Director of Communications
About the role
About Us
The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.
Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.
About the Role
We're looking for a Director, Communications to join our team. Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility, the Director will lead the organization's communications, brand, stakeholder management, and social responsibility strategies to support OCS's mandate, corporate priorities, and public accountability.
This role will be accountable for protecting and enhancing OCS's reputation, public trust, and stakeholder confidence through enterprise-wide communications and brand leadership. As a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will provide strategic guidance on reputational matters, stakeholder issues, and communications-related crises.
The Director will also provide oversight of the Social Responsibility function, ensuring programs, partnerships, and messaging align with public health objectives, regulatory expectations, and OCS values. Through leadership of integrated communications and brand alignment, this role will contribute to enterprise planning and help strengthen OCS's long-term position within the public and legal cannabis sectors.
About Your Day
Lead OCS's communications, brand, reputation, and social responsibility strategies, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Strategic Plan, mandate, values, and public sector responsibilities. Serve as the senior communications advisor to the Vice President and Executive Team, providing counsel on strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and reputational risk. Lead crisis communications, media relations, and public affairs activities, acting as the primary spokesperson and ensuring executive readiness, effective messaging, and trusted public representation. Oversee internal and external communications, enterprise storytelling, brand governance, social media, sponsorships, and thought leadership to maintain a consistent and credible organizational voice. Provide strategic leadership for the Social Responsibility function, ensuring the development and delivery of evidence-based programs, partnerships, and initiatives that promote responsible use, public trust, and regulatory alignment. Drive the integration of communications, brand, and social responsibility priorities across the organization to ensure consistent messaging and support business and stakeholder objectives. Lead high-profile events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements with government, industry, and public sector partners. Build and lead a high-performing team by coaching, developing, and empowering leaders and employees while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, and transparency.
About You
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Business, or a related field Ongoing professional development; Master's degree in a related field preferred 7+ years of experience in a Communications leadership role (Manager level or above); public sector experience (5+ years) preferred Strong strategic communications expertise, including experience serving as an organizational spokesperson Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and executive advisory skills Solid understanding of data analysis, budgeting, and business operations Superior analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and leadership capabilities Experience advising executive teams in regulated or publicly accountable environments preferred Government or broader public sector experience preferred Advertising agency experience considered an asset About the Job Location: Toronto, ON near York Mills and Yonge Street Hours of Work: 36.25 a week Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA Compensation The target hiring range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000. This is a pay grade 10A role, with a salary range of $126,739.26 - $190,213.97. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.
We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation, please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.
Not the right fit? Search for Communications jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About OCS Ontario Cannabis Store
The Ontario Cannabis Store is a Crown agency solely owned by the Province of Ontario and reporting to the Ministry of Finance.
The OCS provides safe, responsible access to legal recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We are Ontario’s sole wholesaler to more than 1,500 Authorized Cannabis Stores. The OCS also operates OCS.ca, the Province’s online cannabis retailer which delivers to consumers in every corner of Ontario.
We make sure our customers only receive legal, clearly labelled cannabis products by working closely with a diverse group of Licensed Producers authorized by Health Canada. Our online store prioritizes education and provides many opportunities for both new and experienced consumers to learn more about cannabis and responsible use.
Our customer-care centre is staffed by knowledgeable, helpful product specialists who provide the information our customers need to make the right choices. Social responsibility is something we take seriously and making every purchase a responsible one is a top priority.
We are looking for passionate, proven performers to join our diverse team and help us continue to grow our business as we define best-in-class standards for a new industry.
Similar Jobs
Director of Communications
About the role
About Us
The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.
Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.
About the Role
We're looking for a Director, Communications to join our team. Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility, the Director will lead the organization's communications, brand, stakeholder management, and social responsibility strategies to support OCS's mandate, corporate priorities, and public accountability.
This role will be accountable for protecting and enhancing OCS's reputation, public trust, and stakeholder confidence through enterprise-wide communications and brand leadership. As a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will provide strategic guidance on reputational matters, stakeholder issues, and communications-related crises.
The Director will also provide oversight of the Social Responsibility function, ensuring programs, partnerships, and messaging align with public health objectives, regulatory expectations, and OCS values. Through leadership of integrated communications and brand alignment, this role will contribute to enterprise planning and help strengthen OCS's long-term position within the public and legal cannabis sectors.
About Your Day
Lead OCS's communications, brand, reputation, and social responsibility strategies, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Strategic Plan, mandate, values, and public sector responsibilities. Serve as the senior communications advisor to the Vice President and Executive Team, providing counsel on strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and reputational risk. Lead crisis communications, media relations, and public affairs activities, acting as the primary spokesperson and ensuring executive readiness, effective messaging, and trusted public representation. Oversee internal and external communications, enterprise storytelling, brand governance, social media, sponsorships, and thought leadership to maintain a consistent and credible organizational voice. Provide strategic leadership for the Social Responsibility function, ensuring the development and delivery of evidence-based programs, partnerships, and initiatives that promote responsible use, public trust, and regulatory alignment. Drive the integration of communications, brand, and social responsibility priorities across the organization to ensure consistent messaging and support business and stakeholder objectives. Lead high-profile events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements with government, industry, and public sector partners. Build and lead a high-performing team by coaching, developing, and empowering leaders and employees while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, and transparency.
About You
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Business, or a related field Ongoing professional development; Master's degree in a related field preferred 7+ years of experience in a Communications leadership role (Manager level or above); public sector experience (5+ years) preferred Strong strategic communications expertise, including experience serving as an organizational spokesperson Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and executive advisory skills Solid understanding of data analysis, budgeting, and business operations Superior analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and leadership capabilities Experience advising executive teams in regulated or publicly accountable environments preferred Government or broader public sector experience preferred Advertising agency experience considered an asset About the Job Location: Toronto, ON near York Mills and Yonge Street Hours of Work: 36.25 a week Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA Compensation The target hiring range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000. This is a pay grade 10A role, with a salary range of $126,739.26 - $190,213.97. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.
We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation, please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.
Not the right fit? Search for Communications jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About OCS Ontario Cannabis Store
The Ontario Cannabis Store is a Crown agency solely owned by the Province of Ontario and reporting to the Ministry of Finance.
The OCS provides safe, responsible access to legal recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We are Ontario’s sole wholesaler to more than 1,500 Authorized Cannabis Stores. The OCS also operates OCS.ca, the Province’s online cannabis retailer which delivers to consumers in every corner of Ontario.
We make sure our customers only receive legal, clearly labelled cannabis products by working closely with a diverse group of Licensed Producers authorized by Health Canada. Our online store prioritizes education and provides many opportunities for both new and experienced consumers to learn more about cannabis and responsible use.
Our customer-care centre is staffed by knowledgeable, helpful product specialists who provide the information our customers need to make the right choices. Social responsibility is something we take seriously and making every purchase a responsible one is a top priority.
We are looking for passionate, proven performers to join our diverse team and help us continue to grow our business as we define best-in-class standards for a new industry.