Senior Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications

Location:

Toronto, ON

Position Scope:

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished marketing and communications leader to shape and continue to modernize a national function with broad business impacts that connects with employees, clients, customers, media and external audiences. Reporting to the SVP, Business Excellence & Innovation and working across the organization, the Senior Director will set the corporate marketing and communications strategy, strengthen the company brand, advance employees understanding and engagement, and support business priorities through integrated, measurable programs.

The role requires a strategic, adaptable and hands-on leader who can navigate complex organizational dynamics, align stakeholders with differing priorities and drive work toward common goals. The Senior Director will have meaningful authority to modernize the function, strengthen channels and processes, apply data and emerging technologies, and increase the effectiveness, efficiency and business impact of marketing and communications across Canada.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Director is accountable for integrated planning, brand governance, executive counsel, channel performance, reputation management, team leadership and measurable results. Success will require strategic thinking, decisive execution and the agility to respond quickly as priorities, stakeholder needs and external conditions change.

• Develop and execute the enterprise marketing and corporate communications strategy, defining priorities, audiences, plans, investments, governance and performance measures aligned with business objectives.
• Translate the strategy into an integrated program of work that strengthens the brand and creates a consistent experience across employee, client, customers, media and public-facing channels.
• Establish a performance measurement framework with clear KPIs for reach, engagement, reputation, channel effectiveness and business impact; regularly report insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead brand strategy and governance, ensuring the company is represented consistently and effectively while enabling business teams to meet their marketing and communications needs.
• Develop integrated content, promotion and amplification strategies across earned, owned, paid and shared media, selecting the appropriate channel mix to generate the strongest audience traction.
• Lead the company’s social media presence, using platform expertise, audience insights and contemporary practices to expand reach, strengthen engagement and elevate the organization’s profile.
• Manage relationships with trade and consumer media, proactively identify thought-leadership and profile-building opportunities, and provide confident, timely counsel on emerging issues and reputation risks.
• Oversee the corporate website and digital platforms, using analytics, search and audience behaviour to guide content decisions and continuous improvement.
• Set the direction for internal communications channels, including email, the intranet, employee newsletter and internal communications channel, so employees receive clear, relevant and engaging information with a strong understanding of what it means for them.
• Lead executive communications, major corporate publications and the company’s annual review, bringing together clear messages, results and perspectives from across the organization.
• Recommend and use technology that leverage artificial intelligence, automation and analytics to improve content quality, personalization, speed, workflow efficiency and decision-making.
• Advise senior leaders and business partners on marketing and communications opportunities, risks, messages and approaches, adapting recommendations to different audiences and circumstances.
• Manage budgets, agencies and external partners, directing resources toward the activities and channels that deliver the greatest value and measurable impact.

Team structure and support:

• Lead, coach and develop the marketing and communications team, creating clarity, accountability and opportunities for growth while empowering strong day-to-day delivery.
• Collaborate with communications and business resources across Canada, building alignment, sharing expertise and coordinating priorities within a decentralized environment.
• Select and manage external agencies, specialists and vendors, ensuring quality, value and clear accountability for results.
• Partner with communications colleagues on media relations, reputation and other initiatives where coordination across the organizations is critical.

Education and Qualifications:

• A relevant post‑secondary degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience; experience in real estate, financial services or another complex organization is considered an asset.
• 10+ years of leadership experience across corporate communications, marketing, brand and reputation, including developing enterprise strategies and leading integrated programs for internal and external audiences.
• Experience advising senior leaders, managing media relationships and navigating sensitive, high‑profile or emerging issues with sound judgment.
• A proven ability to lead people and partners, build alignment in a decentralized organization and deliver outcomes through collaboration and influence.
• Strong business and analytical acumen, including establishing KPIs and quantifying marketing and communications performance, audience engagement, channel effectiveness and business impact.
• Current knowledge of marketing and communications technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and analytics, and an understanding of how to apply them responsibly to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of earned, owned, paid and shared media, with the ability to select the right channel mix and amplification approach to maximize reach, engagement and traction.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex business information into clear and compelling communications.

Key Success Factors:

• Establish a clear, measurable marketing and corporate communications strategy aligned with enterprise priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders and partners across Canada, effectively navigating complexity and creating alignment around common goals.
• Strengthen employee understanding and engagement through relevant, accessible and effective communications.
• Increase the consistency, visibility and impact of the company brand across priority audiences and channels.
• Demonstrate marketing and communications value through clear KPIs, actionable insights and regular performance reporting.
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the function through modern technology, responsible use of AI and streamlined processes.
• Develop a capable, collaborative team and a strong network of internal and external partners that consistently deliver high-quality work.

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.