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Under the direction of the Director, Communications, Political Action, and Campaigns (CPAC), the Assistant Director, Communications, Political Action, and Campaigns plays a leadership role in supporting the communications objectives of the PSAC.
Responsibilities include overall management and administration of the teams under his or her portfolio.
This position helps lead a dynamic team of people skilled in communications, online engagement, issue-based campaigning, and political action. The Assistant Director is accountable for delivering external communications and providing strategic advice to PSAC’s elected leadership.
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.
The PSAC is committed to employment equity and is actively seeking to ensure a representative workforce. We encourage applications from members of equity seeking groups.