Manager, Communications

We’re seeking a **dynamic and thoughtful Manager, Communications** to join our growing communications team, helping to support both internal and external communications.

This is a newly created position, and you’ll play a key role in defining priorities, improving workflows, and enhancing how we communicate across departments, regions, and key audiences. From engaging our field-based workforce to supporting brand-building initiatives, your work will help ensure our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with our values.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues and leaders across the organization, including senior decision-makers, many of whom are managing competing demands and priorities. This role calls for empathy, adaptability, and a proactive approach. Your ability to build trust, maintain momentum, and guide others through the communications process with professionalism and patience will be key to delivering meaningful impact.

Reporting to the **Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs**, you’ll serve as a strategic advisor and communications coach. You’ll help simplify the process, offer practical guidance, and empower teams to communicate confidently and effectively.

As a manager, you’ll lead and support a team of four Communications Specialists, offering tailored guidance, growth opportunities, and performance coaching to individuals at varying stages of their professional journey.

This role operates in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities. At times, you’ll manage multiple deadlines, high-pressure situations, and extended workdays particularly during major initiatives or emergency events. Your calm, organized approach will help keep communications on track when it matters most.

**What You’ll Do**:

- **Write with impact**: Develop clear, compelling communications that support business objectives and key initiatives including speaking notes, articles, comms plans, and strategies.
- **Coordinate bilingual communications**: Work closely with our translation team to ensure all materials are available in both official languages, factoring translation timelines into project planning and delivery.
- **Lead with empathy and adaptability**: Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization, recognizing and respecting their diverse priorities and time constraints.
- **Coach and advise**: Serve as a communications advisor to leaders and teams, helping them deliver consistent, confident messaging aligned with On Side’s brand and values.
- **Mentor and manage**: Lead and support a team of four, offering tailored guidance, growth opportunities, and performance coaching to individuals at varying stages of their professional journey.
- **Represent the team**: Act as a representative of the Communications team in meetings, ensuring alignment, visibility, and advocacy for communications priorities.
- **Lead large-scale initiatives**: Drive complex, multi-stakeholder communications projects from concept to execution, ensuring clarity, consistency, and strategic alignment.
- **Plan and prioritize**: Maintain the department’s communications calendar, assigning projects based on business priorities and team strengths.
- **Cross-functional collaboration**: Build strong relationships across HR, Health & Safety, Finance, IT, Legal, Operations, and Business Development to support integrated communications.
- **Support crisis and emergency comms**: Allocate team resources and lead communications efforts during emergencies and severe weather events.
- **Engage a mobile workforce**: Develop communications strategies that resonate with a workforce that is 80% field-based, ensuring accessibility, relevance, and connection across all channels.
- **Drive efficiency**: Champion collaboration, streamline workflows, and implement best practices to maximize team impact.
- **Navigate complexity**: Tackle sensitive or high-stakes issues with sound judgment, discretion, and a calm, solutions-focused approach.

**What You’ll Bring**:

- A post-secondary degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Business, ideally complemented by a certificate in Corporate Communications or PR or equivalent education and experience.
- **6+ years** of experience in communications, corporate affairs, or external relations, including **3+ years** in a leadership role with a proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft strategic, engaging content for and on behalf of a range of audiences including senior leaders, internal teams, external stakeholders, and a predominantly field-based workforce.
- Experience supporting change management through strategic communications, with a strong understanding of how messaging influences engagement, clarity, and adoption.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and deliver communications projects on time, often involving multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, a