Sr Advisor, Strategic Communications & Media Relations, Bilingual

Jobtailor; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Ottawa seeks an experienced leader to head integrated media, public affairs, and corporate communications. You will manage media relations, craft speeches and op-eds, and position executives as thought leaders while guiding crisis response and stakeholder engagement.

The role requires 5+ years in communications, bilingual English/French, and the ability to lead a team and collaborate across departments. Security clearances are required and non-profit experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications with a focus on media relations, content development, and executive/corporate communications.
• Experience creating high-quality content across platforms including speeches, op-eds, social media, and newsletters.
• Experience leading or supervising staff with coaching and development support.
• Bilingualism in English and French is required.
• Candidates must pass all required security clearances.
• Knowledge of Indigenous languages and Indigenous cultures is an asset.
• Experience in the non-profit or charitable sector is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated media, public affairs, and corporate communications strategies.
• Manage media relations, journalist and media outlet relationships, media liaison and spokesperson activities.
• Create media briefs, talking points, speeches, op-eds, executive correspondence, and stakeholder communications.
• Position organizational leaders as thought leaders and subject matter experts.
• Lead crisis communications and issues management with frameworks and rapid response strategies.
• Advise senior leadership on reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
• Assess and mitigate reputational risks with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent messaging across channels and departments.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members through performance management and development.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and ED&I initiatives.
• Lead and support strategic partnerships and priority projects.
• Report to the Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis comms

Executive comms

Bilingual ENG/FR

Stakeholder engage

Education

Post-secondary degree

Job description

• Develop and lead integrated media, public affairs, and corporate communications strategies
• Manage media relations, journalist and media outlet relationships, media liaison and spokesperson activities
• Create media briefs, talking points, speeches, op-eds, executive correspondence, and stakeholder communications
• Position organizational leaders as thought leaders and subject matter experts
• Lead crisis communications and issues management, including crisis frameworks, response plans, and rapid response strategies
• Advise senior leadership on reputation management, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and sensitive communications
• Assess and mitigate reputational risks with internal stakeholders
• Ensure consistent messaging across communication channels and departments
• Lead, coach, and develop team members through performance management, goal setting, professional development, engagement initiatives, and workload planning
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
• Lead and support strategic partnerships, special projects, priority initiatives, and other assigned projects
• Report to the Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer

Requirements

• Post-secondary degree or a combination of relevant education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, with a focus on media relations, content development, and executive and/or corporate communications
• Demonstrated experience in media relations, executive communications, and developing high-quality content across multiple platforms, including speeches, op-eds, social media, and newsletters
• Experience working collaboratively and independently
• Experience leading or supervising staff, including coaching, feedback, and professional development support
• Bilingualism in English and French is required
• Candidates must successfully pass all required security clearances
• Knowledge of Indigenous languages is considered an asset
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Indigenous cultures within Canada is considered an asset
• Experience working in or with the non-profit or charitable sector is considered an asset#
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of internal and external communications practices, including brand management, digital communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, adaptability, and judgment skills

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and leading integrated media and corporate communications strategies, with a strong focus on media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. Proficient in creating high-quality content and managing team performance while ensuring consistent messaging across various communication channels.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Media Relations
• Crisis Communications
• Executive Communications
• Bilingualism in English and French
• Stakeholder Engagement

Hard Skills

• Content Development
• Public Affairs Strategy
• Reputation Management
• Project Management
• Performance Management

Soft Skills

• Exceptional Written Communication
• Exceptional Verbal Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-Solving

Industry Keywords

• Indigenous Cultures
• Non-Profit Sector
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Digital Communications
• Brand Management