Manager, Corporate Communications

Skilled Trades Ontario / Métiers spécialisés Ontario; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) seeks a Manager, Corporate Communications to lead strategic communications and the creation of key materials. You will partner with media, stakeholders and the public to advance STO’s mandate and support internal and external messaging.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Relations and Public Affairs, you will manage a team, vendors and budgets while developing communications plans, speeches and media materials for high-level stakeholders including the Registrar

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• At least seven years of experience in communications and/or media relations.
• Experience with budgets, resource planning and action plans.
• Strong project management skills and vendor management.
• Experience coaching employees, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of media and government relations tactics.
• Strong political acuity.
• Trades-related experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications plans to support STO priorities.
• Strategize, research, and produce strategic communications materials including briefs, news releases, and backgrounders.
• Arrange interviews and coordinate senior STO participation.
• Collaborate with the Registrar’s Office on speeches and presentations for the Registrar & CEO and board members.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders and media outlets.
• Manage STO’s social media channels to promote STO.
• Oversee the communications and media relations team and budget.
• Support other program areas on various initiatives.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Stakeholder relations

Project management

Team leadership

Budget planning

Written communications

Verbal communications

Education

Post-secondary degree in communications/journalism/marketing/public relations or related field

Job description

Position Title: Manager, Corporate Communications

Position Type: Fixed Term

Contract Duration: Nine (9) months

Location: Mississauga, ON

Job Grade: 7

Hiring Range: $105,677.00 to $147,964.00/year

Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week

Reporting to: Director, Strategic Relations and Public Affairs

This posting is applicable to: Internal/External Applicants

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a Crown agency responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes:

• Establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams.
• Administering apprenticeship programs, including approving apprentices and sponsors, registering training agreements and assessing applications for apprenticeship program completion.
• Issuing certificates of apprenticeship to completed Ontario apprentices.
• Assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
• Administering exams, including certifying exams, in all trades subject to certifying exams.
• Issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams.
• Renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades.
• Maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades.
• Researching apprenticeships and the trades.

We are currently seeking a Manager, Corporate Communications, to develop and deliver strategic communications activities and lead the development, design, and production of key communications products in support of the STO’s mandate.

Working with a dedicated team, this position will support the development of internal and external messaging, foster relationships with key members of the media, stakeholders and the public, serve as a communications partner in projects, manage relationships with external vendors and develop communication materials for media relations and brand-centric marketing collateral.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications plans to support the priorities of STO.
• Strategize, research, develop and execute a range of strategic communications products and materials including but not limited to communications and marketing plans, issue briefing notes, news releases, key messages, backgrounders, questions and answers.
• Effectively respond to interview requests, proactively gain media interviews and arrange for senior STO team members to participate.
• Work with the Registrar’s Office in communications planning and preparation of speeches and
• presentations for the Registrar & CEO and board members.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and media outlets.
• From a media relations perspective, manage a variety of social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and other emerging platforms to promote STO.
• Manage the communications and media relations team members and budget.
• Provide support to the other program areas, as needed, on a variety of initiatives.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in communications and/or media relations, including demonstrated successful experience working with the media and experience in strategic communications, marketing and issues management.
• Experience identifying resource requirements, budgets, as well as developing action plans, campaigns, initiatives, events and managing the successful implementation of these strategies.
• Project management skills to plan, manage and execute strategies and undertake post-strategy evaluations and to manage external service providers and vendors.
• Experience managing and coaching employees, preferably within a unionized environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of media and government relations tactics.
• Highly developed political acuity.
• Skilled trades-related experience would be considered an asset.

Our Recruitment Process Includes

• Step 1: Resume Screening
• Step 2: Phone Screening
• Step 3: Panel Interview(s)/Assignment
• Step 4: Selection
• Step 5: Offer of Employment

Please submit your application by October 2, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will only contact those whose skills, knowledge, and experience most closely match the requirements of the position.

Skilled Trades Ontario embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and Skilled Trades Ontario’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Skilled Trades Ontario. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Skilled Trades Ontario is an equal opportunity employer.