and tactics for internal and external stakeholders. Establish and monitor measures for tracking the success of this strategy and identify areas of continuous improvement.
- Manage corporate internal communication efforts, including cultivating a corporate culture that values communications that are client focused, easy to understand and promote transparency.
- Provide timely, accurate, and strategic communication advice to the CAO and Senior Leadership Team.
- Work with the Senior Leadership Team to reinforce and communicate messages related to the corporate vision, ensure internal communications support and are in alignment with corporate direction.
- Responsible for corporate communications standards and training, corporate graphic standards, and brand management.
- Lead recruitment, workload assignments, training, coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations of staff. Manage staff assigned to perform work and activities including technical direction, training recommendations, coaching and mentoring as well as provide input to the career development of assigned staff. Ensure the team is adequately resourced and performing effectively by monitoring outputs.
- Monitor media, environmental reports, and strategic documents to anticipate emerging issues and trends.
- Develop and manage the annual budget and expenditures for Corporate Communications in accordance with municipal policies and requirements.
- Direct work activities related to contracted services, such as branding, graphic design suppliers, film, video, editing services, and other vendors. Recommend changes as appropriate and required.
- Manage relationships with the media and the public.
- Coordinate and organize special events, including consultation meetings, press conferences, and workshops.
- Implement systems to track public and employee sentiment through surveys, media monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.
- Maintain the highest level of confidentiality in handling municipal matters, in line with the Code of Conduct.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Note: Above duties are representative of a typical position and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.
Qualifications:
- Completed post-secondary education in Communications, Public/Media Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related discipline with minimum seven (7) years of experience in a strategic communications role ideally within public sector, or non-profit environments and three (3) years within a leadership role, or a comparable combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and develop a team including hiring, training, development, managing performance and addressing workplace conflict or challenges
- Demonstrated success supporting executive-level leaders and managing complex communications portfolios.
- Demonstrated ability to lead the development of strategic communications functions including issues management, crisis management, public relations, media relations, etc.
- Superior communication planning skills, a demonstrated ability to make decisions involving multiple routine tasks, affecting department level, and excellent project management, leadership, and team-building skills.
- Extensive experience in government/stakeholder engagement and relations; experience as a spokesperson, supporting senior executives, responding to media and working with the press including the ability to build consensus and drive positive outcomes.
- Knowledgeable of municipal government processes, particularly in the development and delivery of stakeholder consultation plans and related communications.
- Must have the ability to work independently, establish priorities, manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and act as a resource to Council and Management including the ability to assume the role as the Municipality’s representative on issues.
- Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications and media relations; crisis and issues management; internal communications and employee engagement; social and digital media strategy and executive communications and speechwriting.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, and expense tracking.
- High level of political acuity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, social media platforms and content creation (e.g., LinkedIn). Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and video editing tools is considered an asset.
- A team-oriented person with demonstrable initiative, change management skills, and a strong attention to detail.
- Valid and unrestricted Class “G” driver’s license with access to reliable transportation and be able to travel to various work locations across the municipality.
Working Conditions:
- Based on a thirty-five (35) hour work week, incumbent is required to work a flexible schedule, including in the office, remotely and after hours (as required).
Compensation:
- The salary range for this position is $79,443.00 to $99,317.00 annually.
We thank all those who apply; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Municipality of North Grenville is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and any other applicable legislation throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
