Education and experience:

• A post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, public relations or any related field; (Candidates with 5 years of experience in a leadership role related to communications may also be considered);
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a senior strategic communications role;
• A minimum of five (5) years experience leading a team and utilizing management practices such as budgeting, performance management and staff development;
• Experience in a labour or social justice organization; or comparable public sector experience is considered an asset;
• Excellent managerial skills and experience to lead a diverse team of skilled practitioners in a unionized environment in a variety of pressure situations and the ability to anticipate and adapt to changes and to lead, inspire, motivate teams to implement strategic organizational decisions.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge in Communications and political action, strategic planning, organizational change;
• Knowledge and experience using various campaign tactics;
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to effectively shape public opinion and develop campaign that lead to policy or legislative change;
• Knowledge of the PSAC policies and programs objectives;
• Strong knowledge of the political and operational inter-relationships within a large national union organization;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of labour management strategies, interpretations, positions and approaches;
• Good knowledge of the organization and structure of the federal public sector, and the Canadian Parliamentary system.

Abilities:

• Ability to work with external stakeholders such as, but not limited to, advertising firms to identify the most appropriate strategies to further advance the PSAC’s strategic agenda;
• Ability to interpret public opinion research, including polling and focus groups and use the information to shape messages, campaigns and advertising;
• Significant leadership, negotiations and facilitation skills within a unionized environment to provide the PSAC leadership with sound counsel on communication strategies, human resources, financial management, organizational development, program management and evaluation related to Communications, campaigns and political action;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic organizational plan and policies as well as to communicate broad organizational policies and priorities;
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to think strategically and anticipate future trends to effectively build organizational capacity;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with conflicts, build credibility and trust between the parties and support/promote union-management partnerships;
• Excellent judgment; demonstrated problem-solving, consultative, persuasive and conflict resolution skills to provide sound direction and advice on a variety of complex operational and/or political issues;
• Strong understanding of a variety of leading-edge issues, which are highly important to the labour movement;
• Strong computer skills; and advanced writing and public speaking and communication skills in English and French to communicate orally and in writing.

Personal suitability:

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to trade union and equity principles and social justice objectives.

A detailed job description is available on our website: http://psacunion.ca/jobs-psac or on the attached document.