Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
About the role
Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
CED Admin. (2524) - Victoria, British Columbia
Position Title: Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
Competition Number: P14-25
Date of Issue: September 17/2025
Closing Date: October 1/2025
Current Salary Range: $164,262 - $181,109 (2024 rates), plus benefits
To Apply: All submissions shall be sent electronically by 4:30pm on the above closing date and should include all qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
Position Function:
Reporting directly to the Chief Constable and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement is responsible for advancing the Victoria Police Department’s (VicPD) public presence, reputation, and relationship with the communities of Victoria and Esquimalt. This role provides visionary leadership in shaping and communicating the VicPD “brand,” strengthening trust with the public, and ushering in a new era of transparency, accountability, and innovation in policing.
The Director oversees all external-facing communications and engagement initiatives, including media relations, community partnerships, strategic campaigns, digital platforms, volunteer and community programs, and public events. As the Department’s senior communications strategist, the Director is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with media, government, community stakeholders, and the public to enhance confidence in policing services.
Beyond communications, the Director plays a pivotal role in supporting organizational change and cultural transformation, ensuring that VicPD’s evolution is clearly articulated, well understood, and embraced by both internal and external audiences.
Major Areas of Responsibility:
Lead the development and implementation of innovative communications and engagement strategies that position VicPD as a trusted, modern, and community-centred police service.
Serve as the Department’s primary advisor to the Chief Constable and Executive Team on all matters related to communications, branding, engagement, and organizational change.
Provide strategic oversight of media relations, crisis communications, government relations, digital and social media campaigns, community surveys, public education initiatives, and departmental events.
Oversee and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of communications and engagement professionals.
Act as a senior spokesperson for VicPD, building strong and productive relationships with media outlets and community partners.
Collaborate with the Police Board, executive leadership, and community partners to develop and communicate the Department’s strategic plan and lead the design and delivery of public-facing initiatives that bring that plan to life.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee a wide range of events, including high-profile ceremonial and protocol functions (e.g., police memorials, recognition ceremonies, parades), as well as public engagement activities (e.g., community forums, education campaigns, and strategic plan rollouts).
Champion change management and cultural transformation initiatives, ensuring that VicPD’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, professionalism, and innovation is embedded in its public presence and internal culture.
Drive forward-thinking engagement initiatives that reflect the unique character of Victoria and the surrounding region, with a focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation.
Ensure the Department’s values: transparency, professionalism, accountability, and community service, are consistently reflected in all public communications.
Monitor emerging trends in media, public engagement, and policing to inform proactive strategies.
Contribute to executive-level discussions, policy development, and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Education and Experience:
A university degree in a relevant discipline.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in communications, media relations, and/or community engagement.
Management experience leading teams of people.
Demonstrated experience working within or in close collaboration with policing, public safety, or other complex government or regulatory environments.
Qualifications, Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Proven success in developing and implementing large-scale communications strategies, change management initiatives, and community engagement programs.
Significant experience planning, coordinating, and executing both ceremonial/protocol events and strategic public engagement initiatives.
In-depth knowledge of local and regional media environments, particularly within Vancouver Island, Victoria and Esquimalt.
Strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of police–community relations.
Proven ability to build trust and foster positive relationships between police services and diverse communities.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, strategic counsel in sensitive and high-profile matters.
Strong judgement, integrity, and ability to perform effectively under pressure.
Other:
A criminal record check, polygraph examination and security clearance are conditions of employment.
Education : Bachelor’s degree
Experience : 5 years or more
Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
About the role
Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
CED Admin. (2524) - Victoria, British Columbia
Position Title: Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
Competition Number: P14-25
Date of Issue: September 17/2025
Closing Date: October 1/2025
Current Salary Range: $164,262 - $181,109 (2024 rates), plus benefits
To Apply: All submissions shall be sent electronically by 4:30pm on the above closing date and should include all qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
Position Function:
Reporting directly to the Chief Constable and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement is responsible for advancing the Victoria Police Department’s (VicPD) public presence, reputation, and relationship with the communities of Victoria and Esquimalt. This role provides visionary leadership in shaping and communicating the VicPD “brand,” strengthening trust with the public, and ushering in a new era of transparency, accountability, and innovation in policing.
The Director oversees all external-facing communications and engagement initiatives, including media relations, community partnerships, strategic campaigns, digital platforms, volunteer and community programs, and public events. As the Department’s senior communications strategist, the Director is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with media, government, community stakeholders, and the public to enhance confidence in policing services.
Beyond communications, the Director plays a pivotal role in supporting organizational change and cultural transformation, ensuring that VicPD’s evolution is clearly articulated, well understood, and embraced by both internal and external audiences.
Major Areas of Responsibility:
Lead the development and implementation of innovative communications and engagement strategies that position VicPD as a trusted, modern, and community-centred police service.
Serve as the Department’s primary advisor to the Chief Constable and Executive Team on all matters related to communications, branding, engagement, and organizational change.
Provide strategic oversight of media relations, crisis communications, government relations, digital and social media campaigns, community surveys, public education initiatives, and departmental events.
Oversee and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of communications and engagement professionals.
Act as a senior spokesperson for VicPD, building strong and productive relationships with media outlets and community partners.
Collaborate with the Police Board, executive leadership, and community partners to develop and communicate the Department’s strategic plan and lead the design and delivery of public-facing initiatives that bring that plan to life.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee a wide range of events, including high-profile ceremonial and protocol functions (e.g., police memorials, recognition ceremonies, parades), as well as public engagement activities (e.g., community forums, education campaigns, and strategic plan rollouts).
Champion change management and cultural transformation initiatives, ensuring that VicPD’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, professionalism, and innovation is embedded in its public presence and internal culture.
Drive forward-thinking engagement initiatives that reflect the unique character of Victoria and the surrounding region, with a focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation.
Ensure the Department’s values: transparency, professionalism, accountability, and community service, are consistently reflected in all public communications.
Monitor emerging trends in media, public engagement, and policing to inform proactive strategies.
Contribute to executive-level discussions, policy development, and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Education and Experience:
A university degree in a relevant discipline.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in communications, media relations, and/or community engagement.
Management experience leading teams of people.
Demonstrated experience working within or in close collaboration with policing, public safety, or other complex government or regulatory environments.
Qualifications, Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Proven success in developing and implementing large-scale communications strategies, change management initiatives, and community engagement programs.
Significant experience planning, coordinating, and executing both ceremonial/protocol events and strategic public engagement initiatives.
In-depth knowledge of local and regional media environments, particularly within Vancouver Island, Victoria and Esquimalt.
Strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of police–community relations.
Proven ability to build trust and foster positive relationships between police services and diverse communities.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, strategic counsel in sensitive and high-profile matters.
Strong judgement, integrity, and ability to perform effectively under pressure.
Other:
A criminal record check, polygraph examination and security clearance are conditions of employment.
Education : Bachelor’s degree
Experience : 5 years or more