Vice President, Investment Communications

OMERS•Toronto, ON

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The VP, Investment Communications will expand, drive, and lead our global investment communications program, allowing OMERS to continue to build its brand and protect its strong reputation. This role is a key member of the Global Communications leadership team, a business partner to the office of the Chief Investment Officer (all OMERS investment teams), the sustainable investing team, and a strategic partner to the Oxford Properties communications team. The successful candidate will be accountable for originating, managing, and executing proactive and reactive communications initiatives that help OMERS inform, engage with, and inspire our audiences and stakeholders. They will be knowledgeable and curious about the global investment environment, including developments across public and private markets and sustainable investing, and will anticipate and be responsive to changes at a macro, industry, and company level. This leader will also provide strategic leadership and partnership on the communications approach associated with managing any issues that may arise within our investment portfolio, ensuring that OMERS is prepared to respond effectively. This includes accountability for relevant communications frameworks and materials, as well as close collaboration with our government relations, legal and risk teams to develop statements, communications plans, and other proactive and reactive tactics as required. This role will oversee a small, talented team and work closely with many of our senior leaders and other spokespeople. Key accountabilities include transaction announcements, media relations, issues management, event planning, investment-related internal communications, and the development of channel and content strategies. This leader will be responsible for creating an overarching investment communications program that connects with our unified investment approach, and supports the unique goals, strategies, and priority sectors and markets of our individual investment teams.

Requirements

Ability to develop and execute communications plans in support of strategic business priorities, delivering programs and products with tangible positive outcomes, on time and on budget
Ability to partner with and influence media, other key external and internal stakeholders across the organization, including at the most senior levels
Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to successfully present communications plans and materials to our investment partners
Strong analytical skills, including experience using various analytical tools to measure effectiveness, set goals, and make future recommendations regarding communications initiatives
Curiosity about and with strong knowledge of the investment industry and environment, including capital markets, and private asset classes including credit, infrastructure, private equity, and real estate
A purpose-driven leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others
Strong knowledge of current trends in traditional, digital, and social media
Ability to partner and work with our global communications agency, and other agencies as required, to connect them to our work and vision, and efficiently leverage their expertise
Excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to achieve results and make decisions in changing, complex environments

Nice To Haves

12-15 years of relevant communications experience (financial services is an asset), with a proven ability to develop creative and integrated communications plans in a dynamic environment
University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Finance, Business, or a related field; a graduate degree is an asset
Significant senior level experience in investment, financial, or corporate communications within a complex, highly regulated organization (e.g., asset management, pension funds, financial services, or large public institutions)
Strong understanding of global investment markets, asset classes, and macroeconomic trends, with the ability to translate complex strategies into clear, compelling communications
Demonstrated experience leading transaction related communications, including acquisitions, dispositions, and major investment announcements
Proven ability to develop and execute integrated investment communications strategies that support OMERS brand, reputation, and business objectives
Extensive experience in media relations, issues management, and crisis communications within a financial or investment context. Global experience is an asset.
Experience operating as a trusted advisor to senior executives, with experience supporting C suite leaders through media engagement, public appearances, and high stakes stakeholder communications
Track record of partnering effectively with investment teams, internal communications, media relations, and external partners, including portfolio companies
Exemplary people leadership experience, including building, mentoring, and leading high performing communications teams
Exceptional judgment, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential, market sensitive, or reputationally significant matters
Executive presence with the ability to influence, advise, and operate credibly at the most senior levels of the organization

Responsibilities

Further develop our investment communications strategy, including leveraging our investment successes to build the broader OMERS brand
Develop and execute asset-class specific communications strategies to support the achievement of business objectives, and to meet audience needs
Lead or partner on communications materials related to Sustainable Investing, including connecting our achievements and those of our portfolio companies to our broader investment narrative.
Plan, research, and resource communications materials, including news releases, speeches, thought leadership, digital content, and presentations
Foster strong relationships with key geographic, sector and trade media, organize and staff proactive media opportunities, and prepare responses and information for inbound media requests
Create off- and on-record programs for key investment spokespeople to ensure the development of positive relationships with relevant media
Collaborate with others on the Communications team to manage multiple digital investment channels (websites, intranet, social media), to maintain all sites to a best-in-class standard
Partner with the digital team in areas including SEO/GEO optimization, and leveraging analytics to measure the efficacy of our programs and products to inform our future direction and activities
Ensure our communications products are accurate, timely, and deliver a strong user experience
Create engaging investment content for internal, corporate and member audiences
Resource and support internal and external events/conferences/speaking engagements
Monitor for industry and sector developments, identifying and making recommendations on key issues, opportunities, and risks
Remain current on communications best practices