Director, Strategy & Transformation Communications and Branding

Scotiabank • Toronto, ON

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Strategy & Transformation Communications and Branding, Technology Infrastructure is accountable for defining, leading, and executing a comprehensive communications, engagement, and branding strategy in support of Scotia Tech’s Technology Infrastructure transformation agenda. This role ensures that the strategy, priorities, and outcomes of Technology Infrastructure transformation are clearly articulated, consistently communicated, and broadly understood across the enterprise. The Director enables alignment across employees, senior leadership, and key stakeholders by translating complex technology initiatives into compelling, accessible narratives that drive engagement and adoption. Acting as a strategic partner to the Senior Vice President, Technology Infrastructure and leadership team, the role plays a critical function in strengthening the Scotia Tech brand both internally and externally, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and transformation, and reinforcing Scotiabank’s reputation as a leader in technology-enabled banking.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, Journalism, English, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, branding, or strategic communications within large, complex organizations
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, with proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale transformation programs, preferably within technology or digital environments
• Strong understanding of technology infrastructure, digital transformation, and the financial services industry
• Proven success in designing and executing enterprise-wide communication strategies and engagement programs
• Exceptional written, verbal, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Experience in executive communications and working closely with senior leadership (VP/SVP level)
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Proficiency with communication tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office, collaboration tools, digital content platforms)

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy aligned to the Technology Infrastructure transformation roadmap and enterprise technology strategy.
• Establish a clear and compelling transformation narrative that articulates vision, objectives, progress, and value realization across a wide range of audiences.
• Provide strategic communications advisory to the SVP, Technology Infrastructure and leadership team, including development of executive messaging, presentations, speeches, and critical communications.
• Ensure all messaging is consistent, aligned with enterprise priorities, and reinforces Scotiabank’s broader strategic direction, brand, and values.
• Define communication governance, cadence, and standards to ensure effective, coordinated delivery across all channels.
• Oversee development and delivery of executive-level communications including town halls, leadership forums, board materials, and enterprise updates.
• Shape the external positioning of Technology Infrastructure through strategic participation in awards, conferences, industry events, and academic partnerships.
• Support the SVP and senior leadership in building their external voice and presence in the market as leaders in technology transformation.
• Ensure alignment with Corporate Communications on external messaging, media positioning, and reputation management.
• Design and implement engagement strategies that foster a strong sense of purpose, alignment, and pride within Scotia Tech.
• Create structured opportunities for employee dialogue, feedback, and participation through engagement campaigns, surveys, and interactive forums.
• Develop recognition and storytelling programs that highlight transformation milestones, success stories, and employee contributions.
• Drive employee understanding of transformation priorities, ensuring clear linkage between individual roles and enterprise outcomes.
• Promote a culture of transparency, inclusivity, and continuous communication during periods of change and transformation.
• Lead the development and continuous evolution of the Scotia Tech brand within Technology Infrastructure, ensuring alignment with enterprise brand standards.
• Establish and operate a multimedia design Centre of Excellence to deliver high-quality visual communications, digital assets, and storytelling content.
• Define brand guidelines, visual identity standards, and content frameworks specific to Technology Infrastructure.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality execution of branding and communications materials across all platforms and channels.
• Enhance internal and external visibility of Technology Infrastructure through innovative, engaging, and visually compelling content.
• Act as the primary liaison between Technology Infrastructure, Corporate Communications, HR, Business Lines, and other enterprise partners.
• Ensure alignment and integration of communications across operating groups, minimizing duplication and maximizing impact.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to understand priorities, risks, and communication needs.
• Advise leadership on communication strategies, stakeholder sensitivities, and reputational considerations.
• Support enterprise-wide initiatives that require coordinated communication across multiple functions and geographies.
• Partner with Technology, HR, Corporate Communications, and Transformation teams to design and deliver comprehensive communication strategies.
• Enable effective communication of technology, organizational, and process changes to minimize disruption, resistance, and ambiguity.
• Ensure messaging clearly articulates the rationale, benefits, and expected outcomes of transformation initiatives.
• Develop communication approaches that address employee concerns, reinforce key messages, and support behavioral change.
• Integrate communication strategies into broader transformation governance frameworks and execution plans.
• Oversee the creation, curation, and delivery of high-impact content across multiple formats and channels, including executive presentations and speeches, enterprise town halls and leadership communication forums, video content, multimedia storytelling, digital campaigns, intranet articles and internal communications platforms, and external-facing content supporting branding and reputation.
• Ensure all content is clear, engaging, and aligned with strategic messaging and brand standards.
• Drive innovation in content delivery through digital tools, multimedia capabilities, and storytelling techniques.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of communications, engagement, and branding initiatives.
• Monitor metrics such as employee engagement, message reach, content effectiveness, and transformation adoption.
• Provide regular insights and reporting to senior leadership, highlighting outcomes, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Continuously refine communication strategies based on feedback, data, and evolving business needs.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, and innovation within the communications function.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team consisting of communications professionals, engagement leads, analysts, and designers.
• Establish clear team structure, roles, and accountabilities aligned to strategic priorities.
• Build capabilities in strategic communications, storytelling, branding, and digital content creation.
• Create an inclusive and high-performance work environment that attracts, retains, and develops diverse talent.
• Drive succession planning and leadership development within the team.
• Ensure communications activities adhere to Scotiabank’s policies, governance frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Apply appropriate controls to manage reputational risk, confidentiality, and sensitive information.
• Ensure all communications align with enterprise standards for risk management, regulatory compliance, and conduct.
• Support audit, risk, and compliance activities as required related to communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
• Create an environment in which his/her team pursues effective and efficient operations of his/her respective areas, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational risk, regulatory compliance risk, AML/ATF risk and conduct risk, including but not limited to responsibilities under the Operational Risk Management Framework, Regulatory Compliance Risk Management Framework, AML/ATF Global Handbook and the Guidelines for Business Conduct.
• Build a high performance environment and implements a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops and motivates their team by fostering an inclusive work environment and using a coaching mindset and behaviours; communicating vison/values/business strategy; and, managing succession and development planning for the team.

Benefits

• Upskilling through online courses, cross-functional development opportunities, and tuition assistance.
• Competitive Rewards program including bonus, flexible vacation, personal, sick days and benefits will start on day one.

What This Job Offers

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