Sr. Communications & Public Affairs Officer

Skilled Trades Ontario
Mississauga, ON

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Job details

Full-time
9 days ago

Benefits

RRSP match
Dental care
Employee assistance program

Skills

Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft Word
Public Relations
Journalism
Research
Copy editing
Social media platforms
Project management
Content creation
Bachelor's
Stakeholder coordination
Media and communications experience
Journalism
Communications
Content management
Public relations
Strategic communications
Communication skills
Marketing
Stakeholder relationship building
Time management
Stakeholder management

Full job description

Location: Mississauga, ON
Job Band: 10
Salary Range: $43.39 to $56.67/hour
Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week
Reporting to: Manager, Corporate Communications
This posting is applicable to: Internal/External Applicants

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a Crown agency responsible for skilled trades
certification in Ontario, which includes:

Establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum

standards and certification exams.

Administering apprenticeship programs, including approving apprentices and

sponsors, registering training agreements and assessing applications for
apprenticeship program completion.

Issuing certificates of apprenticeship to completed Ontario apprentices.
Assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed

an apprenticeship program in Ontario.

Administering exams, including certifying exams, in all trades subject to

certifying exams.

Issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams.
Renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades.
Maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory

trades.

Researching apprenticeships and the trades.

The Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer provides strategic communications
advice and support to Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) in the planning, development,
implementation, and evaluation of communications and public affairs initiatives. The
position leads the development of communications products, issues management
materials, media and stakeholder responses, digital content, and public-facing
campaigns that support STO's mandate, strategic priorities, and reputation.

Working collaboratively across the organization, the Senior Communications and Public
Affairs Officer builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders,
provides communications expertise to business areas, monitors emerging issues, and

SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO SSTO - 1054 - SR. COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

ensures communications products and activities align with STO's brand, key messages,
and organizational objectives.

Responsibilities:

Lead the writing, editing, and delivery of communications and marketing products

including speeches, briefing notes, issues notes, key messages, presentations,
website content, advertising copy, correspondence for senior leadership, media
materials, and other communications products as required.

Provide strategic communications advice and recommendations to management

and subject matter experts on communications initiatives, emerging issues,
stakeholder engagement activities, and reputational considerations.

Develop and implement communications plans and strategies that support

organizational priorities, programs, campaigns, announcements, and events.

Ensure all communications products adhere to STO's brand standards, messaging

framework, accessibility requirements, and communications best practices.

Provide editorial review and quality assurance for communications content

developed across the organization.

Lead the development of responses to media inquiries, stakeholder inquiries,

social media inquiries, and public requests for information ensuring alignment with
approved messaging and required approvals.

Monitor traditional media, social media, stakeholder activities, and emerging

issues and pro-vide analysis and recommendations regarding communications
opportunities and reputational risks.

Conduct research, environmental scans, and stakeholder analysis to support

communications planning, issues management, and executive decision-making.

Develop communications approaches and supporting materials to effectively

communicate organizational announcements, initiatives, programs, events, and
policy changes.

Work closely with graphic design, web, and external service providers to ensure

communications products are executed effectively and consistently across
channels.

Support stakeholder engagement initiatives by developing communications

materials, key messages, presentations, and engagement strategies.

Lead and coordinate complex communications projects, including developing work

plans, timelines, stakeholder consultations, approvals processes, and
deliverables.

Monitor and assess public opinion and stakeholder perspectives related to STO

and recommend communications responses where appropriate.

SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO SSTO - 1054 - SR. COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Manage and maintain STO's social media presence, including content

development, monitoring, engagement, and reporting.

Qualifications:

University degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism,

Political Science, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related discipline.

Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in

communications, public relations, media relations, public affairs, stakeholder
relations, journalism, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience developing strategic communications plans and

delivering complex communications initiatives.

Experience providing communications advice to management and senior leaders;
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and

competing deadlines.

Experience in a government, regulatory, Crown agency, public sector, or

stakeholder-driven environment is considered an asset.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and execute high-quality

work under tight timelines.

Knowledge of:

Communications, public relations, public affairs, media relations, and stakeholder

engagement principles, methodologies, and best practices.

Issues management, reputation management, and strategic communications

planning.

Digital communications, website content management, social media platforms,

and accessibility requirements.

Government decision-making processes, public-sector accountability

environments, and stakeholder relations.

STO programs, policies, terminology, strategic priorities, and mandate.

Skills include:

Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills;
Strong strategic thinking, critical analysis, and research capabilities.
Ability to provide consultative communications advice across the organization.
Excellent time management, organization, and project management skills.
Ability to synthesize complex information into clear and concise communications

products for diverse audiences.

Strong stakeholder relationship management and collaboration skills.
Demonstrated political acuity, diplomacy, sound judgment, and discretion.

SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO SSTO - 1054 - SR. COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Proficiency in website content management, digital communications, and social

media management.

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint,

Word, Out-look, and Excel.

What STO Offers:

Work-life balance
Comprehensive health and dental benefits
RRSP matching (up to 6%)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through TELUS Health with employee perks

How to Apply: Please submit your application on ADP by August 25, 2026 via the
following link:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=ca76
3c0a-275d-409e-95c5-
2b5d98d0de89&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=614153&lang=en_CA&source=CC2

We thank all applicants for their interest and will only contact those whose skills,
knowledge, and experience most closely match the requirements of the position.

Our Recruitment Process Includes:
• Step 1: Resume Screening

Step 2: Phone Screening
Step 3: Panel Interview(s)/Assignment
Step 4: Selection
Step 5: Offer of Employment

Skilled Trades Ontario embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds,
allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with
the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and
Skilled Trades Ontario’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided at any point
throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known
to Skilled Trades Ontario. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Skilled Trades Ontario is an equal opportunity employer.

SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO SSTO - 1054 - SR. COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

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