Director, Media and Issues Management

Position Purpose: 

The Director, Media and Issues Management serves as Infrastructure Ontario's lead spokesperson and strategic advisor on media relations, issues management, and reputation management. The role oversees the enterprise issues management function, leads media strategy and response activities, and provides executive communications support on high-profile and sensitive matters. Working closely with senior leadership, ministries, government partners, and stakeholders, the position helps protect and enhance Infrastructure Ontario's reputation while ensuring consistent, proactive, and effective communications. 

What You Will Do: 

• Lead Infrastructure Ontario's enterprise issues management function, including issue identification, monitoring, response planning, and coordination across the organization. 

• Develop and execute media relations strategies that support corporate priorities, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and enhance Infrastructure Ontario's reputation. 

• Serve as a primary spokesperson and strategic advisor on media and issues management matters, providing guidance and support to executives and senior leaders. 

• Oversee the development of key messages, briefing materials, media responses, speeches, presentations, issue notes, and other communications products. 

• Manage relationships with media, ministries, central agencies, and government communications teams to support coordinated communications and stakeholder engagement. 

• Provide media training, coaching, and preparation for executives and senior leaders participating in interviews, public engagements, and other high-profile communications activities. 

• Lead crisis communications planning and support organizational readiness for emerging issues and reputational risks. 

• Monitor emerging issues, public sentiment, stakeholder concerns, and developments that may impact Infrastructure Ontario's reputation and strategic objectives. 

• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for issues management, correspondence, stakeholder inquiries, and media relations activities. 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen communications processes, issues management practices, and organizational readiness through continuous improvement initiatives. 

Who You Are: 

• Degree or diploma in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related discipline an asset. 

• Significant experience leading media relations, public affairs, issues management, reputation management, or strategic communications functions. 

• Demonstrated experience acting as a spokesperson and advising executives on media strategy, issues management, and high-profile communications matters. 

• Strong understanding of government, public-sector, political, and stakeholder environments, including experience working with ministries, agencies, senior officials, or elected representatives. 

• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, media relations, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and provide strategic advice at senior levels. 

• Proven leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, developing teams, and managing complex communications issues in fast-paced environments. 

What We Offer:

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee’s annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more.
• A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and our parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks.
• Access to our $1000 Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program and a Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and can include coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling or financial planning.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being. IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and license fees per year for eligible colleagues if directly related to the employee’s role.
• Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs.
• A convenient, central location at 1 Dundas St West, easily accessible by public transit.

We offer a competitive salary range of $139,000 to $162,100 (M3 level), pay will align with skills, knowledge and experience of the candidate.

This posting will close on Monday October 19th, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

This posting is for a current active vacancy. We are actively recruiting to fill this position.