Director, Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services

Reason for posting: Vacancy
Division: Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services
Type of position: Hybrid with office
Job Term: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)
Eligibility: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or residents legally eligible to work in Canada for the full duration of the assignment.
Union/Non: Excluded
Closing date: December 19, 2025

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 Director, Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services 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 COO, the Director of Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, and Member Services provides strategic advice and oversees the implementation of the Institute’s public affairs, corporate communications, and research strategies. This includes leading a team in the planning, formulation, implementation, and monitoring of an integrated, innovative, and effective communications strategy that strengthens the Institute’s voice on key issues, enhances its image and positioning, and advances its strategic objectives and priorities in public affairs, policy, and corporate communications.

The Director also oversees, directs, and leads the service functions that provide direct member services, including education services, the email program, the Steward program, and member engagement, using inclusive processes and practices. This position establishes, implements, and leads a multi-channel member engagement strategy. In addition, the Director oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the education program for members, ensuring that education initiatives and projects are aligned with broader strategic plans and remain current and responsive to member needs.

Primary responsibilities:

• Participate, at a senior level, in the development of strategic advice to the Institute on public policy research, communications, advocacy and government relations and oversee the implementation of the communications role in such strategies.
• Provide strategic communications and policy advice to the President, senior elected officials, and senior management.
• Ensure the integration of Public Affairs, Research and Corporate Communications functions with each other and within the broader Institute and the on-time delivery of assigned strategic and operational plans.
• Lead and oversee the provision of strategic advice to the Institute on public affairs, policy and research, communications and advocacy.
• Oversee and increase member awareness through strategic engagement plans, engagement strategies in collaboration with the divisional leaders and key stakeholders to deliver services and programs.
• Oversee the management of Steward coordination and relevant information in the database, including ensuring appropriate information management processes and practices are established and maintained.
• Oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the education section for members. Ensure education initiatives and projects are aligned with broader strategic plans and current with member needs.
• Supervise staff by assigning work and ensuring appropriate performance standards. Provide mentoring, training, guidance, and coaching to staff. Participate in staffing and ensure orientation of new staff. Complete probationary reports and recommend appropriate action. Implement disciplinary and/or corrective measures for all staff. Authorize overtime, leave, and travel requests. Co-develop Career Development Training Plans and recommend for approval.
• Establish objectives and priorities for direct reports and provide advice and direction on the allocation of staff resources, on internal staff relations issues, recommend staffing needs and priorities to the President. Recommend resources needed to undertake delegated functions, including accommodation and equipment needs, and ensure effective use of staff.
• Develop and recommend for approval budgetary and expenditure proposals; approve regular office expenditures based on delegated authorities. Review and approve expense claims and expenditure invoices.
• Oversee the activities of employees assigned to public affairs, research and strategy and the representation of the Institute in research and policy-related initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of an organization-wide strategy to build and support digital content and tools to communicate with and engage internal and external audiences.
• Manage the content and design of the Institute’s Web and social media properties.
• Oversee the creation, gathering, processing, and dissemination of communications content to be used in various Institute communication vehicles including, print, web, audio, and video.
• Oversee the delivery of the media, policy and government relations functions of the Institute.
• Oversee the production of the Institute publications, including the newsletter and the Annual Report.
• Develop the Institute voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms, elevating the Institute brand.
• Develop and execute multi-channel, integrated digital marketing campaigns, establishing, and maintaining brand standards across all platforms.
• Maintain quality control and on-time delivery of all assigned projects and commitments.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams assigned to special projects, work collaboratively with employees in other sections, and monitor the effectiveness of Communications staff participation and support on multi-disciplinary initiatives.
• May be requested to undertake other related activities as required.