Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Relations

Skilled Trades Ontario / Métiers spécialisés Ontario; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Opportunities for professional growth

Job summary

A provincial Crown agency is seeking a Director of Public Affairs & Strategic Relations to lead communications and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years in communications and public affairs, with strong leadership in media relations and crisis management. This role is pivotal in promoting skilled trades and building awareness across Ontario. The agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, offering accommodations upon request.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in communications or public affairs.
• Minimum 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven ability to manage complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop a communications outreach strategy.
• Advise CEO on reputational risks.
• Lead media relations and digital communications.
• Oversee stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Skills

Communications leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic vision

Public policy understanding

Job description

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a provincial Crown agency responsible for modernizing training and certification and promoting the skilled trades as a rewarding and essential career pathway. Communications and stakeholder engagement are central to STO’s mandate, ensuring clear public understanding, strong industry partnerships, and trust across Ontario.

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS & STRATEGIC RELATIONS

The Opportunity

STO is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Relations. Reporting to the Registrar and CEO, the Director will provide enterprise-wide leadership across Communications, Marketing, and Stakeholder Outreach. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing a unified communications and engagement strategy that strengthens STO’s brand, supports the organization’s priorities, and advances awareness of the skilled trades across the province.

The Director will oversee province-wide engagement through regional hubs, lead media and public relations activities, guide issues and crisis communications, and serve as a senior spokesperson when required. The role also provides oversight for major outreach initiatives, including the Skilled Trades Ontario Summit and participation in Level Up! Career Fairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated communications and stakeholder outreach strategy aligned with STO’s mandate and multi-year priorities
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and senior leadership on reputational risk, public positioning, and emerging issues
• Lead media relations, digital communications, brand management, and crisis communications
• Oversee province-wide stakeholder engagement initiatives involving industry partners, unions, educators, employers, sponsors, and community organizations
• Direct planning and execution of major events and outreach initiatives across Ontario
• Ensure consistent, clear messaging across all internal and external channels
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Oversee departmental budgets, contracts, and performance metrics

About You

You are a seasoned communications leader with strong sector experience and the ability to operate confidently in politically sensitive environments. You bring strategic vision along with the operational discipline to translate priorities into measurable outcomes.

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in communications, public affairs, public policy, or stakeholder engagement, including a minimum of 3 years in a senior leadership role
• Demonstrated experience advising executives and serving as a trusted strategic communications advisor
• Proven success leading media relations and managing complex or high-profile issues
• Experience overseeing province-wide or multi-stakeholder engagement initiatives
• Strong understanding of Ontario’s public policy and skilled trades landscape, or comparable regulatory environment
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• You are a collaborative, credible and composed leader who builds trust across diverse stakeholder groups and can balance long-term strategic thinking with practical execution.

Why Join Skilled Trades Ontario

This role offers the opportunity to shape how skilled trades are understood and promoted across Ontario. As a senior leader within a modern Crown agency, you will influence public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and organizational reputation at a critical time of growth and transformation.

Skilled Trades Ontario is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace. Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment process.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume by March 27th, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. If you have questions or require accommodations, please contact Margaret Murphy at 416-237-1500 x.234 or at [e-mail].