Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is seeking a Manager, Public Affairs with exceptional public and media relations expertise to join our evolving Communications team. We are looking for a strategic leader skilled at managing complex, high-profile environments, mitigating corporate reputational risk, and building public trust through transparent and accountable communications. In this role, you will lead media relations and public and stakeholder engagement activities and provide critical communications support for Department of National Defence (DND) infrastructure initiatives, including those related to real property and real estate transactions. You will collaborate with other DCC teams, and serve as a trusted senior advisor to leadership, proactively managing issues and driving strategic initiatives to enhance DCC’s public profile.
What you bring
You have a proven background in public affairs, with the diplomacy, knowledge, and experience to excel in complex, high-profile environments. You have:
• An established network of media contacts
• Experience developing content, drafting media responses and response lines, and serving as a primary media relations advisor to executives and senior management.
• Skill in preparing spokespersons for media engagements, public appearances, and consultations, in both official languages
• The ability to align messaging with corporate and government priorities, collaborating with internal teams and external partners
• Expertise in developing and reviewing public relations materials and managing public consultations
• A track record of managing reputational risk and ensuring transparency and accountability in all messaging
• Experience planning, developing and implementing public relations campaigns with successful, measurable outcomes and impact
Your opportunity and responsibilities
Reporting to the Director, Communications, you will:
• Lead public affairs initiatives that ensure transparency and accountability in all external messaging
• Develop and review media content, including response lines, news releases, information materials, and briefing notes
• Field media inquiries and serve as the primary media relations advisor for senior executives
• Prepare spokespersons for media engagements and public events, including preparing speaking and briefing notes
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align messaging with key priorities
• Provide strategic advice on policy communications, stakeholder engagement, and public reporting
• Manage public consultation and stakeholder engagement activities, acting as a mediator as needed
• Support DND communications initiatives, particularly in real estate and housing infrastructure
• Build and maintain effective relationships with members of the national and local media, industry, client-partners, and other stakeholders
• Ensure communications meet quality standards and client expectations
• Proactively manage issues and reputational risk as a senior advisor to leadership
• Lead the development of strategies and execution of campaigns to elevate DCC’s public profile
Your skills, experience, and fit
Minimum: University degree in communications, public relations, political science, journalism, marketing, or a related field, with at least ten years' relevant experience—or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred: Above qualifications plus accreditation or membership in professional associations such as the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Public Affairs Association of Canada, or the International Association of Business Communicators.
• Demonstrated experience in public and stakeholder relations and issues management, especially within the infrastructure and environment, real property, and public consultation sectors.
• A strong network of media contacts across all types of media (print, broadcast, digital).
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to draft effective media lines and develop strategic public relations plans.
• Comprehensive understanding of best practices, methods, and trends in public relations, communications, stakeholder relations, and issues management.
• Specialized knowledge in media production.
• Familiarity with project and risk management principles.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to resolve complex problems with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated business acumen, leadership, and human resources management skills.
• Ability to use applicable computer software and operating systems.
• Bilingualism is essential.
Meet the team
Join a collaborative communications team that works like an in-house agency, supporting a variety of business units and projects. As our group adapts to new priorities, you’ll be part of a creative, supportive environment focused on achieving results. Here, you can grow your skills, help shape DCC’s mission, and enjoy a strong culture where people know they are valued—as reflected in our 94.4% employee retention rate.
Check out your benefits
Working with us offers excellent opportunities for growth and advancement—and entitles you to one of the job market’s best benefits packages valued at between 25 and 30% of your salary.
Your package includes:
Health and Wellness
- 100% employer-paid annual sick leave, and health and dental premiums
- $400 wellness allowance to help cover expenses such as a gym membership
- $2,500 for mental health services on top of regular $2,500 paramedical coverage
- Telus Virtual Health Care and $750 Health Care Spending Account for some expenses not covered under provincial plans
Home and Family
- Life, accidental-death, and short-term disability insurance
- Enhanced inConfidence employee and family assistance program
- Maternity and parental leave top-up plan to 93% of regular gross earnings for up to 37 weeks
- Flexible workplace options, including $400 allowance every two years, to support working from home
Leave and Retirement
- Public-service pension
- Comprehensive vacation and other paid-leave plans, along with deluxe travel benefit plans
How to apply?
To be considered for this position, please submit a recent resume and cover letter detailing your experience in leading public relations initiatives. Please use the cover letter to tell us about a recent public relations project that you managed. What were the challenges and outcomes of that project?
To begin a career with Defence Construction Canada (DCC), you must be a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. As a condition of employment with DCC, a minimum reliability security status clearance is required and some roles may require secret security status clearance.
DCC is responsible for the Personnel Security Clearance process. Typically to be eligible for a "Reliability" clearance, you must have five years of verifiable background information and to be eligible for a "Secret" clearance, you must have 10 years of verifiable background information. The process usually involves reference inquiries, verification of qualifications, criminal records checks, and credit checks (as required) and may require fingerprints. For more information about obtaining a security clearance, please review the Standard on Security Screening.
The appropriate security clearance is a condition of employment and it is the candidate’s or employee’s responsibility to ensure, they are able to obtain and maintain their required security level clearance to begin or continue their employment with DCC. Failure to obtain or maintain, the appropriate level of security clearance means either the candidate or employee will not receive a job offer, the conditional offer will be rendered null and void or their employment will be terminated with cause. A thorough security clearance process will be applied to all candidates or employees considered for an appointment; this process includes inquiries, verifications and assessments regarding matters such as, but not limited to:
Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace!
At DCC, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a voice and can be their authentic selves in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from all, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community. We also welcome applications from those who are not Canadian citizens who are eligible to work in Canada and have at least 5 years of verifiable background information.
DCC’s goal is to provide barrier-free access to employment opportunities and workspaces for employees and candidates. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Should you require accommodation, please email careers@dcc-cdc.gc.ca.
We are committed to hiring military and Veteran spouses and encourage you to identify your connection with the MSEN when reaching out to us or applying to any of our open roles.
Have questions or want to learn more about us? We would love to hear from you!
Michelle.Scheidegger@dcc-cdc.gc.ca
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