Are you an experienced communications leader who thrives in fast-paced and dynamic environments? Are you looking for your next leadership opportunity? If so, please consider applying for this role with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
The Communications Department within the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario is seeking an experienced leader to join their team as the Assistant Director, Strategic Communications.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario is an administrative tribunal responsible for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
The Communications team:• works with the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, and divisions to identify communications needs and opportunities;
• researches, develops, and implements strategic communications plans;
• prepares news releases, communications and marketing materials, speeches, and presentations;
• develops and implements corporate communications strategies
• develops and implements strategic, creative marketing campaigns to support the IPC's multi-year strategic plan;
• manages the IPC's website and digital communications initiatives
• responds to inquiries from members of the public and institutions we oversee through its public contacts unit
• coordinates and executes IPC events and coordinates IPC presence at external stakeholder events and conferences
About the job
About the RoleThe Assistant Director, Strategic Communications leads the IPC's strategic and corporate communications function. This role provides expert advice to senior leadership and oversees a team responsible for issues management, media relations, digital and social media, public education, and marketing. The position plays a key role in advancing IPC priorities through proactive, integrated, and research driven communications strategies
What can I expect to do in this role?Reporting to the Director of Communications, you will:
• Manage a full range of communications functions, including strategic communications, issues management and media relations, internal/corporate communications, public contacts, and translation services
• Lead a team of communications professionals to provide communications expertise and advice and to develop, implement, evaluate, and support strategic communications planning for the IPC and contribute to business, operational, and financial planning
• Provide strategic communications expertise and advice to senior executives, including the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, senior management, and staff on communications strategies, options, products, recommendations, risks, and issues management
• Manage the development of proactive and innovative integrated communications plans and products that support the IPC's multi-year strategic plan
• Provide quality assurance, including editing and proofreading, for a broad range of communications products to ensure they are clear, accurate, consistent, and aligned with IPC positioning, messaging, and organizational standards;
• Work across department units and foster and maintain critical linkages and partnerships with IPC divisions.
What you bring to the team
How do I qualify?
You will qualify for this position by demonstrating:
Education and Experience:• 10+ years of relevant experience senior level experience in strategic communications, media relations, issues management, or public sector communications.
• 3+ years managing or supervising a team, managing budgets, and delivering complex, multi year initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree with a Communications or related major.
Knowledge Requirements:• Strategic communications planning, digital and social media, marketing, and public engagement.
• Issues management, stakeholder relations, and research based communications practices.
• Canadian Press editorial standards, plain language and accessibility principles, Public sector governance, legislative environments, and accountability frameworks.
Skills and Abilities:• Strong leadership, judgment, and decision making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including briefing senior executives.
• Proven ability to build partnerships, influence decision makers, and manage competing priorities.
Asset Qualifications• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in French.
• Masters in communications or related major.
What's in it for you?
• A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model (minimum in office attendance: six to eight days per month).
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Opportunity to work in a high performing organization dedicated to protecting the access and privacy rights of Ontarians.
• Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits.
• Pension plan (permanent positions).
• Maternity and parental leave top up (permanent positions).
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: