Director, Public Affairs, Corp Communications

Reason for posting:

Vacancy 

Division:

Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services

Type of position: 

Hybrid with office

Job Term: 

Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) 

Eligibility: 

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or residents legally eligible to work in Canada for the full duration of the assignment.

Union/Non:

Excluded

Closing date:
December 19, 2025

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), a national union representing over 80,000 professionals and scientists across Canada, is seeking a 

Director, Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services

to join our team at our National Office in Ottawa.

PIPSC/IPFPC is committed to building an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought - and of people - are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our goals and objectives. We are making concerted efforts to foster a workforce that is representative of our diverse membership. We strive to create a work environment that is welcoming to everyone regardless of their gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality, particularly equity deserving groups, such as members of the IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities. 

All qualified candidates will be considered; however, in support of achieving a diversified workforce we encourage applications for this opportunity from candidates belonging to one of the employment equity groups: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis or Inuit), peoples of colour or persons with a disability.  Consideration will be given to a qualified candidate who, at the time of application, voluntarily indicates being part of these groups.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Under the direction of the COO, the Director of Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, and Member Services provides strategic advice and oversees the implementation of the Institute's public affairs, corporate communications, and research strategies. This includes leading a team in the planning, formulation, implementation, and monitoring of an integrated, innovative, and effective communications strategy that strengthens the Institute's voice on key issues, enhances its image and positioning, and advances its strategic objectives and priorities in public affairs, policy, and corporate communications.

The Director also oversees, directs, and leads the service functions that provide direct member services, including education services, the email program, the Steward program, and member engagement, using inclusive processes and practices. This position establishes, implements, and leads a multi-channel member engagement strategy. In addition, the Director oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the education program for members, ensuring that education initiatives and projects are aligned with broader strategic plans and remain current and responsive to member needs.

Primary responsibilities:

• Participate, at a senior level, in the development of strategic advice to the Institute on public policy research, communications, advocacy and government relations and oversee the implementation of the communications role in such strategies.
• Provide strategic communications and policy advice to the President, senior elected officials, and senior management.
• Ensure the integration of Public Affairs, Research and Corporate Communications functions with each other and within the broader Institute and the on-time delivery of assigned strategic and operational plans.
• Lead and oversee the provision of strategic advice to the Institute on public affairs, policy and research, communications and advocacy.
• Oversee and increase member awareness through strategic engagement plans, engagement strategies in collaboration with the divisional leaders and key stakeholders to deliver services and programs.
• Oversee the management of Steward coordination and relevant information in the database, including ensuring appropriate information management processes and practices are established and maintained.
• Oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the education section for members. Ensure education initiatives and projects are aligned with broader strategic plans and current with member needs.
• Supervise staff by assigning work and ensuring appropriate performance standards. Provide mentoring, training, guidance, and coaching to staff. Participate in staffing and ensure orientation of new staff. Complete probationary reports and recommend appropriate action. Implement disciplinary and/or corrective measures for all staff. Authorize overtime, leave, and travel requests. Co-develop Career Development Training Plans and recommend for approval.
• Establish objectives and priorities for direct reports and provide advice and direction on the allocation of staff resources, on internal staff relations issues, recommend staffing needs and priorities to the President. Recommend resources needed to undertake delegated functions, including accommodation and equipment needs, and ensure effective use of staff.
• Develop and recommend for approval budgetary and expenditure proposals; approve regular office expenditures based on delegated authorities.  Review and approve expense claims and expenditure invoices.
• Oversee the activities of employees assigned to public affairs, research and strategy and the representation of the Institute in research and policy-related initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of an organization-wide strategy to build and support digital content and tools to communicate with and engage internal and external audiences.
• Manage the content and design of the Institute's Web and social media properties.
• Oversee the creation, gathering, processing, and dissemination of communications content to be used in various Institute communication vehicles including, print, web, audio, and video.
• Oversee the delivery of the media, policy and government relations functions of the Institute.
• Oversee the production of the Institute publications, including the newsletter and the Annual Report.
• Develop the Institute voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms, elevating the Institute brand.
• Develop and execute multi-channel, integrated digital marketing campaigns, establishing, and maintaining brand standards across all platforms.
• Maintain quality control and on-time delivery of all assigned projects and commitments.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams assigned to special projects, work collaboratively with employees in other sections, and monitor the effectiveness of Communications staff participation and support on multi-disciplinary initiatives.
• May be requested to undertake other related activities as required.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements 

Education / Experience: 

• Completion of a University degree in Journalism, Political Science, Public Relations, or Communications;
• Eight+ years experience in communications and development of policy and strategic initiatives with proven experience in government relations, speech writing, delivery of audio-visuals/electronic presentations, graphics, news writing and other branches of communications;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language requirement:

• Proficiency in both official languages (English and French / written and oral) is

required

Skills and experience required:

• Thorough knowledge of communications and public relations principles, methods and techniques and the ability to manage an innovative comprehensive communications program which supports and promotes the Institute's strategic objectives, mission, vision and values
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated ability in the creation and development of policy
• Experience evaluating and assessing requirements in a member service organization to develop relevant programming and initiatives for engagement with members.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research in support of policy creation and development
• Demonstrated ability to manage and evaluate the types and extent of media, public information and government relations required to support the Institute's strategic aims and objectives
• Demonstrated ability and experience in supervising staff and managing a budget
• Ability to plan, organize and develop communications and promotional products, materials, events and activities for a variety of differing audiences through meetings, conferences, and promotional seminars
• Exceptional writing skills as they relate to the creation of policy and communication products, including ability to edit and proofread documents in both French and English
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing on complex and  sensitive subjects, to enhance the understanding of others on issues crucial to Institute members
• Thorough knowledge of how the legislative process operates in relation to media relations practices and procedures and experience in dealing with the media and media activities and managing communications staff in the execution of this mandate
• Knowledge of union and labour relations issues, parliamentary procedures and processes
• Project management skills to plan and execute work assignments of staff and consultants

Compensation Package

• Salary Range: 

Competitive salary
- Group Benefits:

Health, Dental, life Insurance and disability Insurance
- Pension Plan

: Defined Benefits
- Vacation

: 5 weeks per year, plus other generous paid leave
- Paid Time Off

: December 27th to 31st

Note 

If you require accommodation for a disability during the recruitment process, please contact us with your details. Our Staffing team will respond within 48 hours, and all information related to accommodation requests will be handled confidentially.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, psychologically safe, harassment-free, and accessible work environment, starting from the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.