Director of Communications

Your Mission

CADSI is seeking an experienced, strategic communications leader to head its communications function at a defining moment for Canada’s defence and security industry. With defence now a top national priority and spending rising sharply, the sector is experiencing historic growth – and with it, unprecedented demand for a clear, credible and well-coordinated industry voice.
Reporting to the Vice President, Government Relations and Communications, the Director of Communications owns the medium- to long-term direction of CADSI’s communications. The Director develops and drives an integrated strategy across earned, owned, paid, and social media; leads and develops a small, high-performing team; manages budgets, projects and external partners; and ensures communications are tightly coordinated with CADSI’s other lines of effort – particularly its marketing efforts.

This role is paired with a revised Manager of Communications position. The Director sets strategy and direction and keeps the function aligned, prioritized and resourced for the medium and long term, while the Manager concentrates on day-to-day media relations and content execution. Together, the two roles increase CADSI’s capacity to respond to growing interest in, and influence of, the sector. The Marketing and Communications Strategist focuses on social media and digital engagement to advance advocacy goals and inform members.

As new entrants – companies, adjacent sectors, trade associations, provincial and municipal governments – move into a sector whose unique characteristics are unfamiliar to them, and as competition for voice, influence and authority with members and government intensifies, CADSI must have a stronger, more widely recognized and authoritative, constructive, and trusted voice of Canada’s defence, technology, and security industries. The Director ensures CADSI rises to a rising volume of public relations demand by prioritizing rigorously, working efficiently across teams, and measuring what matters.

Core Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Planning

• Develop, own and regularly refresh an integrated communications strategy spanning earned, owned, paid and social media, aligned to CADSI’s advocacy and organizational priorities.
• Translate the association’s policy and business objectives into clear communications plans, campaigns and measurable targets.
• Prioritize a rising volume of public relations demand against available capacity, focusing effort where it most advances CADSI’s goals.
• Position CADSI as the authoritative voice of Canada’s defence and security industries amid increasing competition for influence and a growing audience of newcomers to the sector.
• Monitor and analyze the government and defence and security industry landscape for communications risks, opportunities and emerging trends, and adapt the strategy accordingly.
• Serve as CADSI spokesperson when required.

Strategic Coordination and Integration

• Coordinate communications and marketing with CADSI’s other lines of effort – advocacy and government relations, events, business development, international, and Women in Defence and Security (WiDS).
• Collaborate and coordinate closely with CADSI’s marketing team.
• Partner with cross-functional CADSI teams to ensure consistent messaging and professional, consistent member value delivery.
  

People Management

• Lead, manage and develop the communications team, including direct supervision of the Manager of Communications and the Digital Engagement & Content Specialist.
• Set objectives, priorities and accountabilities; conduct performance reviews; and mentor and grow staff toward a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
  

Project, Resource and Budget Management

• Plan and oversee the delivery of communications projects on time and on budget, in coordination with other CADSI teams.
• Develop and manage the annual communications budget and monthly financial forecasting and provide regular progress reports to management.
• Manage external agency partners, vendors and service providers, ensuring quality and value.
• Establish and maintain outcome-based measurement metrics and benchmarks, using monitoring and evaluation to determine effectiveness and impact of communications efforts.
  

General

• Support CADSI Operating Committees, as required.
• Engage with Public Office Holders pursuant to the Lobbying Act, as required.
• Other duties as assigned, including occasional travel.

Qualifications and Experience
CADSI is looking for a motivated, flexible self-starter who will be able to communicate CADSI’s mission and interests and connect with target audiences. Specifically, the ideal candidate will possess:

• A minimum of 10 years’ progressive experience in communications and/or public affairs, including demonstrated people-management and team-leadership experience.
• A proven track record developing and executing integrated communications strategies across earned, owned, paid and social media.
• A strong project-management record: planning and delivering multiple concurrent projects on time and on budget.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, agencies, vendors and external partners.
• The ability to coordinate across functions, set priorities and resolve competing demands in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills and sound judgment.
• A post-secondary degree in a related discipline (e.g. communications, journalism, public relations, political science, public policy, international relations); a graduate degree is an asset.
• Bilingualism (English/French) preferred.

You can set yourself apart from other candidates if you have:

• Knowledge of the Canadian defence and security industries.
• Knowledge of federal procurement, export controls and related policies, legislation and regulations.
• Experience in a trade association, advocacy or membership-driven organization.
• Agency, political or government experience.
• Experience establishing communications measurement frameworks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM tools for stakeholder tracking.

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive compensation package – including a competitive salary ($95,000 - $115,000), a 12% discretionary annual bonus, vacation, health and wellness benefits and credits, an RRSP matching program, and professional development opportunities – which will be discussed during the initial interview. CADSI offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement with a mix of in-office and remote work, ergonomic workstations, and a supportive team culture that values teamwork and professional growth.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CADSI is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please submit one writing sample (e.g. research report, article, newsletters), along with your resume and a cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses the following points:

1. Why you want to work for CADSI.
2. How your background and skills ideally suit you to fulfil this position.
3. Ways in which your work experience demonstrate your results-oriented professional approach.
4. Compensation expectations.

Submissions should be sent by email to applications@defenceandsecurity.ca by no later than midnight EST on Sunday, July 12th, 2026. Only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest,

CADSI Executive Team

About CADSI
CADSI is the voice of Canada’s defence and security industries, representing more than 1,700 companies nationwide. These industries employ over 81,000 Canadians and generate $17.3 billion in annual revenues, with half coming from exports. Learn more at www.defenceandsecurity.ca or follow us on LinkedIn.​

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