Senior Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations

Senior Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations

$65,000 - $90,000 per year, full-time permanent, generous benefits package

Science North, Northern Ontario's original science centre, is renowned for a fun and friendly approach to science education. Science North's drawing power lies with its unique approach to learning. We play a vital role as an economic, tourism and cultural engine for Northern Ontario. Science North and Dynamic Earth are the second and eighth largest science centres in Canada, located in the country's 28th largest city. Science North delivers science educational programming, exhibit experiences and events to more than 100 communities across the 800,000 square km territory of Northern Ontario, serving a diversity of audiences including large Francophone and Indigenous populations. We operate as an agency of the province, hosting additional bases of operation in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie and are exceptionally proud to partner with organizations from across the province on a multitude of ventures. We have deeply rooted relationships with several school boards, various levels of government, and clients around the world.

Ensuring those relationships are carefully cultivated and nurtured is of critical importance to Science North. Our success is built on the support of countless stakeholders. We are currently looking to fill the role of Senior Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations. As the successful candidate you will sit at the centre of Science North's executive, governance, and government relations ecosystem. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and high-level communications counsel while ensuring the effective functioning of the CEO's Office.

You will serve as a critical liaison between the CEO, Board of Trustees, Senior Leadership Team, government partners, and external stakeholders. You will be accountable for advancing executive priorities, stewarding governance and Ministry relationships, leading CEO communications, and overseeing complex initiatives that require discretion, political acuity, and sound judgment.

Executive Leadership and Corporate Alignment

• Advance the CEO's strategic agenda, translating priorities into actionable plans and systems
• Provide strategic counsel to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, anticipating issues, risks, and opportunities
• Oversee Board of Trustees and Committee governance including agendas, information flow, and decision tracking
• Foster organizational alignment by framing issues to support informed decision-making and shared accountability
• Guide and onboard new senior leaders on governance, Ministry expectations, and executive processes
• Ensure compliance with Ministry directives, agency requirements, and government governance standards

Strategic Communications and Government Relations

• Lead the development of CEO communications including keynotes, speaking notes, staff communications, media materials, and strategic documents
• Manage sensitive and high-impact communication channels considering political context and reputational risk
• Serve as a senior liaison with municipal, provincial, and federal officials, funders, Indigenous partners, and sector stakeholders
• Act as Science North's primary liaison with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
• Coordinate protocol, logistics, and briefing materials for government announcements and official engagements

Executive Office Operations and Advisory Support

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the CEO's Office ensuring efficient workflows and information management
• Act as a trusted gatekeeper for the CEO by prioritizing issues and managing access
• Anticipate executive needs through proactive intelligence gathering and preparation
• Provide research, analysis, presentations, and written materials to support executive decision-making
• Support crisis response and sensitive issues through readiness and coordination

Strategic Projects, Events, and Organizational Initiatives

• Lead high-impact projects and cross-functional initiatives emerging from the CEO's Office
• Coordinate strategic planning, annual business planning, and corporate reporting processes
• Lead planning and execution of major events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements
• Manage external consultants and partners on special projects

People Leadership and Operational Management

• Provide leadership for CEO Office staff including recruitment, performance management, and development
• Manage budgets and financial oversight related to the CEO's Office, allocate resources effectively and set unit priorities
• Foster a high-performing, trusted, and service-oriented team culture

Requirements:

• University degree or college diploma in business, communications, public relations, or a related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience supporting senior executives or governance bodies
• Demonstrated experience in executive leadership support, Board governance, and government relations
• Exceptional writing, editing, and briefing skills
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and sensitive information with discretion
• Strong political acuity and exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English required (non-negotiable). Fluency in French would be considered and asset

Compensation Highlights:

• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Competitive salary starting at $65,000 to $90,000 per year
• Annual performance and merit increase consideration
• Participation in the Science North Employee Incentive Plan
• Flexible work arrangements
• Comprehensive group benefit package including medical, dental, vision, paramedical, life/travel insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, 24/7 telemedicine access, wellness spending account/ onsite physio/chiro services
• Pension plan following one year
• Science North annual family membership
• Free or discounted admission to other attractions outside Sudbury, Science North facilities and program discounts, fitness membership contribution
• Employee referral program
• Professional development opportunities
• Minimum 4 weeks vacation with incremental entitlements of one week after 5 and 10 yrs of service
• Free parking

Don't meet every single requirement? At Science North we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

If you have any questions or need more information please don't hesitate to reach out to us at

Apply online at An early application represents your best opportunity for consideration. Science North is committed to an inclusive workplace and invites applications from all qualified individuals to join our diverse team. Accommodations are available upon request in all aspects of Science North's selection process. We thank all interested candidates; only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Science North is grateful to work with First Nations across Northern Ontario and we give thanks to the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We pay respect to their traditions, ways of knowing, and acknowledge their many contributions to innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, past and present. We also recognize the Métis Nation of Ontario for their historic and ongoing contributions. Science North commits to deepening engagement, relationships and partnerships in order to advance truth and reconciliation, honour and reflect Indigenous ways of knowing, grow economic opportunities, and collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in order to inspire all people to be engaged with science in the world around them.

Science North is a registered charity.

Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario.