Director, Communications

Ontario Public Service Leadership | Leadership dans la fonction publique de l’Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ontario Public Service is seeking a Director of Communications to lead French-language communications initiatives. This executive role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder management, and the delivery of integrated communication strategies to enhance the visibility of Francophone communities across Ontario. Ideal candidates will be highly skilled in both English and French, with a proven record in communications and public relations.

Benefits

Defined-benefit lifetime pension plan

100% employer-paid health, dental, and life benefits

$750-per-year wellness spending account

25 days vacation, increased after 15 years

Parental leave top-up benefits

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead complex teams in a bilingual environment.
• Experience with strategic communications and issues management.
• Strong stakeholder relationships and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategies and media relations.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership in both French and English.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and public relations activities.

Skills

Leadership

Bilingual Communication

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Public Relations, or related field

Job description

Apply By: Sunday, June 29, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Strengthen Francophone communications across Ontario

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) brings world-class communications, policy and programs to life in service of people across the province. As communicators in the public service, we deliver expert advice, client-focused service, and wide-reaching public awareness campaigns. At the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, this role leads high-profile, bilingual communications strategies and products to ensure Francophone communities can participate in the social, economic and political life of the province while maintaining their linguistic and cultural heritage.

The Director, Communications, provides executive leadership and direction in the planning, development and delivery of strategic communications, media relations, issues management and advisory services. They are a member of a small, Francophone senior leadership team that supports the needs and interests of the French speaking population of Ontario and ensures that Francophones have access to French language services in designated areas of the province. They are also a member of a diverse government-wide communications community. Put your expertise and skill in both of Ontario's official languages to work in service of Francophone communities and people across the province.

To make this happen, the Director leads the development, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies and initiatives. This involves strategizing and leading programs that promote, publicize, and communicate ministry program and policy initiatives in alignment with provincial strategic objectives that support the Francophone community.

About the job

Leading the Communications Branch and reporting to the Deputy Minister, you will:

• develop and implement integrated communications frameworks and strategies that effectively create public awareness of the ministry's services and programs
• collect and evaluate research while identifying insights that will influence both program delivery and communications approaches
• ensure a French-language lens is applied to the development of strategic communications planning; and with counterparts in the federal government and other provinces and territories to facilitate a shared understanding of issues affecting Francophone communities
• deliver expert level client service to the Minister of Francophone Affairs and the minister's office in French.
• provide strategic advice to the Deputy Minister and senior executives on branding and communication strategies, including their alignment with broader government objectives
• represent the ministry in communications and issues management planning with key stakeholders and other OPS ministries
• foster and promote a positive, productive team environment and a culture of communications excellence across the ministry
• work with the Communications Directors of all Ontario ministries to strengthen access to French-language services in their programs and enhance the visibility of Ontario Francophone communities

What you bring to the team

Executive Leadership

You are a seasoned leader and influential communications professional with proven ability and experience to:

• lead in a complex environment, guiding teams to deliver results
• develop, manage and implement large-scale and multi-faceted strategies that are comprehensive and effective in accomplishing a specific organizational goal
• present to senior leadership and achieve consensus on plans and priorities
• model leadership by creating and promoting a cross-functional, inclusive team environment and a culture of excellence
• work horizontally to build partnerships with counterparts in areas such as policy, program, operations and legal – as well as ministries across government

Strategic Planning and Communications

You are a strategic and focused communicator that will:

• lead strategic planning and communications, including working with senior management to set objectives and execute strategy
• guide the delivery of high-quality communications products, including news releases, speechs and multimedia content in both French and English
• deliver effective public communication, education and awareness programs with measurable results
• develop capacity in ministry public relations leveraging your established track record of creating, directing and evaluating multi-dimensional communications programs

Issues Management and Stakeholder Management

You are a trusted partner and exceptional collaborator that can:

• anticipate communications issues and program risks and develop plans to remove or mitigate them
• consistently demonstrate political acuity and to build and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders
• lead public relations including event management, consultations and other forms of public engagement

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact [e-mail]. All information discussed related to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more

Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package includes:

• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• 100% employer-paid group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a $750-per-year health and wellness spending account
• 25 days' vacation, increased after 15 years
• parental leave top-up benefits including for adoptive parents
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program

Additional information:

• The successful candidate will be required to have exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written in both French and English. The OPS uses multiple methods to assess candidates for executive positions; these may include resume screening, interviews, assignments, psychometric assessments, simulations and reference checks.