Director, Corporate Communications

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes. 

For more information, visit www.snpolytechnic.com 

JOB PURPOSE  

Under the direction and supervision of the President/CEO, the Director, Corporate Communications is responsible for the development of Six Nations Polytechnic’s (SNP) corporate communication strategy and overall, contributes to SNP’s organizational strategic planning process.  The Director is responsible for developing a system leading, higher education communications plan, directly managing communications activities that define, promote, enhance, and protect SNP’s brand reputation.  The Director oversees the development and deployment of all institutional communication collaterals working in close collaboration with SNP’s Marketing Department and all other departments that interact / communicate directly with internal and external stakeholders (students, staff, government and community / public).

The Director is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind). 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES  

Corporate Communication Strategy Development and Deployment 50%

Contribute to high-level analyses and responses (“white papers,” “shadow reports,” position statements, etc.) of inter alia, policy documents, legislation, regulations, and position papers, produced by public and private sector entities, relevant to Indigenous education and educational environments;

Identify opportunities for, and participate in, government advocacy efforts to increase resources and recognition for SNP;  

Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance SNP’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences;

Participate in meetings/webinars with external partners;  

Working in collaboration with the Recruitment and Marketing Team, create a marketing / communications / public relations strategy that will allow SNP to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, as well as support SNP’s student recruitment strategies;

Develop and oversee a comprehensive strategy for all SNP print communications, including the annual report; collaborate with the Registrar’s Office on marketing collateral materials and applicant communications; and manage relationships with associated partners that support SNP’s communications (i.e. Indigenous Institutes 
Consortium);

Develop a strategy for the development, capture and maintenance of all SNP visual collaterals;  

Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization;

Exercising judgment, prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed;

Actively engage, cultivate and manage media relationships to ensure coverage surrounding SNP’s programs, special events, public announcements and other projects;

Create a communications strategy that will allow SNP leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high level external audiences; and

Develop and maintain key messages for use by SNP’s leadership. 

Other related duties, as required and assigned

Corporate Social and Digital Media Oversight 20%

Provide guidance and strategic leadership towards the utilization of SNP’s digital communication platforms;

Write and edit content for internal and external communications, including electronic newsletter, stories/features, blogs, letters, speech preparation, video scripts, event collateral, reports, proposals, etc.; 

Ensure SNP’s website remains current, functional and optimized;

Develop key metrics and utilize analytics to monitor performance of marketing and communication activity, identify insights and drive continuous improvement;

Working with Marketing and Recruitment, develop a social media strategy for SNP;

Leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance content creation and platform performance; and

Ensure SNP’s brand promotion objectives are consistently and effectively promoted 
across all digital platforms.

Other related duties, as required and assigned

Internal Communication and Events 5%

Provide strategic advice to SNP’s senior leadership on communication approaches for departmental or institution wide announcements / communications; 

Assist departments with the development of proposals / reports ensuring consistency with brand messaging; 

Working with IS, provide strategic advice on the effective utilization of technology platforms from a communications perspective; and 

Assist with the development and execution of institution wide events. 

Other related duties, as required and assigned

General Administration 25%

Manage staff, including recruitment, job descriptions, work plans, task management, performance reviews etc; 

Procure and continually maintain SNP communication collaterals and technologies; 

Manage relationships with external vendors such as graphic designers;  

Ensure continuous improvement and organizational alignment of the department’s output through feedback from SNP Staff and students by way of surveys and other available feedback mechanisms; 

Participate in processes related to policy development at SNP;  

Be responsible for knowing, understanding, upholding, and following SNP’s policies, processes, and reporting requirements, and supporting the collaborative development and effective implementation of new and emergent policies and processes; 

Participate in staff, Board, Senior Leadership Team, the President’s Emergency Succession Team, committee, working group, and program advisory meetings, as well as staff trainings and information sessions, as required; 

Develop and manage budgets, as required; and 

Other related duties, as required and assigned

EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE  

Completion of a formal post-secondary college or university program of three to four academic years in a related discipline i.e. marketing, communications or public relations 

EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE / CULTURE AND LANGUAGE EXPERTISE  

Over 3 years and including 5 years of experience managing internal and external corporate communications, preferably in a higher education institution 

Criminal Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to provide an original Criminal Background Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening that is satisfactory to Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) prior to the first day of work at Six Nations Polytechnic, and an Offence Declaration that is satisfactory to SNP by their first day of employment at Six Nations Polytechnic.

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.  

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community.   

Full Job description is available upon request.  

POSITION TYPE: New

JOB TYPE: Full-time Permanent 

SCHEDULE: 37.5 hrs Monday-Friday 

WORK MODEL: Hybrid - Brantford Campus  

PAY BAND: 9 ; Core range $98,665.84-$115,602.75.  The target hiring salary for this position is minimum (Step 1) up to 45% of the pay band. Considerations for new hire step placements include experiential knowledge and/or language and cultural expertise. 

BENEFITS: 

Company registered pension plan 

Dental care 

Extended health care 

Life insurance 

Paid sick and personal time