Director, Communications

About Us

The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety is responsible for overseeing Saskatchewan’s correctional system and facilities, and for providing guidance and support to Saskatchewan’s municipal police services.

The Communications Branch in the Ministry of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety works in a fast-paced and engaging environment. The Branch is primarily responsible for raising awareness about Ministry initiatives, programs and services. The Branch oversees and executes a wide variety of internal and external communications, and supports all areas of the Ministry in achieving their communications goals.

The Opportunity

The Communications Branch is seeking a dynamic, creative, and motivated strategic leader to create communications materials and support the design and delivery of communication strategies for a broad range of Ministry initiatives. As the Director of Communications you will work independently and as a leader mentoring a team responsible for providing communications support to various areas of the Ministry. Your superior judgment, critical thinking skills, and ability to develop Ministry initiatives, strategies and issues will be critical in achieving the Ministry's goals.

• Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications your responsibilities will include:
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior government officials and senior management teams on items supporting proactive issues management, stakeholder relations and advancing Ministry and government direction;
• Design and implement communication activities intended to communicate Ministry business priorities to internal and external stakeholders;
• Integrating complex and often sensitive information from numerous sources into various communication mediums (communications strategies, speaking notes, news releases, briefing materials, key messages, and correspondence);
• Analyzing information and various correspondence relevant to Ministry programs and policies needs;
• Providing oversight for operational activities such as Ministry advertising, media placement, media relations and stakeholder relations;
• Leading a team of communication professionals in developing, implementing and evaluating communication strategies and tools; and
• Developing and managing the Ministry's annual communications plan, ensuring that communications activities are aligned with the Ministry's key strategic directions.

The Ideal Candidate

As our successful candidate, you will be a strategic leader with strong communication and interpersonal skills. You will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of strategic communication principles, theories and tools;
• Expertise in media relations, issues management and strategic communications;
• A proven ability to lead and collaborate, with a reputation for integrity and a focus on service excellence and innovation;
• Experience in business planning, continuous improvement, accountability processes and risk management;
• The ability to research, analyze and integrate complex and often sensitive information from numerous sources in a timely manner;
• The ability to effectively communicate information and decision-making processes to internal and external stakeholders;
• The ability to think critically and view issues and challenges from multiple perspectives; and
• The ability to exercise judgment and discretion in managing sensitive or critical issues.

Additionally, knowledge of policing or corrections-specific communications, such as working with the RCMP or Correctional Service Canada, is considered an asset but not mandatory.

Typically, the knowledge and competencies required for this position would be acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or a related field of study supplemented with extensive experience in strategic communications planning and public media relations. Working knowledge of change management and cultural engagement is an asset.

What We Offer

The Ministry offers dynamic and challenging work for talented individuals in an environment that supports innovation, creativity, diversity and inclusion. In addition, the Saskatchewan public service offers a number of employment advantages such as:

• A competitive salary;
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension;
• Advancement opportunities;
• Flexible work arrangements; and
• Vacation, scheduled days off (SDO) and other types of leave.