Manager, Communications & Engagement Division at Cowichan Valley Regional District

Duncan, British Columbia, Canada -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Mar, 26

Salary

135778.0

Posted On

20 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic Communication, Public Engagement, Media Relations, Branding, Digital Platforms, Emergency Communications, Relationship Building, Storytelling, Collaboration, Change Management, Local Government Expertise, Public-Facing Communication, Sound Judgment, Political Acumen, Complex Communications, High-Pressure Environments

Industry

Government Administration

Description

General Information Located on Vancouver Island just 50 km north of Victoria and 30 km south of Nanaimo, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including the Quw'utsun, Malahat, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz'uminus, Lyackson, Pauquachin, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht Nations. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands, waters, plants, and animals of this region since beyond time immemorial. The CVRD provides a wide range of local government services to a population of 95,000. The picturesque Cowichan Valley offers a warm climate and numerous parks, recreational, cultural, and social opportunities such as majestic mountains, the rugged West Coast Trail, serene lakes, and one of the world’s tallest free-standing timber rail trestles. Help Shape How our Region Connects, Listens, and Leads The CVRD is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven Manager, Communications & Engagement Division to lead how we communicate, engage, and build trust with our communities. Reporting to the General Manager, Corporate Services Department and Deputy CAO, this role provides corporate oversight for communications, public engagement, media relations, branding, digital platforms, and emergency communications. As a trusted advisor to the Board, CAO, senior leadership, and staff, you’ll play a key role in protecting the CVRD’s reputation, supporting reconciliation, guiding change initiatives, and ensuring the organization listens and responds thoughtfully to the people we serve. This is an entrepreneurial and service-oriented leadership opportunity for a communications professional who thrives in a complex local government environment and is passionate about storytelling, collaboration, and meaningful public engagement. Qualifications As our ideal candidate, you’re a strategic, politically astute communications leader with strong local government expertise, exceptional public-facing communication and relationship skills, sound judgment, and the ability to lead complex communications, engagement, and change initiatives in dynamic and high-pressure environments. You have a degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate communications and public engagement (preferably in a government environment), plus a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License. You are willing and able to travel throughout the region and to respond after-hours as required. An IAP2 Certificate, Emergency Operations Centre training, Local Government Administration certification, and/or PMP designation are considered assets, and we may consider candidates with a equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Please see the job description for the full job details and qualifications. Hours of Work 35-hour full-time work week with the opportunity to participate in the CVRD’s Flex Time Program. Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the CVRD has a Work From Home program. This program allows staff to work remotely, with the number of remote days per week determined by operational requirements, from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a CVRD worksite. This position works from the CVRD's main office in Duncan, BC, and at this time, is eligible to be part of the Work From Home program, potentially working a hybrid in-office / remote schedule after a successful in-office training period. Salary Salary range of $116,100.59 to $135,778.43 (2025 rates) per year, commensurate with education, training and experience. Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, and insurance benefits, municipal pension, and paid vacation. Application Instructions If you’re ready to take on this challenging and rewarding career, please submit your cover letter and resume in confidence by the date indicated. Note We thank all applicants for their interest. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you require an accommodation to participate in any stage of the hiring process please contact Human Resources at hr@cvrd.bc.ca to communicate your accommodation needs. Please include the position title and competition number.

Responsibilities

The Manager, Communications & Engagement Division will lead the CVRD's communication and engagement strategies, ensuring effective public engagement and media relations. This role also involves providing corporate oversight for branding and emergency communications.