Director Of Communications And Public Relations

About Walker

Walker Industries, a fifth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1887, operates from its base in the Niagara Region with facilities across Canada and the United States. We employ more than 1,200 people in environmental waste management and recovery, renewable energy, paving and construction, aggregates, and emulsions chemistries.

Growth and transformation are a natural part of our business and our employees evolve with us.

We are looking for a Director of Communications & Public Relations at our Oakville location.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, and the incumbent has responsibility for defining and executing the overall communications strategy inclusive of media relations, community engagement, employee engagement and internal communications. The incumbent will provide strategic leadership and ensure consistency of voice across all communication initiatives in alignment with brand positioning to support external relationships while enhancing the Walker culture internally. The incumbent liaises with external stakeholders, community leaders/influencers, consultants and senior executives to continuously monitor, create and improve policies, procedures and programs, supporting all WIHL companies and operations to execute established corporate communication standards.

Responsibilities

• Executes overall Community Engagement strategy and Walker Volunteering Program ensuring consistency of approach and key messaging across all Walker entities and geographies. Works with divisional groups to address local and project specific needs, empowering and supporting project teams to effectively execute programs in alignment with the Walker brand strategy.
• Manages and oversees the employee engagement platform and communications to employees on corporate matters across the organization, including the internal social media, executive townhalls, and corporate newsletters.
• Responsible for the budgeting and management of all corporate communication strategy expenditures, with oversight of the development and execution of division specific initiatives. This includes oversight of communication-related vendors.
• Reviews and supports all key corporate materials, such as the annual sustainability report, branded positioning documents and policies.
• Works with the Senior Vice President Marketing & Corporate Affairs and across the Senior Management Team and divisional groups to build on existing internal communication efforts to create a cohesive and effective internal communications strategy. Develops a sustainable and consistent process to inform internal stakeholders about company directives and in so doing supports employee engagement, retention and alignment to the overall company vision and mission.
• Reports monthly on all media engagement and opportunities to position the Walker brand and message.
• Manages all media relations, reviewing, updating and ensuring alignment to external communication policies and procedures. The Director of Communications & Public Relations will represent Walker as needed and will support identified internal spokespeople to ensure information released is in alignment with the strategy at large.
• Supports executive team with key messaging and content for public engagements and presentations.
• Oversees day to day management, motivation and development of direct reports, supporting additional divisional staff with internal communication responsibilities to ensure quality, consistency and alignment of all communication initiatives.
• Reviews and updates Crisis Management protocols as relates to internal and external communications and ensures process, roles and responsibilities are understood and executed by all internal stakeholders. Creates, reviews and adjusts crisis messaging as needed.

Skills

• Operates in accordance with the Walker Values of resilience, environment, accountability, community-mindedness, and humility.
• Team – collaborative and service-minded.
• Extensive knowledge of communications, public and media relations and associated technologies
• Able to work with limited supervision and to take discretionary action as required.
• Business acumen with an advanced understanding of the impact and necessity of effective communications management.
• Advanced ability to plan and oversee workload and provide constructive performance feedback.
• Excellent MS Office 365 skills for Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Proactive - anticipates and initiates action to meet needs.
• Responsive and results-driven with strong project management and strategic thinking skills. Understands how to establish KPI and engagement metrics.
• .Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
• Operates as a trusted partner and resource for all communication matters on behalf of the organization.
• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with general public, industry associates and colleagues, including senior management.
• Crisis management and contingency planning experience
• Assembling, developing and managing a diversely skilled communications team
• Adaptable - able to work with diverse personalities and styles.

Experience the Benefits of Working at Walker

Career Support

• Education reimbursement, training, and professional development opportunities
• Reimbursement of professional dues and tuition
• Internal advancement opportunities at all levels

Health & Well Being

• Wellness subsidy to support healthy lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Culture & Community

• 2 paid volunteer days per year
• Social and networking events

Salary/Wage & Benefits

• Competitive salary including a bonus component
• Term life insurance and critical illness
• Paid vacation days
• Short-term and long-term disability plans
• Retirement programs including Pension, RRSP and TFSA
• Group health/dental/vision/prescription drug plans

To learn more, visit walkerind.com

How to Apply

Through this LinkedIn posting

OR

Online through Fitzi: www.fitzii.com/apply/77892