Communications Manager

Tsawout-First-Nation; Central Saanich; On-site; CAD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Tsawout-First-Nation is seeking a Communications Manager to lead clear, timely, culturally grounded, and coordinated communications across the organization.

Reporting to the Director of Programs & Services, this position develops and implements communication strategies, manages internal and external communications, supports community engagement, and strengthens the Nation’s public presence across print, digital, social media, and community channels.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Communications or related field with equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years in communications, including strategy, writing, and digital content.
• Experience with websites, social media, calendars, and analytics.
• Strong writing, editing, plain-language communication, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of branding, media relations, accessibility, privacy, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain organization-wide communications strategy and editorial calendar.
• Lead internal and external communications across channels and events.
• Prepare briefing notes, key messages, and materials for leadership and initiatives.
• Coordinate media inquiries and produce approved responses and releases.
• Oversee content governance for apps, websites, intranets, and digital channels.

Skills

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

Media relations

Digital content

Project coordination

Audience analysis

Brand management

Privacy & confidentiality

Education

Post-secondary degree in Communications or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

CMS / content management

Website management

Social media platforms

Job description

POSITION: Communications Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full-time; occasional evening.

REPORTS TO: Director of Programs & Services

WAGE RANGE: Starting at $85,000 + depending on education and experience

POSITION OVERVIEW

SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation is seeking a Communications Manager to lead clear, timely, culturally grounded, and coordinated communications across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Programs & Services, this position develops and implements communication strategies, manages internal and external communications, supports community engagement, and strengthens the Nation’s public presence across print, digital, social media, and community channels.

The Communications Manager works closely with the Director of Programs & Services, Executive Director, department leaders, employees, community members, and external partners to ensure communications are accurate, accessible, respectful, and aligned with approved priorities, organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and SȾÁUTW̱ values. The role requires strong strategic judgment, excellent writing and editing skills, careful handling of sensitive information, media awareness, and a community-focused approach that reflects cultural safety, transparency, and trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain an organization-wide communications strategy, annual work plan, editorial calendar, communication standards, and communication plans for major initiatives, events, organizational changes, emergencies, and public announcements.
• Lead the preparation and coordinated distribution of community notices, newsletters, updates, event materials, reports, presentations, and public information through the SȾÁUTW̱ app, website, social media, email, print, digital displays, and community posting locations.
• Support the Executive Director, Chief and Council, and department leaders with briefing notes, key messages, speaking notes, correspondence, presentation materials, and communication plans for priority initiatives.
• Manage internal communications through the staff intranet, leadership messages, staff notices, operational updates, calendars, email, and other approved channels.
• Provide editorial oversight and content governance for the SȾÁUTW̱ app, public website, staff intranet, and Council intranet, including publishing workflows, approvals, access, privacy, records management, archiving, and content audits.
• Write, edit, proofread, format, and publish clear, accessible, high-quality content using consistent SȾÁUTW̱ terminology, voice, visual identity, accessibility standards, and cultural protocols.
• Coordinate media inquiries and prepare approved responses, news releases, backgrounders, key messages, spokesperson materials, and emergency or crisis communications.
• Protect confidential, personal, culturally sensitive, privileged, and embargoed information, and maintain appropriate consent and release processes for photographs, recordings, testimonials, and member stories.
• Monitor media coverage, digital engagement, public feedback, emerging issues, misinformation, and reputational risks; prepare reports and recommendations to improve communication effectiveness.
• Manage communication projects, service providers, contractors, budgets, schedules, and deliverables within approved authorities, and provide practical communication tools and guidance to departments.
• Support organizational events, public meetings, campaigns, annual reporting, strategic initiatives, and other related duties within the scope of the position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office-based environment with regular use of computers, digital platforms, cameras, and office equipment, along with regular interaction with leadership, staff, community members, media, vendors, and external partners.
• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, events, photography, training, and community engagement.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or on-call work may be required during events, emergencies, or time-sensitive communication needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Indigenous Studies, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible communications experience, including strategy, writing, digital content, media relations, and project coordination.
• Demonstrated experience preparing executive, community, public, and organizational communications for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing websites, social media channels, email distribution tools, content calendars, digital analytics, and common content-management tools.
• Advanced writing, editing, proofreading, storytelling, presentation, and plain-language communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of communication planning, audience analysis, brand management, media relations, digital engagement, accessibility, privacy, consent, and evaluation.
• Sound judgment regarding confidentiality, cultural information, political sensitivity, reputational risk, approvals, and escalation.
• Strong project management, planning, prioritization, quality-control, relationship-building, and deadline-management skills.
• Ability to remain calm, accurate, responsive, and professional during urgent, sensitive, or high-profile communication situations.
• Previous experience working with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, governments, or community-based organizations is strongly preferred.
• Training or experience in cultural safety, emergency communications, media relations, accessibility, or trauma-informed practice is an asset.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 and common website, social media, design, email marketing, photography, and content-management tools.
• A valid BC Driver’s Licence is an asset and may be required depending on operational needs.
• Must be able to provide a clear Criminal Record Check, including a vulnerable sector check where required.

SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community it serves. In accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to qualified Indigenous applicants, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit candidates.

All applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their application if they choose. Hiring decisions will be made based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs, while supporting SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation’s commitment to Indigenous employment and self-determination.

OTHER FACTORS

Culture/Language

Respect for and working knowledge of the W̱SÁNEĆ culture and SENĆOŦEN language is required.

Personal Attributes

Maintains strict confidentiality in performing their duties and demonstrates the following personal attributes: Respect, Empathy, Strength, Pride and Equality.

Our benefits package includes:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 19, 2026 at 4:00pm.