Communications Lead // Responsable des communications

Position Communications Lead

Reports to Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location Flexible within Canada

Job Type Full-time, permanent with frequent travel

Start Date January 5, 2027

The french job posting is available here /L'offre d'emploi en français est disponible ici .

ABOUT SWIMMING CANADA

Swimming Canada serves as the national governing body of competitive swimming. We inspire Canadians through world leading performances to embrace a lifestyle of swimming, sport, fitness and health. Canadians are global leaders in high performance swimming and development for both Olympic Program and Paralympic Program swimmers. Swimming is recognized as one of the most celebrated and successful Canadian Summer Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Swimming Canada strives to foster a workplace in which all individuals maximize their potential, regardless of their differences. We are committed to attracting, developing and celebrating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Communications Lead is responsible for developing and executing the Swimming Canada’s communications strategy, telling the story of our athletes and high-performance program, strengthen ing the organization’s reputation, increase external engagement, and support organizational priorities. The role provides leadership across media relations, corporate communications, digital and content strategy, crisis management, and communications operations.

The Lead directly supervises the Manager, Communications, the Manager, Translation, and oversees a roster of external communications professionals, including photographers, content creators, writers, and other specialized contractors and consultants.

The Lead will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, ensuring communications activities are proactive, integrated, responsive, and aligned with organizational goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Leadership

Advocate a values-driven, positive culture by championing constructive change, challenging the status quo, and fostering an environment where people feel empowered to grow and contribute.

Lead the development and implementation of the annual communications strategy, with targeted initiatives that support organizational priorities, business objectives, and engagement goals across all departments.

Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to executive leadership on emerging issues, opportunities, and reputational risks.

Lead communications planning for major initiatives, programs, announcements, events, and organizational change.

Establish communications objectives, key performance indicators, and measurement frameworks to evaluate effectiveness and impact.

Ensure communications activities align with organizational values, brand standards, and strategic priorities.

Establish team goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans.

Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented communications culture.

Lead, coach, and mentor the Communications team.

Lead the development and management of communications budgets, work plans, and resource allocation.

Collaborate with senior leadership team, as well as department and/or team leads on their communications needs.

Corporate Communications and Operations

Establish and maintain communications processes, practices, standards, and workflows.

Ensure management of editorial calendars, requests for content, and content approval processes.

Ensure compliance with organizational policies, accessibility standards, language requirements, and communications best practices.

Oversee translation services to ensure all communications products meet organizational language standards and legislative requirements.

Leverage communications technologies, analytics tools, and content management systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the organization.

Monitor emerging communications trends, technologies, and best practices.

Advise on communications strategies that support Swimming Canada’s mandate, key messaging, and organizational values and culture.

Write executive and leadership communications, including speeches, presentations, messages, and briefing materials.

Crisis Communications

Lead communications planning and response during issues, incidents, and crises.

Develop crisis communications frameworks, protocols, and response plans.

Advise leadership on messaging, user communications, and reputation management during sensitive situations.

Coordinate rapid response communications and media inquiries.

Media Relations

Serve as the organization's lead media contact and spokesperson, as appropriate.

Lead the development of media strategies, key messages, media advisories, press/news releases, briefing materials, and speaking points.

Coordinate interview requests, media events, and press conferences.

Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities to enhance organizational visibility and thought leadership.

Lead the development and delivery of media training for senior and development athletes, coaches, staff, Integrated Support Team (IST) members, Board members, and other groups as required.

Serve as national team media attaché at major championships and Games.

Content Management

Oversee and manage the sourcing and management of external writers, photographers, videographers, and other content providers.

Act as lead writer and editor-in-chief for all Swimming Canada content.

Ensure timely and accurate organizational content is shared on all channels.

Lead the management and operationalization of website content best practices for content owners, in collaboration with the Marketing team.

External Communications

Lead the development and execution of external communications plans that enhance organizational reputation and build trust, including Annual Report.

Oversee the development of compelling, audience-focused content across digital, print, social media, video, and multimedia channels.

Collaborate with the Marketing team on campaigns to ensure consistent messaging.

Guide storytelling initiatives that showcase organizational impact, strategic priorities, and success stories.

Ensure content is accessible, inclusive, and consistent with brand standards.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in corporate and crisis communications, content management, and media operations.

Experience within the national sport sector is considered a strong asset.

Post-secondary education in communications, public relations or a related field is preferred.

Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects, and work comfortably in a deadline driven environment.

Strong people management and leadership skills, with experience managing employees and contractors, including supporting day-to-day needs, managing / mediating conflict, providing performance feedback, and coaching/mentoring.

Ability to lead, collaborate with, motivate and influence various groups, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.

Strong creative thinker and problem solver, with a values and results-oriented mindset.

Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Excellent verbal and writing skills in English are required, with fluency in French being a very strong asset.

High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, with strong proficiency utilizing media, communications, and content management platforms and technologies.

Currently legally eligible to work in Canada.

The ability to travel domestically and internationally on a regular basis is required.

A valid driver’s license with eligibility to drive a rental vehicle domestically and internationally would be an asset.

WORK LOCATION

This is a full-time, permanent position with a