Senior Communications Strategist

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&As, 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 YouTube.

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 Commission’s annual report.

Qualifications Required:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, media, marketing, public policy, or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

4–6 years of professional experience in strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible, and culturally responsive communications products.

Demonstrated ability to develop communications materials such as press releases, briefing notes, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, backgrounders, presentations, and related materials.

Strong understanding of communications planning, message development, and media readiness in support of public-facing initiatives and senior leadership communications.

Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with Indigenous communities, National Indigenous Organizations, external partners, and internal colleagues.

Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while managing sensitive information.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Working knowledge of digital communications, social media platforms, website content management, and multimedia storytelling.

Ability to coordinate across teams and support multiple concurrent projects with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability and willingness to travel across Canada, as required.

Assets

Previous experience working with Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, or Indigenous-led initiatives is considered a strong asset.

Bilingualism in English and French is considered a strong asset.

• Location
• Ottawa, Ontario (preferred). The Commission may consider candidates located elsewhere in Canada.

What We Offer

The Commission offers a competitive benefits package, including medical and dental benefits and a pension plan, three weeks paid holidays to begin, plus additional paid days off through the year, including federal and provincial holidays. The Commission offers a wonderful, supportive work environment, with opportunities for career development, mentorship, and professional development.

The Commission recognizes that our success requires us to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve, and diversity in its widest context, one where all people, regardless of difference, are valued and respected.

Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act . Candidates are encouraged to self-identify in their cover letter.

À propos du Bureau du Commissaire aux langues autochtones

Le Bureau du Commissaire aux langues autochtones s'engage à promouvoir et défendre les langues autochtones en soutenant les efforts des peuples autochtones à travers le Canada pour reconquérir, revitaliser, maintenir et renforcer leurs langues.

Notre équipe nationale est passionnée par notre travail et par la différence que nous faisons grâce à la recherche, aux ressources et à l'innovation que nous développons en collaboration avec des partenaires et que nous partageons avec les communautés autochtones. Nous avons mis en place des politiques pour garantir un milieu de travail accueillant, sécuritaire et respectueux, ainsi que des normes rigoureuses de transparence et de responsabilité.

Notre vision : Toutes les langues autochtones au Canada sont sécuritaires, vibrantes et florissantes.

Nos principes directeurs

Il est urgent d'efforts concertés et d'investissements pour la revitalisation des langues autochtones afin d'arrêter et d'inverser l'érosion déjà survenue. Les recherches démontrent qu'aucune langue autochtone au Canada n'est sécuritaire et que toutes sont à différents stades de danger.

Les langues autochtones sont fondamentales pour les identités, les cultures, la spiritualité, les relations avec la terre, les visions du monde et l'autodétermination des peu