The opportunity
The Senior Advisor, Communications will be responsible for leading the IESO's media relations and issues management functions. With a finger on the pulse of the media and stakeholder landscape, and a sharp understanding of the latest developments across the sector, the Senior Advisor will implement proactive and reactive communications strategies to enhance the organization's reputation.
A strong writer and relationship builder, the Senior Advisor works with others across the company to develop and maintain updated messaging on a variety of topics that connect to our broader strategy and help tell our story. The Senior Advisor is also experienced advising and preparing senior leadership to support media interviews and events.
Ontario's electricity system is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with economic development and decarbonization significantly increasing the need for new generation and transmission infrastructure across the province. The Senior Advisor will join a fast-paced and dynamic team that is helping the organization inform and build support among industry stakeholders, businesses, municipalities, and Indigenous communities as we prepare the province's electricity system for the future.
What you will be doing
- Initiate, design and execute media relations strategies, including the development of supporting written materials.
- Provides advice and guidance to senior IESO management when acting as spokespeople, and oversees regular training to staff to expand and strengthen the spokespeople roster.
- Participate in crisis communications exercises, make regular updates to the crisis communications binder and develop strategies to address any shortfalls found in the IESO's crisis communications procedures.
- Conducts internal research and makes recommendations on how to respond to media and other inquires within tight timelines, identifying opportunities to accomplish broader communication objectives.
- Ensure proactive and timely communications with media, acting as a point of contact for all incoming IESO media inquiries and coordinates follow-up information and/or interviews.
- Maintain an in-depth understanding of plans, activities and issues in key areas of the IESO and their potential impact on the IESO's relationships with its public.
- Lead discussions with internal stakeholders to help form and articulate IESO positions on new developments, developing messaging that is accurate, clear and credible.
- Maintain awareness of latest media relations and external communication techniques and key stakeholder and public policy trends developing or being used outside the organization.
- Identify to the Manager, issues arising or likely to arise from the public, media, key stakeholders or within the Corporation and recommend immediate, short and medium-term strategies, for addressing such issues with specific audiences.
- Review, edit and may write copy for brochures, bulletins, booklets, and web based material.
- Represent the IESO at various public events and act as a corporate spokesperson when Manager is unavailable.
- Exercise limited supervision over others designated to assist on certain projects/programs.
- Perform other duties as may be required.
What you need to succeed
Education
- Requires a strong knowledge of media relations and communications principles, techniques and applications to determine and develop communications strategies to meet these needs.
- Requires strong knowledge of English language in order to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels of management and external parties.
- This knowledge is normally acquired either through the successful completion of a 4 year university education in the appropriate discipline, or by having the equivalent.
Experience
- Requires experience in a broad range of communications activities to develop communication plans and appropriate action.
- Requires experience in handling media relations and public affairs.
- Requires experience in research and analysis on policies, decisions, corporate business plans and other current issues in order to prepare information for background reports, correspondence, briefing files, etc.
- Requires communication and interpersonal skills that support the ability to lead, influence and persuade individuals or groups.
- A period of over 8 years, up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.
Independent Electricity System Operator
1600-120 Adelaide Street West
Toronto
Ontario Canada
www.ieso.ca
