Director, Marketing & Communications

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Marketing & Communications is a strategic leader responsible for CANS internal and external messaging, brand identity, marketing and shaping the public persona of CANS. The role integrates traditional media with advanced digital strategies and omnichannel engagement. Under the direction of the President and CEO, this position is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of all CANS' marketing/communications strategies and activities. This position is responsible for fostering a positive image and reputation and builds awareness for CANS' brand and the construction industry. The role works with the Executive Management Team and departmental leadership to establish, execute and measure marketing and communications activities, strategies and results.

II. Accountabilities

The Director creates functional strategies and specific objectives for all CANS' marketing and communication efforts, including budgets, policies, media, and procedures to support the organization across all programs and services and coordinates at strategic and tactical levels with other senior management and their teams at CANS.

III. Essential Duties & Responsibilities

This position entails, but is not limited to the following:

• Strategic Planning: Develops multi-year marketing and communications plans aligned with business goals and priorities. Creates, implements, and measures the success of comprehensive marketing strategies that enhance the organization's image and position within industry and the general public.
• Brand Management: Oversees the organization's aesthetic vision, tone of voice, and brand integrity across all platforms and organizational activities. Creates, implements, and measures the success of marketing and communication plans and strategies, including but not limited to, publications, media relations, social media, website, and email marketing.
• Team Leadership: Mentors and manages a multidisciplinary team of professsionals in graphic design, print production, content development, digital marketing, advocacy, government relations, media monitor and special projects/project management. Directs the day-to-day work and workflow of the marketing and communications team.
• Digital & Content Strategy: Leads SEO/SEM, social media, and email marketing efforts while overseeing the creation of engaging written and multimedia content (video, blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, lead-up campaigns, etc.).
• Media/Government Relations: Serves as the primary contact for press inquiries, managing public relations, and handling crisis communications. Works with the CEO to develop government relations material, proposals, funding requests and grant applications. Supports the CEO in government relations activities.
• Committee/Working Groups: Participates in CANS Standing Committees and Working Groups as needed. Supports the work of various Committees/Working Groups with strategies tactical execution of strategies/tactics that propel the achievement of established goals and objectives.
• Data Analysis & ROI: Utilizes analytics tools to track campaign performance, measure KPIs, and report actionable insights to senior leadership. Establishes and measures impact of media/marketing strategies against desired results and goals. Oversees data collection, management and communications.
• Budget Oversight: Manages the annual marketing and communications budget, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation.
• Brand Management: Manages purchasing, procurement, and approval of all branded assets. Manages all web context production, brand licencing/usage and communication platforms. Controls the flow of information between CANS and the public and ensures the quality and consistency of messaging. Maintains an awareness of organizational risks and threats and is responsible for crisis management and pre-emptive planning.
• Works collaboratively with others in a diverse and complex industry.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

IV. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Exceptional storytelling, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to make rapid, data-driven decisions in fast-paced environment.
• Able to plan, manage and evaluate multiple communications and marketing projects concurrently.
• Experience developing, implementing and measuring results of communications strategies/tactics.
• Strong media relations skills and working relationships with local, regional and national media.
• Able to research, interpret and convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent content management and creation skills.
• Exceptional writing/editing skills with the ability to produce high quality written materials.
• High level of professionalism.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to think both strategically and tactically.
• Demonstrated relationship building, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience supervising and managing people and projects.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams while maintaining overarching organizational goals.
• Highly developed organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to develop and deliver effective presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate effectively to people at all levels, both internal and external to CANS.
• Advanced computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, video/audio production platforms and common social media platforms.
• Understanding of the industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sector is considered an asset.
• Government relations experience considered an asset.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor/Diploma required in the areas of business, marketing, public relations, communications, journalism or other related education/experience from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Minimum of five years' progressively responsible experience in the areas of marketing, communications, public relations and working with media.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience assigning, monitoring, directing and evaluating the work of MARCOMM team members.

V. Working Conditions

• Mainly indoor office environment
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Considerable mental and visual concentration
• Fast-paced, deadline sensitive environment
• Frequent work-related interruptions
• Onsite management of event production
• Predominantly working from the CANS Dartmouth office
• Occasional travel and overnight stays