📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
🔹 Company: Mitacs
🔹 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Research Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-08
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing all external communications for Mitacs
- Overseeing a team of 3-4 direct reports
- Contributing to the continuous improvement of team processes and operations
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to maximize communications
- Executing communications strategy for media, events, and social media
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage all external communications for Mitacs, including overseeing implementation of communications strategy for media, news releases, events, stakeholder engagement, and social media.
✅ Oversee and manage a team of 3-4 direct reports, including Senior Communications and Public Affairs Specialist, Communications and Events Specialist, and Social Media Specialist.
✅ Manage team members’ performance, delegate appropriately, and support them in their professional development and growth.
✅ Contribute to the continuous improvement of team processes, operations, and best practices.
✅ Collaborate with MET team, marketing, partnerships, and business development teams to maximize communications to internal and external audiences.
✅ Oversee or write/produce communications materials, including news releases, change management communications, speaking notes, articles, case studies, videos, reports, government relations documents, and other collateral as needed.
✅ Monitor, measure, and report on communications activities.
✅ Ensure communications activities are directly aligned with core objectives of the organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under tight deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: A degree or diploma in communications, journalism, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of experience in communications with an external focus and at least 5 years managing communications programs and teams
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing, editing, and oral communications abilities
- Highly collaborative, with both internal and external stakeholders, with an ability to work cross-functionally within the organization
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deliverables under tight deadlines
- Self-starter who works well in a team environment
- Ability to anticipate challenges and understand implications of decisions
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with national and international communications and media relations
- Experience creating and executing on corporate communications strategy including social media, events, and support for crisis communications, awareness, and reputation-building
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in communications management and team leadership, with a strong focus on external communications.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $86,480 - $102,695 per year
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunities for professional development
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: Salary range is based on Mitacs' hiring range transparency and is typical for a manager-level position in the research services industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mitacs operates in the research services industry, focusing on connecting industry and academia to drive innovation and growth.
Company Size: Mitacs has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Mitacs was founded in 1999 and has since grown to become a leading research organization in Canada.
Company Description:
- Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization that helps industry and non-profit partners solve strategic challenges by leveraging Canada’s world-class post-secondary talent and a global network of industry, academic, and government partnerships.
- Mitacs helps business and community partners succeed, improves students’ on-the-job skills development, and strengthens Canada’s world-class innovation ecosystem.
- Mitacs strives to develop the next generation of innovators with vital research and business skills.
Company Specialties:
- Research
- Innovation
- Research and Development
- Commercialization
- Grants
- Funding
- Internships
- Work-integrated learning
- Startups
- SMEs
- Canada
- Canadian business
- talent acquisition
- SR&ED
- Small business growth
- international cooperation
- startup support
- quantum
- social sciences and humanities
- Indigenous Pathways
- new technology
- Quantum
- AI
- Cleantech
- Small Business support
- Entrepreneurship
- careerdevelopment
- and paid research
Company Website: http://www.mitacs.ca
ASSUMPTION: Mitacs is a well-established organization with a strong focus on research, innovation, and collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Managerial
Reporting Structure: The Manager, Communications and Public Affairs reports directly to the Acting Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs.
Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior role within the communications department or the organization
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
- Chance to develop and mentor team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for the right candidate, with potential to make a significant impact on Mitacs' communications strategy and operations.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mitacs has multiple office locations across Canada, with the headquarters in Vancouver, BC.
Office Location(s): Vancouver, BC (Headquarters), Toronto, ON, Montreal, QC, Ottawa, ON
Geographic Context:
- Vancouver is a coastal city in western Canada, known for its mild climate, natural beauty, and vibrant cultural scene.
- Mitacs' headquarters is located in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Point Grey campus, offering a convenient location for employees.
- The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in work location.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible hours and remote work options available.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and multiple office locations provide flexibility for employees, allowing them to balance work and personal responsibilities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of Mitacs' mission, vision, and values
- Experience with communications strategy and planning
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your communications work, including successful campaigns, media coverage, and stakeholder engagement initiatives
- Research Mitacs' mission, vision, and values to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
ATS Keywords: communications management, team leadership, media relations, social media strategy, stakeholder engagement, writing, editing, interpersonal skills, project management, crisis communications, collaboration, performance management, continuous improvement, event management, evaluation, public affairs
ASSUMPTION: Mitacs uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are common in communications and project management, with a focus on digital platforms and software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Diversity and Inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and flexible
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
- Adaptable and able to work well under tight deadlines
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Mitacs' core values?
- How do you handle working in a fast-paced, flexible environment with tight deadlines?
- Can you provide an example of a successful communications campaign you've led, and how you handled challenges and setbacks?
ASSUMPTION: Mitacs values a strong cultural fit, with an emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with these values and work style preferences.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including industry partners, academia, and government
- Adapting to a fast-paced and flexible work environment
- Balancing remote and on-site work effectively
- Managing a team with varying levels of experience and expertise
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management skills, adaptability, and the ability to work well under pressure.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other communications manager roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in a research-focused organization, collaborating with industry, academia, and government partners.
- Mitacs' focus on innovation and research sets it apart from other communications roles in the nonprofit sector.
- Career progression in this role may lead to more senior communications or leadership positions within the organization or the broader research and innovation ecosystem.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a distinct blend of communications management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, with a focus on research and innovation.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for a major research initiative, including media outreach, stakeholder engagement, and event planning
- Managing a team to create and distribute a quarterly research newsletter, featuring articles, case studies, and success stories from Mitacs' partners and researchers
- Leading a crisis communications effort in response to a significant research funding change, ensuring accurate and timely information is disseminated to stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, with a focus on strategic planning, team management, and communications execution.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most significant challenges facing Mitacs' communications department in the next 12-24 months?
- How does this role fit into Mitacs' long-term communications strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the communications department and the organization as a whole?
- How does Mitacs support work-life balance for its employees, particularly for those in hybrid or remote roles?
- What is the team culture like, and how does the communications department collaborate with other departments within Mitacs?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the organization, and its culture, while also providing valuable insights into the position and Mitacs as an employer.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your communications work, including successful campaigns, media coverage, and stakeholder engagement initiatives
- Research Mitacs' mission, vision, and values to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.