Director, Public Affairs

The NRC Advantage

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada's Success.

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.
 
We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you.  Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.
 
At NRC, we know diversity enables excellence in research and innovation. We are committed to a diverse and representative workforce, an open and inclusive work environment, and contributing to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system. 
 
NRC welcomes all qualified applicants and encourages candidates to self-declare as members of the following designated employment equity groups: women, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities.
 
Please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. They are available to all candidates for further assessment. Related information received will be addressed confidentially.

Your Challenge

Passionate about communications? Creative? Driven? The NRC is a dynamic organization with an exciting opportunity to communicate the wide-ranging scientific, engineering, and technological work being done in Canada.

Working closely with the Director General of NRC Communications Branch, the incumbent is responsible for resource planning and management in their assigned area of responsibility, and for contributing to these areas at a Branch-level. The Director manages multiple communications functions including Corporate Communications, Digital Media, Translation, and Creative and Print Services. 

The Director, Public Affairs would be someone who shares our core values of impact, accountability, leadership, integrity and collaboration. The Director ensures consistency in approach and support across the Communications Branch to meet its objectives in achieving the NRC’s communications goals.

Screening Criteria

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter how they meet the education and experience factors listed on the poster. Candidates must use the education/experience criteria as a header and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating how they meet them by providing concrete examples. In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe in detail when, where and how he/she gained the experience.

Education

Degree in communications, journalism, marketing or or acceptable mix of education and experience. Preference may be given to candidates with a combination of technical and communications education.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Significant and recent experience providing strategic advice and counsel to ministerial staff and senior level executives or other equivalent positions in the public or private sectors, on complex and sensitive communications issues.
• Significant and recent experience in leading and managing human and financial resources.
• Experience in leading a team of at least 5 people in providing comprehensive communications services and strategic advice to a group or component of an organization.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and leading corporate horizontal initiatives.
• Experience in working with a diversity of clients, partners and stakeholders in various communications related sectors.
• Experience in identifying, analysing and resolving complex issues. 
• Experience in writing and editing a variety of communications products, including communications plans and strategies, and messages for internal and external audiences.

Significant means at least four years
Recent means within the past three years

Condition of Employment

Level II (Secret)

Language Requirements

Bilingual CBC/CBC Imperative/Impératif 

Note: In the event that no qualified bilingual candidates are identified, NRC may consider unilingual candidates who will be required to commit to achieving these levels within two years.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

• Ability to provide direction and oversight in large-scale project definition, planning, execution and evaluation.
• Ability to leverage collaborative relationship with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively lead multi-disciplinary teams and negotiate with senior management.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent speaking, writing, and editing skills to deal with all levels of internal and external senior management, management, and staff and to vet communication products prepared by others.
• Negotiation skills to identify, anticipate, assess and manage risk, deal with complaints, trouble shoot, and find creative solutions to challenges. The ability to think strategically and remain sensitive to the needs of NRC as well as the wider political issues that can, and often do, influence the mandate of the position.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s Communications Policy and practices within the federal government
• Knowledge of the machinery of federal government communications needs and processes with a special emphasis on the workings of Ministers’ and Deputy Ministers’ Offices, Cabinet and Parliament.
• Knowledge of the current trends that may affect the NRC’s and/or the government’s objectives and priorities.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in providing leadership for the planning and delivery of client-oriented services.
• Knowledge of and experience implementing leading edge communications practices, technologies.

Behavioural Competencies

• Management services – Inspirational Leadership (Level 2) 
• Management services – Strategic Outlook and Alignment (Level 2) 
• Management services – Drive for Results and Efficiency (Level 2) 
• Management services – Leverage Collaborative Relationships (Level 2) 
• Management services – Financial Management (Level 2) 
• Management services – Client Relationship Management (Level 3) 
• Management services – Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 2) 

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile:  Management Competencies (MG)

View all competency profiles

Relocation

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.

Compensation

From $136,317 to $163,554 per annum. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.

Notes

• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.