Director, Communications and Engagement

Band 4 – Permanent, Full-Time
Salary Range: $105,900.12 – $140,800.04
Anticipated Starting Salary: $114,152.46 (+5% upon successful completion of probation)
Victoria, B.C.

Apply your skills in strategic communications and media relations in an organization committed to fairness for all British Columbians

Reporting to the Deputy Ombudsperson, Strategic Outreach and Inclusion, the Director, Communications and Engagement is responsible for: strategic external and internal communications planning, execution and evaluation; brand, web and social media management; media relations and issues management; public outreach and engagement; and staff and contractor supervision and management.

As BC’s independent voice for fairness and accountability, our office’s work is challenging, meaningful, and rewarding. Join us and become part of a team that is proud of the work we do. Find out more information about what we offer here.

We are striving to build a diverse team to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of British Columbians. We encourage applications from people who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit and/or Indigenous, Black or racialized persons, women, 2SLGBTQ+, people with diverse gender identities or expressions, and/or people with disabilities.

Qualifications:

This position will be of interest to applicants who can demonstrate the required qualifications, including the following:

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary Degree or Diploma in a communications or public engagement-related field (journalism, public relations, marketing, etc.)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior communications leadership role preferably dealing with multiple jurisdictions.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in progressively more responsible communications positions that includes planning, writing, editing, and developing and executing strategic communications plans, and leading the development of communications and engagement tools, services, and products.
• Experience directing issues management, managing organizational risk and reputation, media relations, including direct contact and developing effective relationships with print, radio, and television reporters.
• Experience in the development of strategic outreach and community engagement frameworks as well as direct experience organizing public events and outreach initiatives including coordinating public speaking engagements for high profile leaders.
• Experience providing communications advice and support to senior management of public sector organizations.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience leading a team or formal supervision of others, including performance planning and development and initiation of disciplinary processes.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check (completed if an offer of employment is made).

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• More than 7 years of experience in progressively more responsible communications and/or public engagement positions that includes planning, writing, editing, and
  developing and executing strategic communications and/or engagement plans, and leading the development of communications and engagement tools, services, and
  products.
• Experience applying knowledge and practice of reconciliation, DEI and accessibility in communications and engagement planning and materials.
• Applicants who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit and/or Indigenous, Black or racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, people with diverse gender identities or expressions, and/or people with disabilities.

If you wish to volunteer information about your membership in an equity-deserving group, we ask that you provide a brief statement in your cover letter to the degree that you feel comfortable sharing.  We will hold your application in strictest confidence, sharing it only with those involved in the hiring process. A candidate who meets the requirements assessed in the competitive process and who identifies as a member of an equity-deserving group may be given preference. This does not guarantee an applicant will move forward to the next stage in the process. It is your choice whether to volunteer information.  We will not assume a candidate’s membership in an equity-deserving group if they do not self-identify.

Complete qualifications, including competencies, are outlined in the job profile, which can be found linked at the bottom of this page.

This posting is for one permanent, full-time opportunity. An eligibility list may be established to fill similar future vacancies in a full-time temporary or permanent capacity. Temporary positions may become full-time, permanent status. This position is excluded from union membership. Some travel is required.

To Apply:

Your application package must be submitted by email to: Recruitment@bcombudsperson.ca quoting the competition number 116138 in the subject line.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package, which includes:

1) A cover letter;
2) Your resume.

Your application package must clearly demonstrate how your education and experience meet the qualifications for the position. In describing your education and experience, please pay particular attention to the position description including the competencies and selection criteria.

Following the instructions above, we will consider only those applications received by email no later than 12:00 pm (noon) PDT, Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Incomplete applications or late applications will not be evaluated or acknowledged, and only those applicants who pass all initial screening requirements will be considered for the next step in the selection process. In addition to evaluation of your relevant knowledge, skills and abilities, your cover letter and resume may be used to assess your written communication skills. Candidates who are successful in the initial screening may be asked to complete a written assignment and may proceed to an interview as part of the final selection process.  Please note that Artificial Intelligence detection software may be used to assess applications and written assignments. By submitting my application, you confirm that you have not used AI technology or paraphrasing technology to prepare it.

Applicants who identify as Indigenous may choose to seek assistance with their application by accessing the Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service available through the BC Public Service.

NOTE: To apply for this position, you must be eligible to work in Canada. You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. For further information, please refer to the BC Public Service website.

Education credentials will be subject to verification before an offer of employment is made and will be requested if required. If your degree was obtained outside of Canada, you will need to confirm it has been assessed for equivalency through a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluation Service. Confirmation of equivalency for your degree is required for you to be considered.

As the duties of this position meet the requirements of the Security Screening Policy, a criminal record check will be required if an offer of employment is made.

If you have questions related to the application process, please email the HR Team at Recruitment@bcombudsperson.ca and quote competition number 116138 in the subject line.