Senior Communications Strategist, Bilingual

TAG HR; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Medical and dental coverage

3 weeks vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Turtle Island Staffing is seeking a Senior Communications Strategist to develop and implement strategic communications initiatives aligned with our mandate and priorities. You will provide guidance to senior leadership, manage media relations, and craft communications products across internal and external audiences.

The role emphasizes culturally responsive messaging, engagement with Indigenous communities, and a cross-functional team approach.

Qualifications

• Bilingualism in English and French with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, media, marketing, public policy, or related field.
• 4–6 years of professional experience in strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, or related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible communications products.
• Demonstrated ability to develop communications materials such as press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.
• Strong understanding of communications planning, message development, and media readiness for public-facing initiatives and senior leadership communications.
• Strong relationship-building skills with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, external partners, and internal colleagues.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality while managing sensitive information.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of digital communications, social media platforms, website content management, and multimedia storytelling.
• Ability to coordinate across teams and support multiple concurrent projects with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to travel across Canada, as required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Manager to develop and implement internal and external communications plans, strategies, and campaigns.
• Develop communications products including press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leadership on messaging, media readiness, and reputational risk.
• Lead and support media relations activities, including proactive media planning, spokesperson preparation, press releases, and media materials.
• Support communications planning and delivery for public engagements, announcements, national initiatives, and special projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, and external partners to support outreach and engagement efforts.
• Provide direction on digital and multimedia storytelling across social media, web platforms, and campaign channels.
• Work with the Innovation Multimedia Coordinator to develop engaging digital content, including short-form videos, reels, and long-form video content for YouTube.
• Monitor website performance and digital engagement metrics to identify opportunities to strengthen user experience, reach, and brand awareness.
• Review and edit communications materials to ensure clarity, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with priorities and values.
• Coordinate communications timelines, workflows, approvals, and quality control across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Manager on the development of the annual report.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Strategic communications

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, media, marketing, public policy, or related field

Job description

Reporting to the Manager of Communications, the Senior Communications Strategist supports the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives that advance the mandate and priorities. The role provides strategic communications advice and support to help ensure the work is communicated clearly, accurately, and in alignment with its values

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Manager to develop and implement internal and external communications plans, strategies, and campaigns that support the mandate and priorities.
• Develop communications products including press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leadership on messaging, media readiness, and reputational risk.
• Lead and support media relations activities, including proactive media planning, spokesperson preparation, press releases, and media materials.
• Support communications planning and delivery for public engagements, announcements, national initiatives, and special projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, and external partners to support outreach and engagement efforts.
• Provide direction on digital and multimedia storytelling across social media, web platforms, and campaign channels.
• Work with the Innovation Multimedia Coordinator to develop engaging digital content, including short-form videos, reels, and long-form video content for YouTube.
• Monitor website performance and digital engagement metrics to identify opportunities to strengthen user experience, reach, and brand awareness.
• Review and edit communications materials to ensure clarity, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with priorities and values.
• Coordinate communications timelines, workflows, approvals, and quality control across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Manager on the development of the annual report.

Qualifications Required:

• Bilingualism in English and French with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, media, marketing, public policy, or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
• 4–6 years of professional experience in strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible, and culturally responsive communications products.
• Demonstrated ability to develop communications materials such as press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.
• Strong understanding of communications planning, message development, and media readiness in support of public-facing initiatives and senior leadership communications.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, external partners, and internal colleagues.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while managing sensitive information.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of digital communications, social media platforms, website content management, and multimedia storytelling.
• Ability to coordinate across teams and support multiple concurrent projects with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to travel across Canada, as required.

Assets

• Previous experience working with Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, or Indigenous-led initiatives is considered a strong asset.
• Participation in a pension plan
• Medical and dental coverage
• Generous paid vacation starting at three weeks annually
• Additional paid leave throughout the year, including federal and provincial holidays
• A supportive, collaborative work environment

Compensation

$80,000-$95,000/year

Hybrid (3 days on-site, 2 days off-site)

In accordance with Ontario's Pay Transparency laws, Turtle Island Staffing is committed to providing clear and accessible information regarding compensation. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

At Turtle Island Staffing, we believe hiring should be human-led. We do not use artificial intelligence to screen out applicants. Every application is reviewed by a real person, because people deserve to be seen as more than keywords.