Director, Communications and Media Relations

Be part of building a national brand. Headquartered in Toronto, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to high-performance sports excellence. We are the largest private supporter of high-performance sport in Canada and we are responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic Movement, including the participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games.

Reporting to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Director, Communications and Media Relations is responsible for developing internal and external communication strategies, policies, programs and procedures in support of the COC’s goals and objectives while ensuring that all formal communications are consistent with the organization’s values and brand.  The incumbent oversees and provides direction for all communications activities, both internally and externally, in English and French.

This position plays a key role in directing the external image of the COC to multi-stakeholder groups: athletes, National Sport Organizations (NSOs), COC Session members, governments, broadcasters and other media.  The incumbent will interact with and support the senior leaders of the organization and high-profile members of the sport, business and government communities. The nature of the position requires management of numerous scheduled and, at times, unscheduled demands and deadlines.

Location

This position will be located in one of the COC’s offices (Montreal, QC, at 500 René-Lévesque Boulevard West; or in Toronto, ON at 250 Yonge St. Suite 3000). We offer a hybrid work model that allows for up to three days of remote work each week.

Core responsibilities and Priorities

Corporate Communications

• Develop and oversee implementation of innovative internal and external communication strategies, policies, programs and procedures that are aligned with the COC’s strategies, goals and annual objectives
• Oversee the development, execution and maintenance of all written communications internally and externally, in English and French, that reflect COC values and brand
• Collaborate and maintain alignment with International and Government Relations staff to maximize cohesion between teams
• Develop and implement an integrated communication strategy based on COC objectives to broaden awareness of COC programs and priorities
• In conjunction with the Human Resources Team, plan and develop the internal communication strategy, including review, drafting, coordinating, executing and evaluating communications for an internal audience
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on internal and external communications, including support with scripting and speaking notes

Media Relations and Public Relations 

• Leverage existing relationships and cultivate new ones with relevant journalists, editorial boards, and other appropriate outlets to generate broader coverage of the COC’s mission and initiatives
• Ensure timely and appropriate communications with media to build trusting relationships with and ensure organizational messaging is shared with key audiences
• Cultivate an environment of readiness and alertness to emerging situations, including ongoing key message refinement and media training
• Lead the communications’ response during crisis situations; act as a spokesperson for the organization, when required; act as editor in chief for written materials

Proactive Public Relations 

• Lead the development, delivery, and adjustment of the COC’s PR strategy that aligns with organizational objectives and gains positive exposure for the organization and its initiatives in the community
• Provide strategic communication advice to internal clients, including the President, CEO and senior leadership team
• Ensure clear stakeholder mapping, channel analysis, and key message development drives proactive PR activities
• Strategize on new and innovative ways to channel the inspiration of the Olympic Movement and Canadian high-performance athletes to get more Canadians participating in organized sport

Marketing Communications 

• Collaborate with the Brand and Commercial Management Team to support Marketing communications needs
• Align messaging and strategy with the Brand and Commercial Management Team to define corporate narrative and ensure consistent COC voice across all channels
• Collaborate with the COC Digital team to coordinate and optimize all communications, particularly externally
• Collaborate with brand and commercial department leads, marketing partners, and outside agencies to ensure early consideration of communications opportunities and required resources in COC campaigns and marketing communications

Sport and Games Communications

• Oversee the development and implementation of communication plans for Olympic/Pan-American/Youth Olympic Games
• Support NSOs in building communication plans that capitalize on the Games profile while limiting distractions
• Responsible for all proactive athlete and sport communications and issues management
• Ensure the sport system is reflected in COC communications and media relations
• Act as the Press Chief for the Olympic Games

Staff Management and Leadership 

• Lead and develop a high performing communications team with clear roles and responsibilities; coach and mentor the team to optimize their performance and personal and professional development
• Create a team culture that reinforces high levels of collaboration, client service, efficiency, participation, commitment, excellence and team spirit
• Develop, manage, and maximize efficiency of the communications budget and department expenses
• Properly manage COC network of contractors to address communication needs throughout the year
• Oversee day-to-day and Games Communications budgets ensuring adherence to corporate policies and procedures
• Collaborate with International Relations and Government Relations leads to form IRPA leadership group, supporting departmental direction, strategy and alignment
• Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications and Critical Skills

Education and Experience

Skills and Abilities

• A proven strategic and creative planner with the ability to develop and implement a plan from concept to completion
• Extremely strong and credible communicator; ideally, bilingual in both official languages (English and French – written and verbal)
• Strong understanding of the business needs, client needs and cultural and financial realities of a not-for-profit and services environment
• Adaptable, coachable, open to feedback and a high level of self awareness
• A proven ability to implement multi-lingual communications strategies for national organizations that breakthrough and demonstrate a strong knowledge of both traditional and non-traditional media
• Strong technical skills, including written and editing ability – must be able to draft and edit key messages, press releases, briefing notes, etc.
• Understands the Canadian regional and cultural differences and how to address these differences through communications
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to adapt to changing environments
• Demonstrates a collaborative leadership approach; counts consensus building as a strength
• A track record for attracting, developing and retaining strong talent and for building and inspiring a high-performance team
• Strong project and time management skills to meet deadlines and deploy resources in areas that have greatest positive impact on results
• Demonstrates and embodies the COC values of Accountability, Excellence, Fun, Respect and Bravery

Compensation

Competitive salary based on experience, excellent benefits package.

Contact

Please submit your cover letter and resume through ADP by January 12, 2025.

The COC is committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes and work environment are inclusive and barrier-free. At the COC, we celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees and believe that having a team of individuals with different backgrounds, views, experience, and capability working together makes us stronger and better as an organization.

Accommodation is also available upon request for individuals taking part in all stages of our recruitment and selection processes. Please advise the recruiter to ensure your accessibility needs due to a disability are accommodated. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.