Director, Public Affairs

Our priority is the health and wellness of employees and the people of Ontario. As such, this position may involve working from home for all or part of the duration of this position. The WSIB model mixes working from home, office and field. When it is safe to do so, this position may be asked to work in an office.
About the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

We're here to help. When an injury or illness happens on the job, we move quickly to provide wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people get back to work. Funded by businesses, we also provide no-fault collective liability insurance and access to industry-specific health and safety information. We are one of the largest insurance organizations in North America covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces across Ontario. For more information, visit wsib.ca.

At the WSIB, you'll have the opportunity to:
• explore many career paths and follow your passion
• continuously learn and grow professionally
• be recognized for the great work you do
• participate in programs that support your health and wellbeing

You'll also receive a competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefit package and defined benefit pension plan.

Salary From: $110,924.37

What can I expect to do in this role?

Lead the planning, development, delivery and management of public affairs programs, products and services to meet the diverse business needs and values of the WSIB to enhance understanding and perceptions of WSIB programs and services among staff and the public. Manage outcomes being achieved by the team(s) related to quality, risk management and customer services in accordance with established standards and protocols.

Provide senior strategic communications expertise to WSIB senior executives, management, internal and external stakeholders on media relations, marketing, issues management and key enterprise transformation initiatives.

Establish continuous communication mechanisms to update all business leaders and stakeholders. Socialize key decisions. Work collaboratively to ensure consistency in internal and external messaging.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication linkages internally with various senior management.

Lead the creation of transformation stakeholder management and change communication strategies. Oversee the execution of multiple communication plan(s) and provide support and leadership to Communications Managers in the delivery of their communication plan(s).

Facilitate communication across program streams, including key learning.

The Director also functions as a full member of the Communications divisional management team with accompanying responsibilities and acts as a back-up to the Vice President.

How do I qualify?

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:
1. Lead the effective planning, development and delivery of the programs, products and services within the Public Affairs branch through teams. This includes:
• Development and implementation of media relations strategies and plans
• Professional writing, editing and coordination of communication products to support issues management and media relations
• Environmental scanning and issues monitoring
• Management of media inquiries
• Marketing and brand management
• Leader Communications including speeches and other products developed for the Chair and President and CEO

2. Participate with the VP in developing short and long term business plans and setting of goals and objectives for the Branch which support and align with the divisional and organizational strategic direction.

• Represent the VP on various committees and working groups within the WSIB and externally

3. Provide senior strategic communications expertise and advice to WSIB management, internal and external stakeholders on key enterprise transformation initiatives. Establish continuous communication mechanism to update all business leaders and stakeholders. Socialize key decisions. Work closely with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure consistency in internal and external messaging. On an ongoing basis, identify and monitor emerging trends, issues and legislative changes to determine the potential for impact on services, resources or policies and make recommendations to the VP on possible solutions and short and long term courses of action

4. Participate in confidential issues or crisis management and strategy development related to communications for operational issues; identify issues, impacts and implications of options and recommend effective strategies/solutions


5. Provide effective leadership to staff and ensure section is adequately and competently staffed which includes identifying resource requirements, conducting the hiring process, assisting staff in development personal training/career plans, establishing and monitoring performance objectives and reviews

6. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication linkages internally with various senior as required to identify needs, discuss and resolve issues and exchange information of mutual concern


7. Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required

Job Requirements:

1. Education (Level and Specialty / Discipline):
• University degree or equivalent with a specialty in communications or public relations/affairs is preferred
2. Experience (Years of Related Experience and Type of Experience):
• Minimum of 10 years of communications and public relations experience is preferred
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We respect and value the diversity of our people. We strive to create an environment where employees can be themselves and where our differences are celebrated.
The WSIB is committed to being accessible and inclusive, and following barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when we contact you and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Disclosing conflicts of interest

As public servants, employees at the WSIB have a responsibility to act in an ethical way at all times to create a respectful workplace and maintain public trust. Job applicants are required to disclose any circumstance that could result in a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is any situation where your private interests may impair or be perceived to impair the decisions you make in your official capacity. This may include: political activity, directorship, other outside employment and certain personal relationships (e.g. with current WSIB employees, customers and/or stakeholders). If you have any questions about conflict of interest obligations and/or how to make a disclosure, please contact the Talent Acquisition Centre at talentacquisitioncentre@wsib.on.ca.

Privacy information:

We collect personal information from your resume, application, cover letter and references under the authority of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. The Talent Acquisition Centre and WSIB hiring parties will used this information to assess/validate your qualifications, determine if you meet the requirements of vacant positions and/or gather information relevant for recruitment purposes. If you have questions or concerns regarding the collection and use of your personal information, please contact the WSIB's Privacy Office at privacy_office@wsib.on.ca. The Privacy Office cannot provide information about the status of your application.

Application Instructions:

As a precondition of employment, the WSIB requires that prospective candidates undergo a criminal records name check any time before or after they are hired.

To apply for this position, please submit your application on the WSIB Careers Site - https://www.wsib.ca/en/careers - by January 24, 2022

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Monday, January 24, 2022 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.