With new public affairs leadership, the brand new position of Director, Media and Issues, is a senior leader role in the organization and one that will have broad influence to grow and evolve BC Ferries’ relationship with media and communications approach to issues management. Help us chart a course into the future with a focus on strategic communications, media relations and issues management.
To be the right fit, you are an empowering leader – someone who is calm, strategic and tactical under pressure and who can see the big picture beyond any daily issues. You are a relationship-builder and problem-solver, seeking a role where you can make a difference every day. You’ve done this type of work before, you have trusted and familiar relationships with media, and you can inspire and grow a team to pull in the same direction.
The right candidate for this role is a proven strategic communicator who understands and can integrate storytelling with proactive issues management. You can relate to a wide variety of professional backgrounds, have exceptional executive presence and can influence decision makers. You also have experience on camera or as a media spokesperson. Prior experience working with Indigenous communities or broad stakeholder groups is considered an asset.
The Role
Reporting to the Executive Director, Communications and Engagement and managing a small team, you add value and are energized by key areas of oversight such as:
- Ensuring consistency in media strategy, commitments and expectations across all BC Ferries’ plans and frameworks
- Providing strategic advice and guidance on media and issues management strategy, responses, tactics and best practices
- Directing and providing support to team members and cross-departmental teams in preparing responses to emerging issues and crisis communication
- Working across departments to ensure alignment of media and issues management strategies with related strategies and activities, e.g. corporate communications and marketing, customer care, community relations, Indigenous relations, capital projects, etc.
- Acting as the initial touch point for media, MLA offices and key stakeholders, particularly related to issues that may arise
- Building strong, lasting relationships with media members, key stakeholders and Provincial representatives, and internally with leaders and subject matter experts across BC Ferries
- Leading Issues and Media Relations team including performance planning, assessment, feedback, and development of direct reports
- Managing, guiding and coaching team members in media relations and issues management best practices
What you bring to the team
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, community engagement or equivalent required
- 10+ years’ experience in strategic communications, media, issues management, and crisis communications
- Experience in a public relations or communications role with high visibility in the public eye. Candidates with established media connections (i.e., writers and reporters) are highly preferred
- Experience working with senior executives
- Experience in a leadership role of growing and developing a high-functioning team
- Experience working in (and preferably leading) a crisis communications environment
- Strategic thinking and strategy development
- Experience working in a large organization and successfully translating and communicating operational priorities in plain language
- Strong ability to build and maintain relationships internally and externally
- Willingness to work flexible hours under changing conditions