SENIOR ADVISOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS (Temporary - 6 months)

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few   

• In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

• A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

• Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... 

Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book

*Please note that this role is temporary for 6 months.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

You are part of a highly collaborative and innovative team whose mission is to raise awareness of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, and everything it can do to support the organization’s business development efforts and help Canada’s SMEs.  

You’re a self-starter who will contribute to our mission by designing, leading and delivering impactful communications initiatives that resonate with BDC’s core audiences and are aligned with our corporate strategy. The position will be focused on communications planning and media relations, so a proven track record in these areas are key assets. 

Reporting to the Manager, Public Relations within the Corporate Strategy team, the Senior Advisor plays a strategic leadership role in advancing a 360° approach to communicating. This includes integrating internal, stakeholder, and government relations opportunities from an enterprise perspective while leveraging traditional and digital channels. 

CHALLENGES TO BE MET 

• As a vector of corporate strategy, you play a lead role aligning peers in the Bank across groups like marketing, government relations, social media, stakeholder and partnership management, among others, to deliver communications strategies that drive tangible outcomes for the organization. 

• Within the team, you work with the Manager to connect the dots across the organization and BDC’s external orbit to build an overarching communications narrative. 

• Direct all aspects of external communications projects by planning and delivering 360º project plans, logistics, budgets, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that define success (e.g. product or initiative launches, social media PR campaigns, stakeholder engagement efforts, etc.). 

• Lead media relations projects (proactive and reactive) and issues management on an ongoing basis by providing sound advice, strategy development, key messages, and written material. 

• Provide advice to senior executives, national/regional management regarding issues and opportunities, positioning and speaking engagements, with a proactive and multichannel approach. 

• Develop and maintain trust-based relationships with the media and journalists. 

• Oversee the work of external suppliers on an as needed basis 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

You’re a self-motivated individual that enjoys the challenge of proactive public affairs work. As a keen observer of the business ecosystem, you like to bridge creativity with efficiency and create opportunities to connect with audiences that reflect the world in which entrepreneurs live and work. Working with a great team and making meaningful contributions to their success as much as yours sounds like a great place to work.  

• Bachelor's degree in communications or public relations or equivalent education and experience 

• Experience in public relations within an agency environment, with a strong track record in media relations, is a definite asset. 
• Alternatively, experience in communications for financial institutions or Crown corporations are also strong assets 
  • • Proven track record in generating earned media coverage through proactive pitching is considered an asset 

• 7-10 years of experience in communications with experience in a wide array of communications functions (e.g. media relations, social media, issues management, speechwriting) 

• Experience working with executives and members of senior management, including presidents and CEOs 

• Proven track record of designing and executing enterprise-level communications strategies 

• Experience and exposure to government relations is considered an asset 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and in English 

• Ability to see the big picture  

• Ability to influence others with diplomacy and tact 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain key relationships with stakeholders 

• Ability to work under pressure 

• Sense of autonomy, creativity 

What We Offer: 

• High-impact and meaningful projects within one of Canada’s most relevant Crown Corporations 

• A stimulating and collaborative work environment. 

• An organizational culture focused on excellence, innovation, and respect. 

• Flexible schedule and the possibility of telecommuting. 

*Please note that temporary employees are not eligible for benefits.

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at accessibility@bdc.ca.

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.