Communications & Community Engagement Lead (14-month contract to start with option to extend)

ACCIONA

is a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy, delivering innovative, forward-thinking solutions in over 40 countries. We’re proud to be shaping some of the most complex and transformative infrastructure projects in North America.

In partnership with Metrolinx, ACCIONA is playing a key role in the

, a 9.2-kilometre westward addition to Toronto’s Line 5 light rail transit network. This major infrastructure project includes

and installation of rail and systems under a progressive design-build model.

Beyond its technical scope, the ECWE project represents a significant investment in sustainable urban mobility, expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to

and eliminate

each year when combined with the full Line 5.

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team on a complex, high-value project that supports long-term regional growth and environmental sustainability. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and advance your career with a global infrastructure leader, we encourage you to apply and grow with us.

Main Responsibilities:

Accountability

- Lead the communications and engagement function, setting clear direction, governance, and priorities to ensure consistent, high‑quality, and timely delivery.

- Develop and oversee integrated communications and public engagement strategies that advance project objectives, meet contractual requirements, and address the complexities of urban infrastructure delivery.

- Provide strategic leadership across corporate communications, stakeholder and community engagement, Indigenous relations, community benefits, and marketing and advertising, ensuring alignment and effectiveness.

- Operate in a hands‑on leadership capacity, balancing strategic oversight with direct involvement in deliverables.

- Drive cross‑functional collaboration across project teams and external partners to align messaging and engagement.

- Serve as the primary escalation point for sensitive and high‑risk stakeholder matters, ensuring coordinated and effective resolution

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

- Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, local businesses, residents, government agencies, advocacy groups and other community stakeholders.

- Oversee the planning and delivery of public engagement events, community meetings, and stakeholder briefings across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.

- Oversee the community notification program and proactively manage public‑interest issues related to construction impacts, while working closely with construction, design, and other supporting functions to ensure timely, accurate information flow for public outreach and internal briefings.

- Manage and resolve inquiries, complaints, and sensitive community matters, including the development and execution of resolution protocols.

- Promote and apply “good neighbor” principles across all external communications and community interactions.

- Oversee Indigenous relations requirements, working cross-functionally and with the client to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and engagement best practices.

- Develop and oversee community benefits programs in close collaboration with internal teams and the client.

- Measure, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of communication and engagement activities, implementing continuous improvements.

Internal Coordination & Brand Management

- Advise senior leadership on communications, media, crisis, and community relations best practices during both routine operations and critical incidents.

- Ensure consistent messaging and brand application across all communication channels, platforms, and events.

- Provide oversight of internal communications across the consortium, setting enterprise‑wide messaging priorities, governing internal communications cadence and channels, and guiding cross‑functional initiatives that support workforce engagement, safety culture, and organizational alignment.

- Partner with internal functions to provide communications subject‑matter expertise and ensure departmental inputs are incorporated into budget development, commercial discussions, contract changes, procurement activities, and reporting.

Media, Digital, and Government Relations

- Provide strategic communications support to the client’s media and government engagement efforts, including preparing briefing materials, technical content, draft responses, and spokesperson support for media inquiries, press requests, and emerging issues.

- Lead social media strategy, campaigns, and content creation for consortium‑owned channels, including LinkedIn, website, and SharePoint.

- Draft and coordinate all social and web content for the client’s digital platforms, including editorial content, project website updates, newsletters and supporting photography and video, in collaboration with the client’s communications team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Exceptional communication skills, including advanced writing, editing, and public speaking, with a strong ability to translate complex technical information for non‑technical audiences.

- Proven leadership and collaboration capability, including leading teams, managing vendors, and coordinating across multi‑disciplinary and cross‑functional environments.

- Demonstrated expertise in issues management and crisis communications, with advanced stakeholder engagement and reputation management experience in complex, high‑profile settings.

- Proven ability to shape outcomes through influence, alignment, and strategic relationship management.

- Strong project management capability combined with a proactive problem‑solving approach, exercised with a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy and political awareness.

- Capable of managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment, with flexibility to support crisis response and planned or unplanned events outside standard business hours.

- Knowledge of inclusive communication practices and accessibility standards with the ability to engage multicultural communities.

- Other duties as required.

Experience/Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, Urban Planning, or a related field preferred; a Master’s degree is considered an asset.

- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in communications and public engagement roles, preferably within infrastructure, transportation, construction, energy, or public policy environments.

- Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale public engagement programs in complex, urban project settings.

- Proven experience supporting senior‑level public engagement, including spokesperson preparation and materials development for high‑risk or high‑visibility issues.

- Extensive experience operating within large, matrixed project organizations involving multiple partners, contractors, and governance structures.

- Experience working with municipal and provincial agencies, transit authorities, and community organizations on public‑facing initiatives.

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This role offers an annual base salary in the anticipated range of $140,000.00 – $195,000.00 CAD, with compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

In addition to base salary, this role includes a total rewards package that supports employee well-being, development, and long-term growth, subject to company policies and applicable provincial employment standards, including:

- Paid vacation and sick leave

- Group benefits and EFAP from your start date, with premiums paid by ACCIONA

- Health Spending Account

- Learning, development, and internal career opportunities

- RRSP matching

- Performance-based discretionary bonus

- Share purchase program

ACCIONA is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that our differences strengthen us and that we should reflect the communities we serve in our workforce.

We are also committed to creating an accessible and barrier‑free recruitment process and workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, and we will provide accommodations throughout the hiring process upon request.

If you require a disability‑related accommodation at any stage in the recruitment or selection process, please contact Jeremy Lawson jlawson@acciona.com. We will work with you to meet your needs.