Job Posting

The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Public Affairs Advisor in Corporate Communications.

The Halifax Regional Municipality is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Manager, Public Affairs, the Public Affairs Advisor provides advice on external communications strategies, including issues and crisis management, for the purpose of information sharing with stakeholders – as well as building and protecting the reputation and brand of the Halifax Regional Municipality. The position provides expertise in media relations, social media strategy and relationship management to increase the effectiveness of public engagement initiatives, marketing campaigns and other strategic communications efforts.

The Public Affairs Advisor facilitates all media requests for the administration and regularly acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the municipality. In addition to media relations, the Public Affairs Advisor implements and evaluates communications strategies that increase public awareness and understanding of municipal initiatives and provides advice on complex communications issues affecting both internal and external stakeholders.

Working with a team of professionals in the Corporate Communications division – including Public Affairs, Marketing, Internal Communications and Print Services – the Public Affairs Advisor develops integrated communications strategies that support ongoing initiatives of the municipality’s business units.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as a media spokesperson for television, radio, print and social media;
• Develops and executes integrated communications plans, ensuring that impactful communications with external audiences remains a priority;
• Manages the end-to-end delivery of innovative and effective communications products, services, and strategies;
• Leads teams in the implementation of communications tools and tactics;
• Prepares or oversees reports, briefs, web content, social media content, public service announcements, press releases, and other communications products;
• Understands and maximizes opportunities from the changing roles within the organization.
• Identifies and analyses potential issues and opportunities that may arise from municipal policies, programs or Regional Council decisions and recommends effective responses;
• Develops and executes issues management strategies and crisis communications plans;
• Assists the Emergency Management Division as needed;
• Assists senior staff in identifying ways to increase the effectiveness of existing tools, processes and procedures for internal and external communications;
• Provides communications support to decision-makers on human resource issues such as labour relations, restructuring and realignment, and business process change;
• Supports communications planning for corporate initiatives such as collective bargaining, contract negotiations, municipal budget, as well as projects and campaigns for strategic objectives that support priorities of Regional Council;
• Identifies trends in public opinion and media coverage; briefs staff on those trends and provides strategic advice on building and maintaining positive relationships between the municipality and its various stakeholders;
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with local and regional media;
• Ensures public understanding of municipal initiatives by implementing and evaluating communication strategies that include research, analysis of issues, and assessment of stakeholder opinions;
• Consults with, and provides strategic advice to, marketing and internal communications team to ensure consistency in key messaging and the organization’s overall communications approach;
• Advises and supports business units in the analysis and implementation of new communications initiatives and special projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:

• University degree in Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism or related
• A minimum of five years’ experience, preferably in a government environment or large organization

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Experience as a corporate spokesperson and/or experience delivering public messages to a live audience
• Demonstrated ability in enhancing internal/external communication and building stakeholder relationships
• Demonstrated experience or ability to work with elected officials, public, media, community organizations, etc.
• Excellent writing skills with up-to-date expertise of CP Style standards
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate in English (both oral and written form). Fluency in French is considered an asset
• Social media expertise
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects
• Prioritization of workflow, managing projects, and completing time-sensitive tasks
• Demonstrated experience in organizing media announcements or events

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Communication, Customer Service, Analytical Thinking, Risk Management, Organizational Awareness, Team Work and Cooperation, Values and Ethics, and Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full time

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, 35 hours per week; however, work outside these hours (including weekends) is routinely required due to the nature of the work and operational needs. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

SALARY: Non Union Level 8 $89,570 - $115,920. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.

WORK LOCATION: 7th Floor, Duke Tower (5251 Duke St.), Halifax

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up until 11:59pm on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position # 72291925)