Central 1 is the partner of choice for financial, digital banking and payment products and services – fueling the success of businesses across Canada. We leverage our scale, strength and expertise to power progress for more than 250 credit unions and other financial institutions, enhancing the financial well-being of more than five million customers from coast to coast. For more information, visit Central1.com

Because of COVID19, all Central1 offices are currently closed to non-essential employees. This role will see you working remotely until our offices are reopened. The timeline to reopen is still under consideration, as are our future remote working policies.   

This position is open to employees across all of our office locations (Vancouver, Toronto and Mississauga).

What you'll be doing: 

This role oversees and implements the strategic planning and operational requirements of communication and services for all Central 1 audiences in support of Central 1’s people, lines of business and services. This role is one of a business-fluent leader and storyteller. Reporting to the VP Communications and Stakeholder Relations, the director will work with other senior leaders at Central 1 in support of the organization’s strategy, purpose and culture.

Through the lens of an experienced strategic communications professional, the person in this position will plan, oversee and deliver communications to the Central 1 audiences outlined below. All work supports Central 1’s key strategic and business objectives.

Leadership

• Develop and execute key performance indicators related to communications.
• Maximize performance of individuals and communications teams by mentoring, coaching, developing, motivating and managing communication department team members.
• Support collaboration across individual projects and teams, and by acting as a subject matter expert.
• Drive the effectiveness of the department, communicating openly, solving problems proactively, offering creative ideas and working as a positive, engaged team member.
• Develop and build talent and high-performing teams through mentoring, feedback and by supporting professional development opportunities.
• Ensure institutional learning through best-practice sharing/continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership to communications professionals, contractors and/or external agencies.

Employee Engagement

• Support employee engagement, efficiency and delivery with outcome-based messaging and channels that reflect the strategic business objectives and cultural values of Central 1.
• Develop and maintain a crisis communications plan for Central 1, as well as related crisis communications procedures.

Leaders (Executive and Board)

• Enable strong delivery by people leaders both internally and externally with proactive planning, messaging and counselling, including on sensitive issues. 
• Advise on briefing and training as needed for media inquiries and other issues management.
• Oversee corporate communications activities, including corporate writing, reporting and other related material targeted at the Board and its committees, as well as the financial community, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements as required.

Other external stakeholders

• Facilitate easy relationships and consistent messaging with external agencies such as government regulators, community organizations, membership groups, local marketing and public relations communities and news media to support organizational goals.
• Act as Central 1's spokesperson on communications matters in national and extra-provincial initiatives.

Members, clients, the public

• Work collaboratively with stakeholder and member relations leads to ensure consistent, targeted messaging.
• Oversee and ensure reliability of Central 1's digital tools, including external websites and social media.

What you'll have: 

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or a related field with 10+ years of progressively senior experience in organizational communications.
• Previous experience working for public sector organizations would be an asset.
• A professional designation from a recognized professional association, such as IABC or CPRS, is desirable.
• Advanced storytelling skills, both written and oral, with the ability to deliver clear and compelling messaging in a variety of styles and media including speech writing, business-to-business communications and other forms of corporate communications.
• Solid project management skills and a demonstrated ability to multitask and set priorities with tight timelines and high client expectations.
• An ability to quickly grasp complex technical and business concepts and express them in clear language.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical experience, and the ability to communicate through ambiguous and complex issues, to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Warm customer-centric mentality, credibility and executive presence that shows up in every interaction.
• A strong fit with the core values of Central 1.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, a high EQ and a proven ability to influence and motivate.
• Confident team leadership skills; committed to service-oriented collaboration and coaching.

As much as we believe in working hard, we also believe in personal growth and taking time for ourselves. Accordingly, our total rewards philosophy amounts to one of the best compensation and benefits packages in the industry – from performance-based incentives and extended benefits, to training and education reimbursements and ample vacation time.

Central 1 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We are welcoming of all applicants and we will provide an accessible candidate experience.

Reporting to: VP, Stakeholder Relations & Communications
Grade: J
Date Posted: June 16, 2021
Internal Applicants must apply by: June 23, 2021