[Hiring] Communications Lead @Swimming Canada

Role Description

The Communications Lead is responsible for developing and executing Swimming Canada’s communications strategy, telling the story of our athletes and high-performance program, strengthening the organization’s reputation, increasing external engagement, and supporting organizational priorities. The role provides leadership across media relations, corporate communications, digital and content strategy, crisis management, and communications operations.

The Lead directly supervises the Manager, Communications, the Manager, Translation, and oversees a roster of external communications professionals, including photographers, content creators, writers, and other specialized contractors and consultants. The Lead will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, ensuring communications activities are proactive, integrated, responsive, and aligned with organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in corporate and crisis communications, content management, and media operations.
• Experience within the national sport sector is considered a strong asset.
• Post-secondary education in communications, public relations or a related field is preferred.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects, and work comfortably in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong people management and leadership skills, with experience managing employees and contractors.
• Ability to lead, collaborate with, motivate and influence various groups, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
• Strong creative thinker and problem solver, with a values and results-oriented mindset.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills in English are required, with fluency in French being a very strong asset.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Currently legally eligible to work in Canada.
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally on a regular basis is required.
• A valid driver’s license with eligibility to drive a rental vehicle domestically and internationally would be an asset.

Requirements

• Advocate a values-driven, positive culture by championing constructive change.
• Lead the development and implementation of the annual communications strategy.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Lead communications planning for major initiatives, programs, announcements, events, and organizational change.
• Establish communications objectives, key performance indicators, and measurement frameworks.
• Ensure communications activities align with organizational values, brand standards, and strategic priorities.
• Establish team goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented communications culture.
• Lead, coach, and mentor the Communications team.
• Lead the development and management of communications budgets, work plans, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with senior leadership team on their communications needs.
• Establish and maintain communications processes, practices, standards, and workflows.
• Ensure management of editorial calendars, requests for content, and content approval processes.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, accessibility standards, language requirements, and communications best practices.
• Oversee translation services to ensure all communications products meet organizational language standards.
• Leverage communications technologies, analytics tools, and content management systems.
• Monitor emerging communications trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Advise on communications strategies that support Swimming Canada’s mandate.
• Write executive and leadership communications, including speeches, presentations, messages, and briefing materials.
• Lead communications planning and response during issues, incidents, and crises.
• Develop crisis communications frameworks, protocols, and response plans.
• Advise leadership on messaging, user communications, and reputation management during sensitive situations.
• Coordinate rapid response communications and media inquiries.
• Serve as the organization's lead media contact and spokesperson.
• Lead the development of media strategies, key messages, media advisories, press/news releases, briefing materials, and speaking points.
• Coordinate interview requests, media events, and press conferences.
• Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities to enhance organizational visibility.
• Lead the development and delivery of media training for senior and development athletes, coaches, staff, and other groups.
• Oversee and manage the sourcing and management of external writers, photographers, videographers, and other content providers.
• Act as lead writer and editor-in-chief for all Swimming Canada content.
• Ensure timely and accurate organizational content is shared on all channels.
• Lead the management and operationalization of website content best practices.
• Lead the development and execution of external communications plans that enhance organizational reputation.
• Oversee the development of compelling, audience-focused content across various channels.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team on campaigns to ensure consistent messaging.
• Guide storytelling initiatives that showcase organizational impact and success stories.
• Ensure content is accessible, inclusive, and consistent with brand standards.

Benefits

• The annual base salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience, within a range of $80,000-100,000.
• The position comes with a health and dental benefits package.
• Group RRSP matching plan.
• Annual wellness and home office benefits.
• Annual salary increases, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Application

Candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume by 8am ET on Monday, November 9, 2026. The cover letter and resume should clearly demonstrate evidence of alignment to the key responsibilities, experience, and qualifications listed.

Swimming Canada is committed to providing accommodations. If you require an accommodation for a disability as part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected] .

Any questions regarding the position can be directed to [email protected] .

Link: https://swimmingcanada.bamboohr.com/careers

Interviews

Interviews will take place virtually or in-person during the week of November 16 and November 23, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates invited to an interview will be contacted.

Recruitment Process

Swimming Canada conducts all recruitment and selection internally and does not engage external recruitment agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters as part of its hiring process. All communications regarding employment opportunities and hiring decisions will come directly from authorized Swimming Canada employees.

Swimming Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, or disability. We encourage individuals who can contribute to the diversity of perspectives, experiences, and identities within our organization to apply.

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all stages of the recruitment and selection process.