External Communications Leader, Associate Director

The opportunity

As the Associate Director — External Communications Leader, you will lead a national team of Public Relations and Social Media professionals to develop and execute integrated strategies that enhance our external presence and engagement with the public.

As a marketing-savvy communicator and a leader in your field, you possess a remarkable talent for writing that engages wide audiences and inspires meaningful action. You have a strong competitive spirit coupled with a strategic mindset that drives you to anticipate future trends and identify how to stand out against the noise of an increasingly crowded external market. You thrive in fast-paced, matrixed corporate settings where unpredictability is the norm, leveraging your exceptional attention to detail to drive impactful outcomes. Passionate about bringing out the best in your people, you role model innovative thinking, creativity, quality and exceptional stakeholder engagement. You know that building relationships is key to long-term success.

At EY Canada, you’ll find an environment that not only welcomes your ambition but recognizes the impact you can deliver to help us shape the future with confidence.  

Your key responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director of Communications & Engagement to enhance and evolve our External Communications function, including building and upholding a framework that enables the team to achieve their goals while simultaneously meeting our organizational objectives.
• Create a dynamic team environment where Public Relations and Social Media team members are encouraged to bring ideas forward, take calculated risks and lead with curiosity.
• Establish more defined processes and policies for collaboration across the broader Brand, Marketing & Communications team, and EY Canada overall.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy that outlines how the team will interact with key internal and external audiences, ensuring consistent messaging and relationship building.
• Stay abreast of key Brand, Marketing & Communications-related trends as well as market activity to maximize the relevance of team outputs.  
• Identify and implement effective communication channels and tools that facilitate information sharing, project management and team collaboration, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Engage with EY Global and Region counterparts to create a network of insight-sharing and collaboration to uplift the quality and innovation of our work.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly assessing team outcomes, encouraging innovative approaches to enhance effectiveness and team performance.
• Drive performance management that includes regular feedback, goal-setting and professional development plans tailored to individual team members’ strengths and career aspirations.
• Uphold crisis communication protocols in collaboration with the Reputation Management Lead to ensure coordinated and timely response to corporate or client issues. 
• Oversee External Communications team budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support team initiatives and operational needs, while maximizing return on investment.

Skills and attributes for success

• A strategic mindset focused on initiating new ideas and stories to elevate the EY brand and enhance our share of voice around priority topics and initiatives.
• Ability to think outside the box and develop engaging and innovative communications with a strong understanding of how best to deliver tactics across different channels.
• Readiness to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, while effectively juggling multiple tasks with a client-centric approach and sense of urgency to meet executive deadlines.
• Stellar communication skills, with the ability to understand and communicate complex ideas persuasively and efficiently across various communications channels.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills within a timely delivery.
• Ability to contribute to communications deliverables while simultaneously managing, coaching and motivating a team of professionals across Canada.
• Extensive experience advising and supporting executive leadership on personal brand strategies.
• Experience liaising with leadership, Risk Management and/or Legal teams on corporate issues.
• Understanding of communications measurement tools, tactics and benchmarks — and how to link outputs back to organizational objectives.
• Organized and articulate, with impeccable attention to detail.
• What we look forPost-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing communications or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of professional communications experience.
• Deep understanding and extensive experience planning and supporting strategic communications campaigns and executive communications.
• Proven experience and comfort navigating a highly matrixed, fast-paced yet dynamic work environment with the ability to remain organized, multitask and adapt quickly.
• Experience managing, coaching and inspiring a large team of professionals.
• Strong experience working with or managing C-suite executives.

Ideally you will also have

• Familiarity using media relations and social media software, such as Cision and/or Meltwater, Hootsuite etc.
• Experience with incident and crisis management communications.
• This role involves interaction with internal and external clients and professionals nationally and globally. Professional competency in the English language is therefore a requirement of this role. Bilingualism in both French and English is considered an asset.
• Previous experience in a Professional Services firm is an asset.
• Previous experience in editorial environments is an asset.

This job posting relates to an existing vacancy within our organization.

What we offer

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future. Our Total Rewards package includes a discretionary bonus program, a comprehensive medical, prescription drug and dental coverage plan, a defined contribution pension plan, a great vacation policy plus firm paid days that allow you to enjoy longer long weekends throughout the year, statutory holidays and paid personal days (based on province of residence), and a range of exciting programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being. Plus, we offer:

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues in the industry
• Learning opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

EY reports salary ranges in accordance with applicable provincial pay transparency legislation. Individual salaries within the anticipated salary ranges noted below are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity, education, relevant experience, knowledge, and applicable skill sets.

• Vancouver: $124,100 to $206,900

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

To help create the best experience during the recruitment process, please describe any accommodations you may need.

Inclusiveness at EY

Inclusiveness is at the heart of who we are and how we work. We’re committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.

Learn about our commitment to Inclusiveness at https://www.ey.com/en_ca/about-us/corporate-responsibility/equity

At EY, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as one element of our recruitment process to enhance efficiency and improve the candidate experience. While AI supports us in our process, human judgment and decision-making remain integral in our candidate experience. We are committed to the responsible use of AI, and our practices are continuously reviewed and refined to ensure they align with the highest ethical principles and regulatory requirements.

To all recruitment agencies: EY does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior agreement or request from our hiring team will not be considered. EY is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.