Vice President of Communications & External Relations

ROLE PURPOSEThe Vice President of Communications & External Relations is a key member of Connective’s Executive Team and serves as the organization’s senior-most leader for brand, communications, external relations, and public positioning across Canada. As Connective grows its housing and service portfolio nationally, this role shapes how Connective is understood, trusted, and engaged by governments, funders, community partners, media, and the public. The VP provides strategic leadership for all external and internal communications, brand management, digital strategy, media relations, Interested & Affected Party (IAP) engagement, and public reputation. They translate organizational strategy into clear and compelling messaging, strengthen the national brand, safeguard the organization’s reputation, and guide Connective through high‑visibility issues, transformative periods of organizational growth, and complex multi‑stakeholder environments. This executive plays a critical role in positioning Connective as a national leader in community-based housing and services by balancing proactive strategy with responsive, high‑stakes brand management.REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Reports to the Chief Administrative Officer, with strategic alignment to the Chief Executive Officer  Advises the Chief Operations Officer on media, external inquiries, and communications related to service delivery Serves as a member of the Connective Executive Team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategy and decision-making Collaborates closely with senior executives, regional leadership, and program teams across provinces Liaises with government partners, funders, community organizations, sector leaders, media, and external agencies Oversees internal and contracted communications functions KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES   Brand Stewardship & Narrative Leadership Build, strengthen, and steward Connective’s national brand to reflect the organization’s mission, values, commitments, and community impact. Lead the development of a unified brand identity across all regions, platforms, and programs. Shape Connective’s public narrative through strategic storytelling, issue framing, and thought leadership. Develop executive communications for the CEO, and senior leaders, including speeches, briefings, key messages, and public presentations. Support communication strategies that advance fundraising, corporate partnerships, and public engagement.   Corporate Partnerships & Fundraising Enablement Support executive leadership in strengthening Connective’s corporate partnerships and fundraising efforts through clear positioning, messaging, and narrative alignment. Contribute to the development and refinement of Connective’s case for support, ensuring it clearly communicates impact, scale, community need, and long‑term stra Lead the communications and storytelling strategy that enables effective partnership development, sponsorships, and philanthropic engagement while protecting brand integrity and public trust. Provide strategic guidance on partnership alignment, assessing values fit, equity considerations, and reputational risk to ensure external relationships support Connective’s mission and long‑term sustainability. Support executive engagement with corporate and philanthropic partners through tailored communications materials, presentations, and briefings. Strategic Leadership & Integrated Communications Planning Develop multi-year communications and external relations strategies aligned with Connective’s long-term organizational strategy.  Lead fully integrated communications plans across digital, media, government relations, program communications, publications, and stakeholder channels. Oversee the evolution of Connective’s digital infrastructure, including website platforms, social media, user experience, analytics, and digital engagement tools. Translate organizational priorities into messaging frameworks, content strategies, and deployment plans Provide strategic advice to the Executive Team on public positioning, risk, and external impact.   Interested & Affected Party (IAP) Engagement Leadership Lead and evolve Connective’s IAP engagement framework to support community relationships, project development, housing initiatives, and regional service delivery. Ensure IAP insights meaningfully shape brand positioning, messaging, community relations, and narrative strategy. Build systems for consistent documentation, tracking, and reporting of IAP engagement to support coordinated relationship management across the organization.   External Relations, Government Relations & Partnerships Build and and sustain relationships with government stakeholders, funders, policy partners, and community organizations that influence Connective’s ability to operate and grow. Support cross-organizational participation in public policy discussions, sector collaborations, and government-led initiatives. Provide guidance on government-relations communications, briefing notes, advocacy materials, and IAP positioning. Represent Connective at high-profile events, sector gatherings, media opportunities, and public forums. Reputation Management, Media Relations & Issue Readiness Oversee proactive and reactive media relations, including issue-preparedness, crisis response, and spokesperson preparation. Establish and enforce processes for issue escalation, cross-functional coordination, and executive decision-making during emerging risks. Protect the organization’s reputation through timely, accurate, culturally safe, and strategically aligned communications. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Team during high-stakes public issues.   Governance, Operations & Portfolio Management Lead content operations and governance, including intake, prioritization, editorial calendars, workflow design, and quality assurance. Set and uphold portfolio-wide standards for accuracy, brand consistency, confidentiality, and cultural safety. Build systems, processes, and tools that enable scalable, efficient, and measurable communications operations as Connective expands nationally. Coordinate priorities across departments; resolve competing demands; elevate decisions requiring executive judgment.   Team & Agency Leadership Build mentor, and sustain a high-performing communications and external relations team with strong collaboration, responsiveness, and strategic clarity.  Define operating models for internal teams and external agencies, ensuring efficient resource use and role clarity. Foster an inclusive team culture rooted in trust, accountability, continuous improvement, and Connective’s values. Support staff development through coaching, performance management, and opportunities for growth.   Performance Measurement & Data-Driven Decision-Making Establish KPIs and performance frameworks tied to organizational goals (e.g., brand awareness, media reach, engagement, campaign performance). Provide quarterly reporting to the Executive Team and Board with insights, trends, risks, and recommendations. Identify opportunities to strengthen digital media capabilities, analytics tools, operational infrastructure, and capacity-building resources.   Inclusion & Cultural Safety Ensure communications reflect Connective’s commitment to cultural safety, inclusion, reconciliation, and trauma-informed practices. Embed inclusive language, representation, and governance in all communications standards and storytelling. Champion ethical and equitable narrative practices, ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are centered respectfully and safely. WORKING CONDITIONS Function independently while being a core member of the Executive Team. Adhere to Connective policies and procedures Hybrid role with flexibility required; occasional evenings/weekends based on organizational needs.  EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Required A relevant degree, diploma or certificate, or combination of education and experience 10+ years of progressive leadership in communications, brand, marketing, public affairs, or external relations; nonprofit or public-sector experience preferred. Demonstrated experience leading integrated communications and brand strategies for complex, multi-site, publicly accountable organizations. Experience developing or supporting compelling cases for support, partnership narratives, or impact storytelling that enable fundraising and corporate partnerships. Strong practitioner in media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management. Experience leading high-performing teams and managing external agencies. Proven ability to lead strategic plans, budgets, KPIs, governance processes, and performance frameworks. Skilled at IAP engagement, government relations, and partnership building. Strong digital communications expertise, including analytics, platforms, and user experience. Demonstrated commitment to equity, cultural safety, inclusive practices, and community-centered storytelling. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.   Preferred Experience with multi-region or national organizations. Expertise in policy communications, advocacy, or public engagement. REQUIREMENTS Ability to successfully complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Records Check Ability to successfully pass a reference check   COMPENSATIONAnnual salary will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications. This role will also be eligible for Connective's comprehensive benefits package.