Senior Communications Advisor

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid group insurance

RRSP contributions

Annual training allowance

Health and wellness allowance

Relocation allowance

Vacation – starting at 3 weeks

Job summary

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) in Ottawa, ON, invites applications for a Senior Communications Advisor to lead strategic communications, events, and campaigns advancing ITK’s mandate as the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada. This hands-on, senior role combines strategy and execution across media relations, content leadership, and policy support.

The advisor will integrate ITK teams, craft messaging with cultural integrity, and manage high-profile initiatives and crises.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Experience leading events or large projects.
• Experience with Inuit/Indigenous organizations preferred.
• Experience in political, advocacy, or government setting is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, evaluate integrated communications strategies.
• Lead media relations: media lines, FAQs, news releases, statements, briefings.
• Provide messaging guidance and crisis/issues management.
• Oversee content across ITK channels (website, social, newsletters, reports).
• Plan ITK-led events and national gatherings.
• Coordinate with partners and vendors for events and campaigns.

Skills

Inuit regions knowledge

Strategic communications

Event/project management

Writing/editing

Media relations

Time/budget management

WordPress & digital tools

Education

Degree in Communications/Journalism/Political Science/Indigenous Studies/Public Affairs

Tools

WordPress

Microsoft Office

Social media platforms

Job description

ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕋᓱᐊᖅᑐ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖏᕈᑎᐅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐸᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕐᑎᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᓄᑦ. ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑐᕐᐸᑦᓯ ᐅᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕋᓱᐊᖃᑕᐅᓪᓐᔪᓯ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑖ ᓓᑦ ᐇ…

Iqqanaijaaqtaarasuaqtut ilagijauqataqullungi Inuit Nunanganni Nunalirinirnmut Angirutiusimajunut sivulliqpautauniaqtut iqqanaijaaqtaartitaujunnaqtunut. Ikajuqturpatsi iqqanaijaaqtaarasuaqataujusi nalnaqsiqullusi ilagijauqataunitsinnik.

APPLICANTS WHO ARE REGISTERED UNDER AN INUIT LAND CLAIMS AGREEMENT WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY HIRING. WE ENCOURAGE INUIT APPLICANTS TO SELF-IDENTIFY. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ENSURE AUTHENTICITY OF INUIT OR OTHER INDIGENOUS IDENTITY CLAIMS.

Closing Date: September 7, 2026

Senior Communications Advisor - Existing position

Band 4: $70,276.62 - $87,845.78 **Compensation is aligned with internal equity and market benchmarks. In limited circumstances, offers above the posted range may be considered for candidates with exceptional qualifications or highly specialized expertise**

This role, as with all positions at ITK is 100% in-office, requires being in the office full-time at 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON.

We do not use AI to assess or screen applications. Our hiring process is grounded in human review and values lived experience, cultural competency, and diverse career paths, in addition to formal education and work experience.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Communications Advisor is responsible for anticipating, planning, and delivering strategic communications, events, and campaigns that advance ITK’s mandate as the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada.

This is a hands-on, senior role that combines strategic planning, media relations, event and project management, and content leadership. The Advisor integrates across ITK teams to support policy advancement and advocacy.

The successful candidate will bring experience in both communications strategy and execution, ensuring ITK’s priorities are communicated with clarity, cultural integrity, and impact to Inuit, partners, and the Canadian public.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Communications & Media Relations

• Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated communications strategies
• Lead proactive and responsive media relations: prepare media lines, FAQs, news releases, statements, backgrounders, and coordinate interviews.
• Provide counsel on messaging, media tactics, and reputational risk; prepare Q&As, briefing materials, and speaking points.
• Support issues management and crisis response as needed.

Event & Project Management

• Lead the planning and execution of ITK-led events, announcements, and national gatherings.
• Develop event recommendations and communications plans that reflect Inuit values and strengthen relationships with Inuit regions and partners.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring accountability and smooth execution.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and partners to deliver professional, culturally grounded events and campaigns.

Content Development

• Oversee content creation across ITK channels (social media, website, newsletters, reports, speeches, presentations).
• Ensure accessibility, accuracy, and cultural integrity in all ITK materials.
• Contribute to ITK publications including annual reports, quarterly reports, and the magazine.

Team Integration

• Work closely with managers across ITK to anticipate communications needs and develop tailored plans for policy-specific initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional planning and resource allocation.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Track communications performance with analytics and media monitoring.
• Report regularly with insights and recommendations.
• Maintain awareness of political and media trends affecting Inuit and Indigenous organizations.

KEY CONTACTS

INTERNAL CONTACTS

• Communications Director and department
• Corporate Services and Executive department as required for approvals.
• Departments within ITK serve as client base.

EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Inuit regions
• Different levels of Government
• ITK partners

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of Inuit regions, history, and political structures.
• Experience in both strategic communications and event/project management.
• Excellent writing and editing skills; ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; sensitive, empathetic, and culturally aware.
• Media relations expertise, including spokesperson preparation and issues management.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, budgets, and projects concurrently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and web content management (WordPress).
• Basic photography and design/layout knowledge an asset.

EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs.
• Demonstrated experience leading events and/or large projects.
• Previous work with an Inuit or Indigenous organization strongly preferred.
• Experience in a political, advocacy, or government setting is an asset.

EDUCATION

• Degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

BENEFITS

Conditional to ITK’s Human Resources Policies, you may be eligible for:

• 100% employer-paid group insurance upon hire
• Employer RRSP contributions
• Annual training allowance
• Excellent health and wellness allowance
• Relocation allowance
• Vacation – starting at 3 weeks/year
• Paid Christmas break (usually between Xmas and New Year)
• Candidates with exceptional skills or experience may be considered for compensation above the posted range.

*Applicants who are registered under an Inuit Land Claims Agreement will be given priority hiring. We encourage Inuit applicants to self-identify. We reserve the right to ensure authenticity of Inuit or other Indigenous identity claims.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for their interest in ITK however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.