Senior Director, Communications and Public Engagement

Requisition ID: 44259 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

The City of Vancouver is seeking an exceptional Senior Director, Communications and Engagement to lead its Civic Engagement and Communications (CEC) department. This person will play a pivotal role in shaping the City's reputation, public dialogue and connection with its residents.

Reporting to the Chief of External Relations, the Senior Director, Communications and Engagement provides strategic leadership in communications, public engagement, and media relations across the City. The Director serves as a key link between the City Manager’s Office, Council, the Mayor’s Office, and City departments, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with strategic priorities.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape how the City communicates with and engages the public. The role offers the chance to contribute directly to building trust, transparency, and inclusiveness in civic life.

This role leads the Civic Engagement and Communications (CEC) department, guiding coordinated citywide strategic communications planning and delivery, engagement planning, and issues management.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary strategic advisor on communications and engagement to the City Manager, Council, Mayor’s Office, and senior staff.
• Lead the CEC department, overseeing citywide communications and engagement.
• Shape and coordinate the planning and delivery of high-impact public engagement strategies across all City departments.
• Align engagement and communications efforts with Council’s strategic priorities and best practices.
• Act as the City's representative on interagency groups and manage relationships with other governments, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the department’s budget and staffing, ensuring strategic resource allocation and project execution.
• Leading crisis communication and media relations with sound judgment and political sensitivity.
• Integrate equity considerations, Indigenous communications practices and the City’s Language Access Policy into communications and engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in communications, public engagement, or external relations, including senior leadership in complex organizations, ideally in the public sector.
• Deep understanding of government operations, public policy, and the political landscape, with the ability to provide non-partisan support to elected officials.
• Proven ability to lead large, high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, manage complex issues, and build strong relationships across departments and sectors.
• Expertise in strategic communications, including messaging, crisis management, digital and social media, internal communications and executive communications support.
• Strong knowledge of public engagement principles (e.g., IAP2), with experience in inclusive, large-scale community outreach and engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on reaching multilingual and culturally diverse communities.
• Excellent judgment, communication skills, and political acuity, with a collaborative and service-oriented leadership approach.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week with a mimimum three days in office and from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager (1010) 

Affiliation: Senior Exempt 

Salary Information:  RNG-121: $140626 to $185023 per annum

Application Close: July 16, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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