Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Ottawa is currently searching for their next Head of Communications. As the Head of Communications, the successful applicant will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for communications output of the British High Commission and Consulates across Canada (the Canada Network, or CANET) and managing – in part directly and in part through remote leadership – those communications. 

To achieve this, the successful applicant will have strong experience communicating through traditional media, social media, and by using innovative tools of public diplomacy. They will also have a good understanding of Canadian audiences and the political environment in Canada.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Setting the strategic direction for all of the High Commission’s communications and public diplomacy output across Canada as a central delivery tool for our country business plan. This will require close co-operation with the network of four Consulates across the country, and the full range of British Government departments represented in that network.
• Providing leadership to the media and public affairs team across Canada in delivering those communications through the full range of channels to selected audiences including decision makers, opinion formers, academics and the general public, including young and diverse audience. Setting the direction for that team for an ambitious digital output.
• Advising the High Commissioner and other senior communicators across the network on the communications landscape, particularly print and broadcast media, while understanding the Canadian social media landscape. This will necessitate maintaining a strong contact network of media contacts in Ottawa and across Canada.
• Keeping abreast of political developments in Canada and the UK and developing a familiarity with UK policy across the full range of issues on which the British Government works Canada, such that they are in a position to advise senior leadership how to handle managing emerging situations and getting important British Government messages to key audiences.
• Identifying and organising, with the broader team, innovative ways of communicating, including through communications campaigns, events and marketing opportunities to ensure BHC and CANET harness UK soft power to deliver maximum impact across our objectives. As part of this bidding for and managing project funding.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• Line management of 1 Digital Media Officer
• Leadership of the communications network around Canada

Essential on arrival: 

• At least 5 years’ experience working in communications, including traditional and digital media.
• Experience organising events including managing funding.

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: English fluency required