Director, Communications and Engagement

Squamish Nation • District of North Vancouver, BC

29m • CA$138,507 - CA$221,612 • Onsite

About The Position

Squamish Nation is seeking a Director, Communications and Engagement to lead and strengthen the Nation’s communications and engagement function as part of the Corporate Services Division. This senior leadership role is essential to ensuring Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People, staff, leadership, and partners are informed, engaged, and connected to the priorities, decisions, services, and stories of the Nation. You will provide strategic direction, strengthen organizational communications systems, and lead meaningful engagement grounded in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values, culture, and governance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Public Engagement, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 8–10 years of progressively senior experience in communications, public relations, engagement, corporate communications, government communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing employees, project teams, contractors, consultants, or vendors.
• Demonstrated experience building and improving communications and engagement teams, systems, processes, standards, and service models.
• Experience leading internal communications, organizational change communications, Membership engagement, and public-facing communications.
• Strong experience providing strategic advice, recommendations, briefing materials, and presentations to senior leaders and governance bodies.
• Proven success managing complex, sensitive, high-profile, or politically sensitive issues with sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, relationship-building, presentation, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Strong project management, planning, change management, and analytical skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within a First Nations government, Indigenous organization, public sector organization, or complex governance environment is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw history, culture, governance, language, land, and People is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Nation’s communications and engagement function, including strategic planning, departmental operations, budgeting, performance measurement, and team leadership.
• Provide strategic communications and engagement advice to Leadership, Council, Executive Leadership, and departments across the organization.
• Develop and implement communications and engagement strategies that support organizational priorities, major initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
• Build and improve organization-wide systems, processes, standards, workflows, and tools that support effective communications and engagement.
• Lead internal communications initiatives that keep staff informed, connected, and aligned with organizational goals and change initiatives.
• Guide Membership communications and engagement efforts to ensure Members receive clear, timely, accessible, and culturally appropriate information.
• Oversee media relations, issues management, crisis communications, reputation management, and public-facing communications.
• Manage communications channels including website, social media, newsletters, digital platforms, print materials, and media products.
• Lead and support organizational change by providing coaching, tools, training, and guidance to departments across the Nation.
• Deliver reports, metrics, analysis, and recommendations to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

Benefits

• extended medical and dental
• pension matching
• supplementary savings
• professional development budget

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior