Director, Communications

Ontario Cannabis Store; Toronto; On-site; CAD 127,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Cannabis Store seeks a Director of Communications to lead the organization’s communications, brand, stakeholder management, and social responsibility strategies. Reporting to the Vice President, the role provides strategic guidance on reputational matters and serves as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team.

The Director will oversee social responsibility programs and ensure messaging aligns with public health objectives and regulatory expectations while strengthening the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Business, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in a Communications leadership role (Manager level or above).
• Public sector experience (5+ years) preferred.
• Strong strategic communications expertise, including experience serving as an organizational spokesperson.
• Superior analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and leadership capabilities.
• Experience advising executive teams in regulated or publicly accountable environments preferred.
• Government or broader public sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead OCS's communications, brand, reputation, and social responsibility strategies, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Strategic Plan, mandate, values, and public sector responsibilities.
• Serve as the senior communications advisor to the Vice President and Executive Team, providing counsel on strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and reputational risk.
• Lead crisis communications, media relations, and public affairs activities, acting as the primary spokesperson and ensuring executive readiness, effective messaging, and trusted public representation.
• Oversee internal and external communications, enterprise storytelling, brand governance, social media, sponsorships, and thought leadership to maintain a consistent and credible organizational voice.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Social Responsibility function, ensuring the development and delivery of evidence-based programs, partnerships, and initiatives that promote responsible use, public trust, and regulatory alignment.
• Drive the integration of communications, brand, and social responsibility priorities across the organization to ensure consistent messaging and support business and stakeholder objectives.
• Lead high-profile events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements with government, industry, and public sector partners.
• Build and lead a high-performing team by coaching, developing, and empowering leaders and employees while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, and transparency.

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive advisory

Public sector experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Master's degree preferred

Job description

About Us

The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.

Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.

About the Role

We're looking for a Director, Communications to join our team. Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility, the Director will lead the organization's communications, brand, stakeholder management, and social responsibility strategies to support OCS's mandate, corporate priorities, and public accountability.

This role will be accountable for protecting and enhancing OCS's reputation, public trust, and stakeholder confidence through enterprise-wide communications and brand leadership. As a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will provide strategic guidance on reputational matters, stakeholder issues, and communications-related crises.

The Director will also provide oversight of the Social Responsibility function, ensuring programs, partnerships, and messaging align with public health objectives, regulatory expectations, and OCS values. Through leadership of integrated communications and brand alignment, this role will contribute to enterprise planning and help strengthen OCS's long-term position within the public and legal cannabis sectors.

About Your Day

• Lead OCS's communications, brand, reputation, and social responsibility strategies, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Strategic Plan, mandate, values, and public sector responsibilities.
• Serve as the senior communications advisor to the Vice President and Executive Team, providing counsel on strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and reputational risk.
• Lead crisis communications, media relations, and public affairs activities, acting as the primary spokesperson and ensuring executive readiness, effective messaging, and trusted public representation.
• Oversee internal and external communications, enterprise storytelling, brand governance, social media, sponsorships, and thought leadership to maintain a consistent and credible organizational voice.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Social Responsibility function, ensuring the development and delivery of evidence-based programs, partnerships, and initiatives that promote responsible use, public trust, and regulatory alignment.
• Drive the integration of communications, brand, and social responsibility priorities across the organization to ensure consistent messaging and support business and stakeholder objectives.
• Lead high-profile events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements with government, industry, and public sector partners.
• Build and lead a high-performing team by coaching, developing, and empowering leaders and employees while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, and transparency.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Business, or a related field
• Ongoing professional development; Master's degree in a related field preferred
• 7+ years of experience in a Communications leadership role (Manager level or above); public sector experience (5+ years) preferred
• Strong strategic communications expertise, including experience serving as an organizational spokesperson
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and executive advisory skills
• Solid understanding of data analysis, budgeting, and business operations
• Superior analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and leadership capabilities
• Experience advising executive teams in regulated or publicly accountable environments preferred
• Government or broader public sector experience preferred
• Advertising agency experience considered an asset

About the Job

• Location: Toronto, ON near York Mills and Yonge Street
• Hours of Work: 36.25 a week
• Employment Type: Permanent, Full‑Time
• Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000. This is a pay grade 10A role, with a salary range of $126,739.26 - $190,213.97. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation, please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.