Director, External Relations (Permanent, Full-Time)

The Blood Connection, Incorporated; Richmond; Hybrid; CAD 136,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Pension contributions

Lifestyle Spending Account

Employer-paid health plans

Job summary

SkilledTradesBC is seeking a Director, External Relations to lead strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs.

The role focuses on elevating the organization’s profile, building partnerships with government, industry, and employers, and guiding communications strategy across departments.

The ideal candidate has a degree in marketing/communications and over a decade in management within government contexts, with strong budgeting and leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• 10+ years in a management role within government organizations.
• Strong financial management background.
• Understanding of MAR/COM principles, strategies, and techniques.
• Development and execution of strategies to support business strategies.
• 5+ years in marketing, corporate communications, digital communications, branding, public and media relations.
• Leading a Communications/Marketing team is desired.
• Knowledge of BC’s trades training and apprenticeship system would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of an annual strategic communications and resource plan, including budgeting, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the communications department.
• Design and execute media relations plans for current and targeted audiences; manage relationships with external public relations agencies and industry partners; oversee digital communications activities.
• Advise the executive team on public affairs and community engagement; secure media coverage for programs, events, and announcements; identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy, including oversight of Sector Advisory Group structure; build relationships with industry representatives, associations, employers, sponsors, apprentices and other stakeholders.
• Develop clear, consistent key messages; coordinate communications across departments; shape internal communications strategy; manage policies, vendors, and measures of effectiveness.
• Lead the team deployment of resources; provide direction and feedback; establish succession plans and foster a positive work environment.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public relations

Media relations

Strategic leadership

Budgeting / financial management

Crisis communications

Education

Post-secondary degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field

10+ years in a management role within government organizations

Strong financial management background

Understanding of MAR/COM principles, strategies, and techniques

5+ years in marketing, corporate communications, digital communications, branding, public and media relations

Leading a Communications/Marketing team is desired

Knowledge of BC’s trades training and apprenticeship system asset

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are currently looking for one (1) Director, External Relations for a permanent, full-time role.

The Director, External Relations provides strategic leadership to enhance awareness, visibility, and understanding of SkilledTradesBC’s mandate, programs, and initiatives. This role maintains deep knowledge of the organization’s business strategies, operating environment, and lines of business to effectively position SkilledTradesBC with internal and external stakeholders. The Director builds and strengthens relationships with community leaders, industry partners, employers, and all levels of government to elevate SkilledTradesBC’s profile and to advance key priorities. Serving as a spokesperson for public affairs and community engagement, the Director identifies and cultivates partnerships that reinforce the organizational mandate. The role also leads the development of strategic opportunities to engage employers and industry stakeholders, promoting the value and benefits of sponsoring apprentices.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES

Marketing and Communications Operations:

• The Director leads the development of an annual strategic communications and resource plan, including budgeting, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the communications department. Responsibilities include designing and executing media relations plans for current and targeted audiences; managing relationships with external public relation agencies and industry partners; and providing oversight of all digital communications activities, social media platforms, and both internal and external corporate websites.
• The Director also ensures the effective implementation of crisis communications protocols and oversees the development of a broad range of marketing and communications initiatives—including events, newsletters, internal web content, email campaigns, and advertising. In addition, the role is accountable for establishing key performance metrics to measure and demonstrate the value and impact of departmental activities.

Public Media and Government Relations:

• The Director serves as a strategic advisor to the executive team and other members of SkilledTradesBC, helping to proactively elevate the organization’s profile and ensure timely, effective responses to media inquiries. The role is responsible for securing appropriate media coverage for programs, events, and announcements, while also identifying opportunities for collaboration that strengthen organizational visibility. The Director will work closely with BC’s Government Communications and Public Engagement team and oversee the development and production of all Crown corporation publications.

Stakeholder Relations:

• The Director leads the development and execution of a comprehensive, multi-faceted stakeholder engagement strategy, including oversight of the Sector Advisory Group structure. The role ensures SkilledTradesBC builds and maintains strong relationships with industry representatives, associations, employers, sponsors, apprentices, and other key stakeholders to support SkilledTradesBC’s mandate and priorities. The Director ensures that the executive and senior leadership teams are regularly informed of emerging industry trends and are equipped with the insights needed to understand stakeholder needs and respond effectively.

Functional Advice and Capacity Building:

• The Director develops clear, consistent key messages for internal and external audiences. Works with all departments to ensure communications are coordinated, brandaligned, and support corporate strategy. The Director shapes and leads SkilledTradesBC’s internal communication strategy that strengthens alignment to the organization’s culture and priorities. The Director also maintains communications policies, procedures, and brand guidelines; manages vendors; measures and reports on communications effectiveness and oversees event presence.

Team Leadership:

• The Director collaborates with the management team to ensure effective deployment of resources; provides clear direction and feedback to staff, including supporting development and training. The role establishes succession plans for both self and managers and ensures development plans are in place for all team members. The Director inspires and holds the team accountable for contributing to SkilledTradesBC’s strategic goals, role models collaborative communication and innovation, and actively fosters a positive, engaging work environment.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• A post-secondary degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field is required; combination of education and work experience will be considered
• 10+ years’ experience in a management role, working within government organizations
• Business acumen and strong financial management background is required
• Understanding of MAR/COM principles, strategies, and techniques is required
• Development and execution of strategies and plans to support business strategies
• 5+ years in marketing, corporate communications, digital communications, branding, public and media relations
• Leading a Communications/Marketing team is desired
• A knowledge of BC’s trades training and apprenticeship system would be an asset

COMPENSATION

Salary Band G: $136,030 - $184,042

SkilledTradesBC offers a highly competitive benefits package and perks which include:

• Hybrid work schedule, flex days, and a 37.50-hour work week,
• Eligible for pension contributions,
• Lifestyle Spending Account, on-site gym,
• Extensive Extended Health and Dental Plans that are 100% employer paid.

Posting Closing Date: Monday, November 16th, 2026