*Amended Job Title*Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.
As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.
If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.
About the job
Legal Aid Ontario is seeking a Director of Communications to lead its Communications Department. With strong leadership skills and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion the Director will strategically drive the development and execution of proactive and reactive communications strategies, projects and programs to support the Board, the executive, and internal corporate clients on a wide variety of internal and external communications matters.
Reporting to: Vice President, Strategy and Public Affairs
What you bring to the team
Key accountabilities
- Provides strong and supportive leadership to the Communications Department
- Provides advice to the Vice President on optimal organizational structure of the Communications Department
- Promotes equity, diversity and inclusion
- Promotes LAO's commitment to communicating with and providing services to the public in French
- Provides sophisticated strategic advice on communications issues, both regarding proactive initiatives and responses to acute issues
- Leads all internal and external corporate communications in alignment with LAO's Strategic Plan, corporate interests and public sector norms
- Provides strategic and tactical communications support to the Board of Directors, the executive team, and LAO staff on key files, including communications about Board decisions, LAO's Rules and Policies, and related public engagement
- Anticipates communications needs and issues, and develops sophisticated communications/issues management plans as needed, to include analysis, strategy, tactics, messaging, risk identification and mitigation, options and recommendations
- Oversees all media relations and crisis communications
- Leads evaluation of LAO's internal and external digital communications platforms and channels, including LAO's website and intranet, and social media, identifying challenges and opportunities; develops and oversees the execution of strategies for improvement.
- Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with direct reports, senior management team, staff and key external contacts, including media
- Proactively gains and maintains thorough knowledge of LAO, its mandate, service model, culture, client needs, stakeholders, existing and emerging opportunities and risks, and LAO's public sector environment
- Proactively identifies communications needs and opportunities in consideration of trends and activity in the broader justice sector in Ontario and nationally
- Ensures that services for internal corporate clients, including the work product and the strategic contribution of the Communications Department to corporate work, is of high quality and is aligned with public sector norms and principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
- Oversees and approves the work product of the Communications Department, including communications plans, corporate writing, news releases, media responses, and promotional materials
Required skills & experience
- University degree in related field (Journalism, Political Science, Communications, Public Administration) with minimum five years in a management role in a communications and public affairs environment or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- Demonstrated understanding of the public sector environment
- Strategic thinker with expertise in anticipating opportunities and risks, and providing sophisticated communications advice in real time
- Ability to operate in a complex public sector environment
- Strong experience in all elements of people management
- Experience building strong teams tailored to business needs and corporate priorities
- Experience developing and successfully implementing proactive and reactive corporate communications strategies and public relations initiatives to support corporate goals, mitigate reputational risk, in consideration of the perspective and interests of clients, service providers, and the public
- Experience managing projects from end to end, defining deliverables, establishing performance measures, and adhering to timelines
- Excellent corporate communication skills, including writing and editing for various internal and external audiences
- Strong presentation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of audiences, including the Board of Directors, clients, front-line staff, service providers, justice sector partners, and the media
- Strong orientation toward client service, both with respect to LAO's clients, and with respect to providing excellent service to internal corporate clients
- Public sector experience is strongly preferred
To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and a dated writing sample: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/more/corporate/careers/All applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.
First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position. Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply. Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.
Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
Equity Statement
Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available upon request.
Legal Aid Ontario encourages applicants from equity seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis descent, persons with disabilities, women, members of racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.