Communications Manager

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education; New Westminster; On-site; CAD 93,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

New Westminster Schools is seeking an experienced Communications Manager to lead strategic communications for the district, Board of Education, and school communities. The role reports to the Superintendent and will shape messaging, branding, and content across channels.

The position oversees media relations, district websites (WordPress), and crisis communications, ensuring timely, compliant information. A senior level background in public communications is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or relevant post-secondary education.
• Minimum of five years of experience at a management or senior level, preferably in a public sector or large complex organization.
• Considerable experience with Adobe Creative Suite and web design applications.

Responsibilities

• Provides a range of communications expertise, advice and support on internal and external communications planning, strategies, and policies.
• Develops key message frameworks and content to support clear, consistent communications products.
• Leads media relations for the district and Board of Education.
• Manages district websites (WordPress) and updates.
• Directs communications during emergencies and urgent events.
• Oversees branding consistency across templates, reports, signage, etc.
• Produces content for media releases, website content, and promotional materials.
• Maintains relationships with community, external agencies, and partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing skills

Project management

Collaborative style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/journalism

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Web design applications

Job description

New Westminster Schools Career Opportunity COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

New Westminster Schools is seeking an experienced, strategic, self-motivated, organized, creative, collaborative and dynamic communications professional. Reporting directly to the Superintendent of Schools, the Communications Manager plays a vital role in supporting the ongoing work of the District, Board of Education and all members of our school communities, as we work together to deliver on our key commitments and priorities.

About the position

Under the direction and in partnership with the Superintendent of Schools, the Communications Manager creates, implements, and executes on communication strategies that deliver leading-edge communications advice, products, and experiences, in support of the district and its many stakeholder groups. The position is the lead liaison between the district and the media, and will manage school district strategic communication plans, oversee its media and online presence, and facilitate the understanding and achievement of the district’s priorities, goals, and objectives. Specific responsibilities include:

• Provides a range of communications expertise, advice and support on internal and external communications planning, strategies, and policies.
• Articulates and demonstrates an understanding of key district strategic priorities, in communications documents and other products.
• Develops key message frameworks and content to support clear, consistent, and on-message communication products.
• Creates written communications content and support, to be used in media releases, website content, and promotional materials.
• Leads media relations for the district and Board of Education
• Manages regular oversite and updates to the district, school, and program-based websites (WordPress).
• Directs and manages communications during emergencies and other urgent events, when needed.
• Oversees and ensures consistent use and application of branding in the development and distribution of templates, reports, signage, and more.
• Creates, captures, and produces visually engaging content, including photography, design, and video where required.
• Content creation, curation and monitoring of all district social media channels.
• Manages all advertising and promotions over paid channels.
• Maintains and foster relationships with the community, external agencies, and partners. Including examining community consultation opportunities.
• Works with internal and external stakeholders or suppliers, to evaluate the effective use and merits of communications tools, products, and channels.
• Serves as contact person for matters relating to the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and ensures all FIPPA/FOI requests are responded to in a timely manner.
• Ensures adherence to copyright law.

About the candidate

• Superior interpersonal, communication, research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced in strategic or key message development, with excellent writing skills that can be adapted to channel, audience and situation.
• Strong relationship building skills and a leadership style that is open and transparent with a commitment to a ‘can do’ approach.
• A communications generalist, with a collaborative style, a broad understanding of communication best practices, and the ability to produce or direct the production of required communications products.
• Advanced ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet time sensitive deadlines.

Specific candidate qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or relevant post-secondary education.
• Minimum of five years of experience working at a management or senior level, preferably in a public sector or large complex organization.
• Considerable experience working with Adobe Creative Suite products and web design applications.

Salary Range

Minimum 93,299 / Maximum $116,623

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found, however applications received prior by October 23,2026, will be assured of full consideration.

Note

Faxed resumes will not be accepted. Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Records Search prior to employment. New Westminster Schools values the time you have taken to submit your application; however, only those applicants selected to move forward will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.

About New Westminster Schools

Serving the community of New Westminster, the New Westminster School District provides high quality educational programs to over 7,000 students in a variety of learning environments. New Westminster is in the center of Metro Vancouver between the larger communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Richmond. Despite its location the city is relatively small and has retained a strong sense of history and community. The total population is approximately 82,000 and expected to grow to 104,000 by 2041. District schools are in general, fully subscribed, and a steady increase in student enrolment is expected over the next ten years.

New Westminster School District has a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and needs. Together, we are a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners.

The New Westminster School District recognizes and acknowledges the Qayqayt First Nation, as well as all Coast Salish peoples, on whose traditional and unceded territories we live, we learn, we play and we do our work.New Westminster Schools welcomes and encourages applications from women, visible minorities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, any gender identity or gender expression. If you require an accommodation through our hiring process, please include your request in the application email to [e-mail].

Learn more about New Westminster Schools at www.makeafuture.ca/new-westminster or newwestschools.ca.