Director, Communications & Community Development Save job Remove saved job

Director, Communications & Community Development

Posting #2026-18

Existing Vacancy

Why work with us:

We believe in empowering people to live their best lives – not only the people in the communities we serve, but also our employees. Your work will have a meaningful impact in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals and families flourish. We prioritize workplace well-being, continuous growth, and a culture where every employee feels valued and inspired.

About the Opportunity:

We are seeking a strategic, people focused leader to serve as Director, Communications and Community Development. This senior leadership role places Communications at the forefront, recognizing its critical role in connecting leadership, employees, and the community, and in building clarity, alignment, and trust.

Reporting to the CAO and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, this position provides corporate leadership for communications while also overseeing key community development portfolios. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, strong leadership presence, and the ability to navigate complexity, change, and public accountability with confidence and care.

Who You Are:

• You are a senior communications leader who understands how effective communication supports Council decision-making, organizational change, labour relations, and community confidence.
• You are comfortable advising executive leadership on risk, reputation, messaging, and timing, particularly in complex or sensitive situations.
• You value people and culture and believe that strong internal communication builds trust, engagement, and alignment.
• You are politically astute, collaborative, and experienced working with elected officials, media, staff, and community partners.
• You bring a strategic mindset, balanced with a practical hands-on approach, guiding and supporting execution across multiple portfolios and disciplines.

What you will do:

As Director, Communications and Community Development, you will provide strategic oversight and executive leadership across five integrated portfolios, each supported by experienced managers and professional staff with Communications as a primary focus.  These portfolios have a significant external communications focus, and this role will seek to develop brand cohesion and maximum community impact.

Communications Leadership & Public Engagement

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice on corporate communications, internal and external messaging, issues management, and public engagement.
• Lead the development and execution of the County’s corporate communications strategy, ensuring alignment with Council direction, organizational priorities, and public accountability requirements.
• Establish performance measures and reporting frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate communications, public engagement, and media strategies; use data, insights, and feedback to drive continuous improvement and inform senior leadership decision-making.
• Serve as the senior communications advisor to the CAO and Senior Leadership Team, providing guidance on reputational risk, messaging, timing, and response to sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Guide internal communications that support organizational change, workplace initiatives, and corporate priorities, ensuring transparency, trust, and alignment during periods of transition.
• Oversee media relations and external communications, including preparing and supporting senior leaders and acting as a senior spokesperson and advisor on matters related to investment, economic development, and community interests.
• Ensure digital communications, accessibility compliance, and plain-language standards to ensure communications are inclusive, legally compliant, and enhance public trust across diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards, best practices, and new developments in the fields of corporate and municipal communications and forecast future requirements for service delivery.

 Community Development Leadership

• Provide executive leadership and integrated oversight for Economic Development, Library Services, Museum & Archives, and Land Use Planning.
• Lead and support staff, strategic partnerships, investment initiatives, intergovernmental collaboration, and marketing and promotional activities that advance County priorities and community growth
• Ensure services, facilities, and programs align with community needs, legislative requirements, and long-term County objectives
• Foster integration across portfolios to support cohesive planning, effective service delivery, and positive community outcomes

 What you will bring:  

We are looking for a seasoned leader who brings:

• A university degree in communications, public relations, public administration, planning, economic development, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate communications, public-sector leadership, or issues management.
• Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and operating within a political and governance environment.
• Strong understanding of internal communications, organizational change, and workforce-related communications.
• Experience leveraging technology to achieve business outcomes.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven leadership ability, sound judgment, initiative, and critical thinking.
• Experience managing budgets, partnerships, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Access to a personal vehicle and ability to travel as required.

This is an opportunity to play a meaningful leadership role in shaping how the County communicates, leads through change, and supports vibrant, connected communities.

If you are motivated by public service, value trust and transparency, and bring a strategic communications lens to leadership, we encourage you to apply.

Apply now and help shape the future of Lennox and Addington County.

The County of Lennox & Addington is committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, creating workplaces that welcome, value, and respect the diversity of employees and supports them to actively engage in the workplace and reach their full potential.

Accommodations are available throughout all stages of the recruitment process and we encourage applicants to access supports that may be needed. To request an accommodation, please call the County’s Human Resources Department at 613-354-4883 and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants advancing to the next stages of the recruitment process will be provided with additional opportunities to make their needs known.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of applicant selection.  We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.