Senior Communications Strategist Job Ottawa area,Ontario Canada,Marketing / Advertising / PR

About the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (OCIL)

The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages is dedicated to promoting and championing Indigenous languages by supporting the efforts of Indigenous Peoples across Canada to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages.

Our national team is passionate about our work, and the difference we make with the research, resources and innovation we develop collaboratively with partners and share with Indigenous communities. We have policies in place to ensure a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace, as well as rigorous standards for transparency and accountability.

Our Vision:

All Indigenous languages in Canada are safe, vibrant, and thriving.

Our Guiding Principles

There is an urgent need for concerted efforts and investments toward the revitalization of Indigenous languages to arrest and reverse the erosion that has already occurred. Research shows that no Indigenous language in Canada is safe and that all are in varying stages of endangerment.

Indigenous languages are fundamental to the identities, cultures, spirituality, relationships to the land, worldviews, and self-determination of Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous languages have and continue to contribute to the strength of Canada as a whole, including biodiversity and the richness of linguistic and cultural heritage. The Commission is committed to protecting the vitality of all Indigenous languages, including sign languages and sleeping languages.

We welcome interest by qualified candidates as we expand our national team to launch new, exciting projects and to meet growing organizational needs.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager of Communications, the Senior Communications Strategist supports the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives that advance the mandate and priorities of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. The role provides strategic communications advice and support to help ensure the Commission’s work is communicated clearly, accurately, and in alignment with its values.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Manager to develop and implement internal and external communications plans, strategies, and campaigns that support the Commission’s mandate and priorities.

Develop communications products including press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&A, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.

Provide strategic communications advice to senior leadership on messaging, media readiness, and reputational risk.

Lead and support media relations activities, including proactive media planning, spokesperson preparation, press releases, and media materials.

Support communications planning and delivery for public engagements, announcements, national initiatives, and special projects.

Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, and external partners to support outreach and engagement efforts.

Provide direction on digital and multimedia storytelling across social media, web platforms, and campaign channels.

Work with the Innovation Multimedia Coordinator to develop engaging digital content, including short-form videos, reels, and long-form video content for You Tube.

Monitor website performance and digital engagement metrics to identify opportunities to strengthen user experience, reach, and brand awareness.

Review and edit communications materials to ensure clarity, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with Commission priorities and values.

Coordinate communications timelines, workflows, approvals, and quality control across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Collaborate with the Manager on the development of the…