Director, Communications

This competition is open to members of the public (external competition)

About the Role

The Director, Communications:

• Leads the development and implementation of strategies, approaches, standards, and guidelines that drive the design, development, and delivery of the full range of the Council’s public information and marketing products and services in both electronic and print formats.
• Provides the creative vision for the development, production, and dissemination of public information through stakeholder and partnership channels across the country to meet the Council’s strategic marketing communication objectives.
• Provides expert guidance and advice with respect to the development of messages and creative for print, social and digital media.
• Directs the development and implementation of a strategic framework for planning and managing the development of external and internal web-based communications materials to meet the Council’s program needs.
• Ensures a level of professionalism for the Council’s web-based communications materials.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the Council’s media relations function including the development of media plans, media support materials, media responses, training and coaching assistance, and special media strategies, the provision of advice and support to the Director and senior Council officials regarding media relations.
• Develops and coordinates the implementation of strategies, approaches, and initiatives to enhance the presence of the Council in selected fora to promote and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation amongst opinion leaders in the media, academia and think tanks of the role that the Council plays in the promoting and fostering Canada’s artistic communities.
• Leads the development of the Council's strategic internal communications plan, tools, guidelines and other related strategies and tactics.
• Manages the resources assigned with probity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Education

• An undergraduate degree in communications, public relations or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience related to the responsibilities of the position.
• A master’s degree or relevant certification would be an asset.

Experience

• Ten (10) years of experience directly related to the principal responsibilities of the position.
• Three (3) years of management experience including leading and supervising employees, financial management and organizational change management.
• Experience in strategic planning, policy development, leading multi-lateral projects and working with groups and senior leaders in government, funding organizations or related stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Expertise in providing strategic advice to senior leadership in the areas of reputation, brand, issues management and communications strategy.
• Strong proficiency in media, social media, digital communications, and modern public relations.
• Knowledge and understanding of Canada’s arts sector, arts funding and/or cultural development agency would be an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of how the federal government functions, notably within the context of a Crown corporation would be an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Political acuity with sound judgement to manage highly complex, contentious, and sensitive issues, especially regarding the arts sector.
• Ability to represent the Canada Council at stakeholder meetings and public events.
• Proven consultation, interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills to promote and build consensus to achieve results.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders, inside and outside of the Canada Council.
• Excellent program management skills, with the ability to conceptualize, develop, implement, and manage projects of a diverse nature, while meeting objectives, timeframes and budgets.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to write and speak in clear, accessible, and compelling language with a high degree of professionalism and diplomacy.
• Strong ability to provide strategic advice based on data analysis, and to organize and lead work on behalf of various stakeholders.
• High level of organizational and administration skills, with strengths in strategic planning, human resources, and financial management.
• Caring, highly effective people leadership skills, with demonstrated experience in employee coaching, mentoring, team leadership and development.
• Excellent judgment, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Bilingual Requirements

This position requires the use of both official languages. The requirements in the second official language are:

• an advanced level in reading comprehension (C).
• an intermediate level in writing (B).
• an advanced level in oral (C).

 *Important: Please submit your resume and a cover letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the above qualifications for Education and Experience. Please note that selection for further consideration will be based solely on the information provided in your cover letter, resume and application.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Council directly.

For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.

The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the individuals and communities we serve. We invite applications from individuals with any combination of backgrounds, origins, identities, and forms of self-expression. The Council is committed to enhancing the representation of the following groups within its workforce: Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities.

We encourage you to include information on how you identify in the Voluntary Self-Identification section of the application form. This information is used during the recruitment process to enhance representation of historically underserved and marginalized communities, as per the Employment Equity Act and the Council's ongoing commitment to equity. This information is also used for reporting at an aggregate level.

Please note that all persons requiring accommodation and/or assistance in completing the Canada Council’s Careers application process are welcome to contact the Council for support.