Position Information
Position Title
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Department/Unit
Ocean Frontier Institute
Research Project
Ocean Frontier Institute
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number
GP37-25
Employee Group
Grant-Paid
Position Type
Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
1 year, with possibility of renewal
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1.0
Salary
$68,105 - $91,237 per annum
About the Organization
The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) oversees, on behalf of Dalhousie University, six large-scale programs with total funded value of over $500M: i) Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Transforming Climate Action (TCA); ii) Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier (SSDOF); iii) Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography; iv) North Atlantic Carbon Observatory; v) Ocean School (in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada); and vi) Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, in addition to other smaller-scale research program grants.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Director of Communications and Public Relations works closely with the Chief Executive Officer & Scientific Director in leading public relations and communications strategy development and implementation in order to tell OFI’s story to various key audiences through multiple means and media with a goal to expand partnerships and support toward OFI’s strategy and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement strategies and tactics to promote and enhance OFI’s reputation and to advance key priorities and messages, and ensure that outreach and communications materials align, support, and enhance relationships and/or advocacy initiatives.
- Gather and disseminate accurate, consistent, and timely information across internal and external communication channels, including working closely with researchers at partner institutions to tell their research stories to multi-faceted audiences.
- Develop and lead OFI’s digital and social media strategy, broadcast media strategy, brand management, and relationship management.
- Plan and oversee creative design, story telling, and messaging to support OFI’s communications, public relations, and government relations goals.
- Liaise with central Communications and Marketing departments and researchers at Dalhousie University and partner universities, as well as with partner institutions in the United States and Europe.
- Provide leadership and direction to a small team of communications professionals and take a hands on approach in implementing strategy and tactics.
Note
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate Degree in public relations, communications, marketing, design, journalism or a related field, along with a minimum of 5 years of progressive public relations/communications experience, including developing and executing strategy, preferably in a complex organization; or comparable education, training, and experience.
- Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management, public relations, and communications, with a proven ability to build and maintain partnerships internally and externally.
- Proven success in creating and implementing public relations and communications strategies.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to build professional relationships with media, stakeholders, partners, researchers, and other audiences.
- Superior oral communication and presentation skills, strong writing skills, and attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
- Ability to clearly relay information in a compelling way and to translate complicated concepts into clear messages.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working independently to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated experience in leading, directing, and developing a small team.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in public relations/communications.
Assets
- Bilingual in English and French, both verbal and written.
- An understanding of ocean and/or climate science.
- Education/training in written communications.
- Experience working in government strategy and relations programs.
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans and an employee and family assistance program.
Application Consideration
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Open Date
06/09/2025
Close Date
06/23/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/18888
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