Senior Manager, Communications

National Media Awards Foundation; Toronto; On-site; CAD 133,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Health, Dental, Life, AD&D and LTD for

Health Care Spending Account

Gym membership options

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Parental leave top-up

5 weeks vacation + holidays + sick/pTO

Job summary

Building Ontario Fund seeks a Senior Manager, Communications in Toronto to amplify its work and manage external communications across channels. You will support the communications strategy, oversee content for announcements, media relations and executive engagement, and help build strong government, industry, and community relationships.

You will mentor staff, ensure message accuracy, and guide crisis response while driving innovative, multichannel campaigns that strengthen the BOF brand and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in communications, PR, marketing, journalism.
• At least seven years in communications/public relations with high-profile plans.
• At least three years in a leadership role.
• Bilingualism in French and English is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Act as strategic advisor and provide communications guidance to senior management.
• Build consensus with industry, government and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with experts to ensure accuracy and consistency of materials.
• Identify trends and adjust processes to meet strategic objectives.
• Contribute to multichannel communications that build BOF's brand.
• Oversee external communications for project announcements across channels.
• Support development of communications standards and policies.
• Prepare executives for speaking engagements and events.

Skills

Strategic communications planning

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communication

Leadership

Written communication

Project management

Bilingual English/French (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR/Marketing/Journalism or related field

7+ years in communications/public relations

3+ years in leadership

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Building Ontario Fund (BOF) is seeking Senior Manager, Communications. (This job posting represents an existing vacancy.)

In this role, you’ll report to the Head of Communications and be accountable for amplifying Building Ontario Fund’s work to catalyze investment in priority infrastructure across Ontario and supports adherence to communications frameworks, systems, and standards that enable proactive, integrated and effective external communications.

You will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the organization’s communications strategy and overseeing the day-to-day development, quality control, and distribution of external communications that showcase high-impact projects, public announcements, media relations, executive engagement at events and conferences. It also plays a supportive role in developing and maintaining strong, consensus building relationships across government, industry, and communities while driving innovative, multichannel communications that strengthen BOF’s brand and stakeholder confidence, and generally provides backup support to the Head of Communications as required.

Your day-to-day

• Act as a strategic advisor and provide communications guidance, support and documentation for senior management to support decision-making, in alignment with the Head of Communications.
• Develop and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to build consensus with the industry, government and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with subject-matter experts to ensure accuracy, consistency and congruence of materials and messages.
• Identify and interpret broad trends and contextual changes in external environment and make recommendations regarding formal and informal processes to support achieving strategic objectives.
• Contribute to carrying the message and brand to stakeholders across the province through targeted programs and initiatives to build overall brand for Building Ontario Fund.
• Oversee and contribute to the development and coordination of communications for external project announcements to amplify the profile of Building Ontario Fund’s investments, ensuring clear, timely, and consistent messaging across all channels, including news releases, social media, website, and internal platforms.
• Oversee and contribute to the development and coordination of external communications that amplify corporate priorities, collaborating with internal department staff to gather relevant information, drafting and editing content, and facilitating approvals.
• Ensure that participating staff are adequately prepared and fully briefed on key messages, sensitivities and contentious issues.
• Evaluate executive speaking, panel, and conference participation opportunities; provide recommendations on alignment with BOF priorities; and ensure executives are fully prepared with clear messages, briefing materials, and event-specific guidance.
• Contribute to the development of innovative communication and engagement strategies and initiatives to respond to a dynamic environment in alignment with BOF’s mandate.
• Ensure all external communications meet exacting standards for accuracy, clarity, and quality, applying rigorous review and quality‑control processes across all channels.
• Manage the day-to-day work of the external Communications staff to support an environment and culture of service excellence that respects diversity, encourages all employees to work together to achieve results and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing environment aligned with BOF’s values.
• Support the continuous improvement of communications standards, frameworks, methodologies, policies, guidelines and/or procedures, to ensure consistency and quality across the function.
• Support the development of the department’s operational plans and reporting on performance metrics, program effectiveness, risks and impacts related to the external communications activities.
• Promote and drive innovation and continuous improvement throughout the Communications department and across BOF related to communications programs, services, and initiatives.
• Provide backup support to the Head of Communications, as needed.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Education & experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in communications, journalism, or public relations, including the successful planning and delivery of high-profile communication plans, such as public sector project announcements, for a wide range of stakeholders, and experience in crisis communication.
• Minimum of three (3) years in a leadership capacity.

Knowledge & skills

• Strong knowledge of contemporary communications theories, principles, and practices to provide expert advice, develop and implement strategic communication plans, and coordinate effective communication services; advise internal and external stakeholders on defining communication objectives, crafting key messages, identifying target audiences, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Strong knowledge of information gathering and dissemination techniques with experience in developing communications tools and products for a variety of media to support the announcement and promotion of priority projects
• Knowledge of inclusive communication practices and accessibility standards and legislation (e.g. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2009).
• Solid understanding of the media environment, including risks and opportunities.
• Leadership skills to build individual and team capabilities through direction, collaboration, feedback, and coaching.
• Strong written communication skills to quickly and effectively distill complex information into clear, impactful messages and create compelling, tailored content across external and internal platforms.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to compose relevant communication materials and tools to support the announcement and promotion of projects; assess the quality and relevance of communication materials prepared, identify emerging issues and trends, and anticipate consequences to determine appropriate response.
• Interpersonal, collaboration and partnership‑building skills to comfortably engage directly with executive leadership to quickly build rapport and credibility, help shape strategy and messaging, and ensure cohesive communication.
• Project management skills to plan and deliver communication initiatives.
• Resiliency, organizational, and time management skills to adapt quickly and deliver results in fast‑moving situations and make progress even when the path forward isn’t clear.
• Ability to collaborate strategically with a wide variety of stakeholders and balance the needs and interests of diverse groups, recognizing the unique context and constraints of an independent government agency.
• Ability to build rapport, create connections, and drive engagement with partners.
• Ability to communicate quickly, concisely and convincingly with staff, executives, and other partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy and quality, with the ability to identify inconsistencies, refine messaging, and ensure error‑free communications.
• Bilingualism in French and English, preferred but not required.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Our offices are at 79 Wellington Street W, Toronto and this role also involves travel within Ontario.

As part of the Ontario Public Service, BOF requires employees to work in‑office five (5) days/week.

We recognize that flexibility matters; accommodations and flexible arrangements are available on a case‑by‑case basis for health, accessibility, family or other protected needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Competitive compensation

The expected salary for this role is CA$148,000 for candidates who meet the stated qualifications.

Benefits that prioritize your health & wellbeing

For this position, we offer:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• “Day-1” Health, Dental, Life, AD&D and LTD insurance coverage for you and your dependents
• $750 Health Care Spending Account annually
• Optional supplementary life, AD&D, and critical illness insurance for you and your dependents
• Discounted Corporate Gym Membership Options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pregnancy & Parental Leave Top-up
• Time to recharge including 5 weeks annual vacation time, 13 paid statutory holidays, 6 paid sick days/ year with up to 124 more days of sick leave at 75% of salary

Commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are core to BOF’s strength. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and identities, and hire through a merit-based process.

AI disclosure

BOF uses AI to support documentation and summarization of candidate conversations. We do not currently use AI for screening, assessment, or decision‑making in the recruitment process.

Job Criteria

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Marketing and Public Relations
• Industries: Investment Banking and Financial Services