External Relations Officer/ Executive Assistant

Term – Up to 18 months
Competition #222

Please apply with a cover letter and resume online at: https://jobbank.brandon.ca/

Position Conditions: This is a full-time, up to eighteen (18) month term position, of 36.25 hours per week. This position is not part of a collective agreement and is open to all interested parties. The City of Brandon reserves the right to underfill this position. Should the incumbent not return to the position, this term may become permanent.

NOTE: The successful applicants must pass a Criminal Record Check and Background Check.

Rate of Pay: $83,084.86- $89,645.17 (2026 Rates)

Closing Date: 11:59pm on April 20, 2026.

This competition will include testing and an interview.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Working directly with the Mayor of the City of Brandon and City Manager, the External Relations Officer/Executive Assistant is passionate about public service and collaboration to achieve the goals of the government entity. The incumbent supports the City’s strategic priorities by advancing relationships with diverse levels of governments, municipal partners, provincial and federal departments, and key external organizations. The Incumbent is also responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Office of the Mayor. In this key role, the individual will be responsible for a wide range of complex and confidential administrative duties in a dynamic municipal environment.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supports the City’s intergovernmental relations activities to advance Council and organizational priorities.
• Acts as a liaison between various levels of government, including federal, state, and municipal.
• Monitors federal, provincial, and municipal policy, legislation, and funding opportunities.
• Leads or supports the development of advocacy positions, submissions, briefing notes, and research materials.
• Coordinates the City’s responses to intergovernmental inquiries and partnership proposals.
• Supports relationship building and collaboration with Indigenous governments and communities.
• Clearly communicates the policies and goals of the government to stakeholders and policymakers.
• Responsible for coordinating and maintaining relationships between different levels and branches of government.
• Ensure that communication between government agencies and other stakeholders is clear and effective.
• Build and maintain relationships with other government agencies and organizations to support strategic goals and initiatives.
• Develop strategies to implement government policies and initiatives at the local level.
• Monitors legislation and regulations impacting government policies and objectives.
• Provides advice to government officials on intergovernmental issues and policy implications.
• Prepares and delivers presentations on government policies and initiatives to various audiences.
• Facilitates intergovernmental coordination to streamline decision-making processes.
• Coordinates meetings, conferences, and other events related to intergovernmental affairs.
• Represents the City on committees, forums, and working groups.
• Prepare confidential and public reports.
• Conducts research on government initiatives and emerging issues.
• Maintains tracking tools for policy changes and engagement requests.
• Provides support services for special projects
• Performing executive administrative functions, including public relation matters on behalf of the Mayor.
• Acting as a liaison with the political offices, the general public, community organizations and stakeholders, as well as the City Manager.
• Managing positive relationships with the general public, community organizations, Council, city staff, and other stakeholders.
• Acting as the Liaison/Contract Administrator between the Corporation and major strategic partnerships.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Mayor.
• Managing the Mayor’s budget, overseeing expenditure and performing accounts payable functions.
• Managing the Mayor’s calendar to maximize productivity.
• Arranging registration at conferences, conventions and seminars including managing the Mayor’s travel logistics.
• Attending with or representing the Mayor at events and meetings as required.
• Coordinating events and meetings for the Mayor including flag raising ceremonies and proclamation signings.
• Managing and organizing the Mayor’s email communications.
• Responding to a wide range of inquiries (written, telephone, and in-person) ensuring appropriate response from City staff as well as gatekeeping difficult conversations.
• Organizing and attending special events including after-hours events.
• Tracking City projects, local news and events keeping the Mayor apprised.
• Preparing general correspondence including having input to speeches.
• Maintaining records, files, and reports
• Coordinating and conducting City Hall tours for school groups and other outside visitors.
• Performing the duties of the Executive Assistant to the City Manager in their absence.

NOTE: This description is not intended to limit the assignment of work or be construed as a complete list of the many duties to be performed by the incumbent.

MANDATORY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Grade 12, G.E.D., C.A.E.C., or Mature High School Diploma.
• Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, or related field.
• Must possess a valid Class 5 Province of Manitoba driver's license.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in a progressively responsible political/administrative field to have demonstrated competence in related tasks ideally within a government environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• This position requires successful completion of a Police Background Check.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Post-secondary education or course work related to Department or Division operations an asset.
• Experience working in government, particularly in a legislative or executive capacity.

WORK CONDITIONS
The External Relations Officer/ Executive Assistant works independently and as part of a team.
• Wide variety of tasks requiring ability to manage multiple unrelated projects and make independent decisions (regularly)
• Self motivated and quality driven to perform independent projects (regularly)
• Work in a shared and consultative manner with other employees and external organizations (regularly)

Please contact [email protected] for a complete job description

The City of Brandon is committed to an inclusive, barrier free environment and will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those advancing in the competition will be contacted. If contacted to participate in the process, please advise if you require an accommodation. If you are interested in finding out more about the City of Brandon job opportunities as soon as they are posted, please follow us on Facebook or X!