Reason for Porting: Backfill
Division: Public Affairs, Member Services & Communications
City: Ottawa, ON
Type of position: hybrid
Job Term: Permanent Full-time (35 hours per week)
Eligibility: Applicant must either be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident eligible to work in Canada
Union/Non: Excluded
Competition: 26-48
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 bilingual Communications Manager 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 Director, Public Affairs and Member Services, the Manager, Communications is responsible for the leadership, management and operational performance of the Communications Division. The Manager provides leadership to a multidisciplinary team responsible for public relations, media relations, executive communications, digital communications and creative services. The position is accountable for divisional planning, people leadership, resource allocation, communications strategy, centralized intake, workflow management and the delivery of integrated communications services that support the Institute's strategic priorities.
Primary responsibilities:
- Lead the operations of the Communications Division by establishing priorities, allocating resources and ensuring the effective delivery of integrated communications services in support of the Institute’s strategic and operational priorities.
- Supervise, coach and develop Team Leads and staff, including recruitment, performance management, employee development and succession planning.
- Develop and implement divisional operational plans and integrated communications strategies that support organizational priorities, collective bargaining, government relations, advocacy, member engagement and other Institute initiatives.
- Oversee centralized communications intake, prioritization and workflow management, ensuring requests are assessed, coordinated and assigned according to organizational priorities, capacity, timelines and communications requirements.
- Provide strategic communications advice to the Director, senior management and elected officials on complex and sensitive matters, including media relations, public affairs, executive communications, emerging issues and reputational considerations.
- Direct the planning, development and delivery of communications across public and media relations, executive communications, digital communications, social media, web and creative services, ensuring consistent messaging, quality and alignment across channels.
- Oversee the development and implementation of proactive media and public relations strategies, including media engagement, issues management and communications responses to emerging or high-profile matters.
- Provide strategic oversight of the Institute’s digital communications channels and platforms, including social media, email communications, web content and evolving digital communications tools and practices.
- Ensure effective coordination among communications functions and with other departments to support integrated campaigns, bargaining initiatives, government relations, organizing, member engagement and corporate priorities.
- Develop and administer the Division’s operating budget and oversee contracts, procurement and the effective utilization of financial and human resources.
- Monitor communications performance through media monitoring, digital and engagement analytics, stakeholder feedback, reporting and evaluation, and use findings to inform planning and continuous improvement.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including elected leaders, members, senior management, media, government representatives, labour organizations, communications partners and service providers.
- Identify emerging communications trends, issues, opportunities and risks and recommend strategies to strengthen the Institute’s communications effectiveness and protect and enhance its reputation.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams assigned to special projects and work collaboratively with employees in other sections.
- May be requested to undertake other related duties on a periodic basis.
Knowledge and Experience Requirements
Education / Experience:
- A university degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Marketing, Political Science or a related discipline; and
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs or communications, including experience leading professional staff; or
- An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language requirement:
- Fluency in both official languages (French and English) is required
Skills and experience required:
- Extensive knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, public affairs and executive communications.
- Thorough knowledge of digital communications, social media, website governance, content management and emerging communications technologies.
- Knowledge of communications supporting labour relations, collective bargaining, advocacy and member engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage communications operations.
- Demonstrated ability to develop integrated communications strategies and provide strategic advice on complex and sensitive issues.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong planning, organizational, analytical and project management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative relationships and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Compensation Package
- Salary Range: $136,379 to $170,473 (G9)
- Group Benefits: Health, Dental, life Insurance and disability Insurance
- Pension Plan: Defined Benefits
- Vacation: 4 weeks per year, plus other generous paid leave
- Paid Time Off: December 27th to 31st
How to apply
You are invited to visit our Career Centre to submit your application. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. (EST) on October 9, 2026.
Submit a cover letter and resume tailored to the qualifications outlined in the job posting. Your documents should include specific examples that clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of this position, as your application will be evaluated based solely on the information provided.
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.
