External and c-suite Communications Leader; Associate Director; 14-month contract

The opportunity

As the Associate Director — External and C-Suite Communications Leader, you will lead a national team of internal and external Public Relations, Social Media and Communications professionals to develop and execute integrated, strategies to support leadership, engage our employees and the public.

As a marketing-savvy communicator, you are an incredible writer at heart, have an intrinsic drive to connect with audiences, a bold vision and an exceptional eye for detail. You are comfortable with the unpredictability that is part of a dynamic corporate environment like ours and thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed, high-visibility setting. People management is your passion and stakeholder engagement is your strength. And if status quo isn't in your vocabulary, you like to work in grey environments, have a natural talent for words and you're interested in being challenged, you've come to the right place.

Your key responsibilities

• Enable thoughtful, timely and impactful internal, external and corporate communications.
• Advise the Executive Committee and national leaders on internal and external communications strategies, including large-scale change management and reputational issues management.
• Coach, mentor and guide a team of 10 professionals across Public Relations, Social Media and Executive Communications on strategy, frameworks and deliverables.
• Proactively share and connect the dots between internal and external communications — as well as broader brand and marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with Canadian, Americas and Global EY stakeholders to ensure a cohesive communication strategy across regions.
• Oversee crisis and incident management communications.
• Manage budget and external contract relationships.

Skills and attributes for success

• A strategic mindset focused on initiating new ideas and stories to elevate the EY brand.
• Ability to think outside the box and develop engaging and innovative communications with a strong understanding of how best to deliver tactics across different channels.
• Readiness to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, while effectively juggling multiple tasks with a client-centric approach and sense of urgency to meet executive deadlines.
• Stellar communication skills, with the ability to understand and communicate complex ideas persuasively and efficiently across various communications channels.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills within a timely delivery.
• Ability to contribute to communications deliverables while simultaneously managing, coaching and motivating a team of communications professionals across Canada.
• Extensive experience advising and supporting executive leadership on personal brand and communications strategies.
• Experience liaising with leadership, Risk Management and/or Legal teams on corporate issues.
• Understanding of communications measurement tools, tactics and benchmarks — and how to link outputs back to organizational objectives.
• Organized and articulate, with impeccable attention to detail.

To qualify for the role you must have

• Post-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing communications or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of professional communications experience.
• Deep understanding and extensive experience planning and supporting strategic communications campaigns and executive communications.
• Proven experience and comfort navigating a highly matrixed, fast-paced yet dynamic work environment with the ability to remain organized, multitask and adapt quickly.
• Experience managing, coaching and inspiring a large team of professionals.
• Strong experience working with or managing C-suite executives.

Ideally you will also have

• Familiarity using communications software, such as Content Management Systems, Cision and/or Meltwater.
• Experience with incident and crisis management communications.

What we offer

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming - where everyone can achieve their potential and contribute to building a better working world for our people, our clients and our communities. It's one of the many reasons we repeatedly win awards for being a great place to work.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you to decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future. Plus, we offer:

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that's right for you

Diversity and Inclusion at EY

Diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of who we are and how we work. We're committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.

EY | Building a better working world

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.