Senior Communications Advisor

Job description

ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕋᓱᐊᖅᑐ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᖏᕈᑎᐅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐸᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕐᑎᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᓄᑦ. ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑐᕐᐸᑦᓯ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅᑖᕋᓱᐊᖃᑕᐅᔪᓯ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᖁᓪᓗᓯ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᑦᓯᓐᓂᒃ. Iqqanaijaaqtaarasuaqtut ilagijauqataullutik Inuit Nunanganni Nunalirinirnmut Angirutiusimajunut sivulliqpautauniaqtut iqqanaijaaqtaartitaujunnaqtunut. Ikajuqturpatsi iqqanaijaaqtaarasuaqataujusi nalunaiqsiqullusi ilagijauqataunitsinnik. APPLICANTS WHO ARE REGISTERED UNDER AN INUIT LAND CLAIMS AGREEMENT WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY HIRING. WE ENCOURAGE INUIT APPLICANTS TO SELF-IDENTIFY. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ENSURE AUTHENTICITY OF INUIT OR OTHER INDIGENOUS IDENTITY CLAIMS. Closing Date: September 7, 2026 Senior Communications Advisor - Existing position Band 4: $70,276.62 - $87,845.78 **Compensation is aligned with internal equity and market benchmarks. In limited circumstances, offers above the posted range may be considered for candidates with exceptional qualifications or highly specialized expertise** This role, as with all positions at ITK is 100% in-office, requires being in the office full-time at 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON. We do not use AI to assess or screen applications. Our hiring process is grounded in human review and values lived experience, cultural competency, and diverse career paths, in addition to formal education and work experience. JOB SUMMARY The Senior Communications Advisor is responsible for anticipating, planning, and delivering strategic communications, events, and campaigns that advance ITK’s mandate as the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada. This is a hands-on, senior role that combines strategic planning, media relations, event and project management, and content leadership. The Advisor integrates across ITK teams to support policy advancement and advocacy. The successful candidate will bring experience in both communications strategy and execution, ensuring ITK’s priorities are communicated with clarity, cultural integrity, and impact to Inuit, partners, and the Canadian public. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Strategic Communications & Media Relations Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated communications strategies Lead proactive and responsive media relations: prepare media lines, FAQs, news releases, statements, backgrounders, and coordinate interviews. Provide counsel on messaging, media tactics, and reputational risk; prepare Q&As, briefing materials, and speaking points. Support issues management and crisis response as needed. Event & Project Management Lead the planning and execution of ITK-led events, announcements, and national gatherings. Develop event recommendations and communications plans that reflect Inuit values and strengthen relationships with Inuit regions and partners. Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring accountability and smooth execution. Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and partners to deliver professional, culturally grounded events and campaigns. Content Development Oversee content creation across ITK channels (social media, website, newsletters, reports, speeches, presentations). Ensure accessibility, accuracy, and cultural integrity in all ITK materials. Contribute to ITK publications including annual reports, quarterly reports, and the magazine. Team Integration Work closely with managers across ITK to anticipate communications needs and develop tailored plans for policy-specific initiatives. Participate in cross-functional planning and resource allocation. Monitoring & Reporting Track communications performance with analytics and media monitoring. Report regularly with insights and recommendations. Maintain awareness of political and media trends affecting Inuit and Indigenous organizations. KEY CONTACTS INTERNAL CONTACTS Communications Director and department Corporate Services and Executive department as required for approvals. Departments within ITK serve as client base. EXTERNAL CONTACTS Inuit regions Different levels of Government ITK partners QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Strong knowledge of Inuit regions, history, and political structures. Experience in both strategic communications and event/project management. Excellent writing and editing skills; ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; sensitive, empathetic, and culturally aware. Media relations expertise, including spokesperson preparation and issues management. Ability to manage multiple deadlines, budgets, and projects concurrently. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and web content management (WordPress). Basic photography and design/layout knowledge an asset. EXPERIENCE 5+ years of experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs. Demonstrated experience leading events and/or large projects. Previous work with an Inuit or Indigenous organization strongly preferred. Experience in a political, advocacy, or government setting is an asset. EDUCATION Degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Public Affairs, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. BENEFITS Conditional to ITK’s Human Resources Policies, you may be eligible for: 100% employer-paid group insurance upon hire Employer RRSP contributions Annual training allowance Excellent health and wellness allowance Relocation allowance Vacation – starting at 3 weeks/year Paid Christmas break (usually between Xmas and New Year) Candidates with exceptional skills or experience may be considered for compensation above the posted range. *Applicants who are registered under an Inuit Land Claims Agreement will be given priority hiring. We encourage Inuit applicants to self-identify. We reserve the right to ensure authenticity of Inuit or other Indigenous identity claims. We would like to thank all applicants in advance for their interest in ITK however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.