Director of Communications And Public Relations

Director, Communications & Public Relations Ottawa, ON Job Summary The Director, Communications & Public Relations is responsible for shaping and executing communication strategies to enhance public awareness and stakeholder engagement. This role involves developing key messaging, media relations, and thought leadership initiatives to advance organizational priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director, Communications, the ideal candidate is a strategic and results-driven communicator with experience in public affairs, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or policy-driven environments. The incumbent must be bilingual (English & French). Key Responsibilities Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with organizational objectives. Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on public relations and communications matters. Craft compelling messaging, press releases, reports, and other communication materials. Oversee website content and social media presence to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key journalists, reporters, and media outlets. Prepare media materials, including backgrounders, Q&As, and advisories. Identify and manage media opportunities such as interviews, op-eds, and feature articles. Monitor media coverage and assess its impact to refine communication strategies. Lead initiatives to enhance public understanding of industry-related issues. Develop partnerships with key stakeholders, including advocacy groups and industry associations. Identify high-impact events, conferences, and forums for organizational participation. Manage internal communications efforts to ensure alignment across teams and members. Support executive leadership with speaking notes, briefing materials, and event preparation. Lead crisis communication strategies and provide guidance on reputational risk management. Oversee performance metrics, including polling and analytics, to evaluate communication efforts. Coordinate with external agencies and consultants to enhance communication initiatives. Foster relationships with industry peers to exchange best practices and drive collaboration. Ensure brand consistency across marketing collateral, including digital and print materials. Perform additional duties as assigned by senior leadership. Qualifications University degree or college diploma in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in communications and public relations. Strong background in strategic communications, media relations, and issues management. Proven success in executing public relations campaigns that secure media coverage. Bilingualism (English & French) is required. Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills, with an ability to tailor messages to various audiences. Strong knowledge of media landscapes and relationships with national and regional media. Understanding of the Parliamentary Press Gallery (Ottawa) is an asset. High level of diplomacy, discretion, and leadership capabilities. Ability to simplify complex information for broad audiences. Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Experience working in high-pressure environments with tight deadlines. Knowledge of Canada’s healthcare landscape is a strong asset. Thank you in advance for your interest, only individuals deemed to have the skill set and experience to fit the role will be contacted. Lock Search Group is a National Executive Recruitment firm with 11 offices in Canada and one in the United States, a staff of more than 30 Consultants and Associates, and expertise in 11 major disciplines. Our mission is to provide exceptional Recruitment and Consulting Services to clients and candidates. We apply our experience and expertise to deliver solutions with a personalized approach that focuses on client needs and candidate goals. Follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/lock-search-group)

Location: Montréal North, CA

Posted Date: 2/4/2025