Director - Corporate Communications and Marketing

1740-360 Albert Street

Ottawa, ON

K1R 7X7

POSITION PROFILE

Position title: Director - Corporate Communications and Marketing

Department: Corporate Communications and Marketing

Reporting Functions: Language Services, Marketing, Media Relations

Reports to: Executive Director

Job grade: Level 7

Job type: Revised position due to restructuring

Salary grid: $141,511 to $172,957*

• While the complete grid is posted for transparency, our typical hiring rate is toward the lower end of the grid, with final salary decisions based on the candidate’s skills, education, and relevant experience. This position is also eligible for performance pay as outlined in the CIA’s Compensation Policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing, provides vision and strategic leadership for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ (CIA) corporate communications and marketing functions.

The Director develops and executes organization‑wide communications and marketing strategies that advance the CIA’s mission, priorities, and reputation, and strengthens visibility and engagement with members and public audiences. The role is responsible for shaping the Institute’s public image, brand strategy, and brand stewardship, and oversees corporate messaging and crisis communications.

The Director is a leader in their industry, continuously evaluating brand awareness, digital marketing, media relations, and bilingual public communications to elevate the Institute’s messaging across all channels.

Working collaboratively across the organization, the Director identifies opportunities to align communications with strategic initiatives, events, and public engagements. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director leads, and mentors a multidisciplinary team, manages external vendor relationships and the departmental budget, and Is responsible for the overall the effective operations of the department.

JOB DUTIES

Strategic communications and marketing leadership

• Develop the communications and marketing vision for the profession.
• Innovate organization-wide communications strategies, plans and programs, aligned with the CIA’s mission, goals, and objectives.
• Oversee data-driven marketing strategies and plans (advertising, promotions, content) to promote the Institute and its programs and services.
• Conduct impact studies and internal communications audits to determine the effectiveness and reach of communications and marketing strategies and refine as needed to meet the Institute’s objectives.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on branding, member and partner engagement, and reputation management.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and risks in communications, marketing, and the professional association landscape.
• Establish performance metrics and evaluate the effectiveness of communications and marketing initiatives.
• Oversee and maintain corporate communications and marketing policies and procedures for the Institute.
• Identify and assess emerging products, media, and technologies to strengthen the CIA’s marketing and communications capacity.

Corporate Communications

• Oversee the development of clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across all channels.
• Lead internal and external communications, including announcements, publications, media relations, and executive communications.
• Ensure alignment in tone, voice, and messaging across departments and initiatives.
• Act as a key advisor on issues management and crisis communications.

Brand, messaging, and content oversight

• Align and reinforce the CIA brand and monitor brand perception and competitor positioning.
• Build and execute strategy around key industry and social event calendars to raise the visibility of the profession and the Institute with impact.
• Direct the development and production of communications materials to ensure a cohesive and consistent organizational image and message.
• Oversee the production of bilingual public documents, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high-quality language standards.
• Ensure established timelines for the development and distribution of communications materials are met.
• Conduct final review of all public-facing communications, including news releases, digital content, program announcements, and corporate reports.

Digital and online communications

• Oversee the development, management, and maintenance of all online communications platforms, e.g. email, discussion forums, websites, and related social and digital channels.
• Plan and oversee consistent messaging, structure, and image of the CIA’s websites and related online platforms.
• Plan and implement periodic content review across all platforms to ensure currency and relevance.
• Collaborate with the Information Technology team to action continuous improvement of website functionality, and marketing and language services tools and software.

Media relations

• Oversee the media relations strategy, media inquiries and interviews.
• Ensure proactive management of issues, reputation and crisis communications in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Oversee protocols, media training and rapid, aligned responses.
• Support volunteer and head office executive presence through advice, training, and annual strategies.
• Respond to requests for information from members, businesses, and other associations.
• Oversee the development of news releases, fact sheets, and other media materials.

Organizational collaboration and partnerships

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal departments, volunteers, and external contacts to stay informed of initiatives, trends, and services.
• Identify opportunities to align and integrate communications with broader organizational initiatives and programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with professional counterparts, and community organizations through joint initiatives and co-sponsored communications programs.

People and financial management

• Mentor, coach, supervise, and manage performance of the department.
• Oversee departmental operations, planning, administration, and resource allocation.
• Develop and manage the department’s annual budget and forecasts.
• Promote integration and collaboration across communications functions.
• Stay current on external communications service providers and manage vendor relationships.
• As a member of the Institute’s Senior Management Team, contribute to the management of the overall operations of the CIA Head Office as required.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Adaptability – Adapts and responds to changing conditions, priorities, and requirements. Recognizes new information and ideas with a willingness to alter opinions and behaviours. Applies versatility and innovativeness in the face of change. Ability to comfortably collaborate in a variety of situations and with diverse individuals.

Service orientation and relationship building – Delivers high‑quality, responsive service by prioritizing members’ needs and following through on commitments in a timely and professional manner. Builds strong, positive relationships with members, colleagues, and external partners to foster trust, collaboration, and shared insight.

Professionalism, accountability, and quality of work – Demonstrates strong accountability by taking ownership of actions, behaviours, and the quality and timeliness of individual and team work. Acts with integrity, reliability, and transparency, consistently adhering to organizational guidelines, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.

Sets and models high standards of quality, ensuring work is completed thoughtfully, responsibly, and in alignment with the CIA’s values and processes.

Teamwork, diversity, respect, and leadership – Collaborates effectively with others to achieve shared goals, actively contributing to a positive and team‑oriented environment. Promotes inclusivity by valuing diverse perspectives, encouraging participation, and engaging a wide range of individuals through support, coaching, and collaboration to advance organizational objectives.

Planning, organizing, problem solving and decision making – Demonstrates strong analytical and strategic thinking by planning work realistically, breaking down complex issues, and using logic and reflection to develop sound solutions. Aligns decisions and initiatives with the Institute’s vision, mission, and long‑term objectives by analyzing both internal and external environments.

Makes well‑informed, thoughtful decisions that balance opportunities, challenges, and risks in support of organizational goals.

People management – Communicates openly and effectively with team members about performance, fostering trust, motivation, and continuous development. Provides coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback—including having difficult conversations—to support skill development, growth, and success in the role.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Collaborative and inclusive leadership – Builds strong, respectful relationships across councils, committees, staff teams, and volunteers, fostering diverse perspectives and shared ownership of outcomes.

Strategic judgment and systems thinking – Demonstrates the ability to see connections across functions and priorities, balancing short‑term needs with long‑term strategic objectives in service of the public interest.

Trusted advisor mindset – Provides thoughtful, evidence‑based advice to senior leadership and volunteer leaders, communicating complex issues clearly and supporting sound, transparent decision‑making.

Stewardship and accountability – Acts with integrity and professionalism, ensuring continuity, follow‑through, and responsible use of the Institute’s resources, reputation, and intellectual capital.

Influence with purpose – Advances the Institute’s mission through clear framing, compelling narratives, and constructive engagement with members, partners, and external contacts.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are two (2) direct reports associated with this position. Indirectly supervises staff which collaboratively supports the Corporate Communications and Marketing department. The director supervises the work of external service providers.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION

The Director frequently engages with a wide range of external contacts. These interactions are vital for maintaining a broad outlook, building, and strengthening professional networks, gaining insight into the priorities of external parties, and effectively influencing, negotiating, and fostering productive relationships with suppliers and partners.

The Director may be called upon to make official presentations on the CIA’s communications initiatives to external constituency groups.

The incumbent represents the interests of the CIA at formal meetings and functions of relevant organizations.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate university degree or master’s in communications, marketing, public relations, advertising, business administration, translation, journalism, or a relevant field.
• Ten years of progressive work experience in communications, marketing, or public affairs, developing and implementing comprehensive strategic communications plans, preferably with a not-for profit association.
• Excellent understanding and familiarity with brand building and brand management.
• Media relations experience and news coverage placements.
• Proven ability to prepare and implement communications strategies in a variety of media.
• Demonstrated ability to meet strategic and operational objectives.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to plan and carry out major programs and plans that have an impact on the whole organization within tight deadlines and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi‑player initiatives, provide evidence‑based advice to councils and senior leadership, and manage competing priorities to achieve organization‑wide impact. Advanced strategic, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify risks and opportunities and develop practical, mission‑aligned solutions.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Proven leadership and relationship‑building capabilities, fostering inclusive teams, strong partnerships, and meaningful outcomes that advance the organization’s mission.
• Strong project management, prioritization, multitasking, and time management abilities to meet deadlines.
• Skilled in diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, Teams, and Asana.
• Strong knowledge of communications and mass media principles, including publicity, advertising, education, community relations, and organizational structure, as they apply to the CIA.

Language Requirement

• Strong written and verbal English and French skills are required.

Effort

• The position requires managing multiple projects and competing priorities with occasional urgent situations.
• Most working hours will be spent at a workstation sitting, keyboarding, and reading/looking at a computer screen.

Working Conditions

• Standard work hours (35 hours a week) with frequent peak periods of extended or irregular hours.
• Occasional travel for one to two-day meetings nationally.
• Hybrid work environment.