Manager, People and Culture Communications
Definity · Waterloo · CA$88,000–CA$138,000 (stated in the posting)
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Manager, People & Culture Communications to lead a small team of communication professionals while directly designing and executing communications that drive our employee experience and support a thriving workplace culture. Reporting to the Director, Internal Communications, you will provide strategic counsel to your team, oversee the delivery of key employee-facing communications, and contribute to the development of communication strategies, content, and campaigns. You will translate complex HR policies, Total Rewards programs, and cultural initiatives into engaging, accessible, and human-centric messaging for the enterprise in alignment with our corporate narrative. The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional and people leader who can balance strategic advisory responsibilities, hands-on execution, and team leadership while ensuring our most critical people-focused programs resonate with our diverse workforce.
What to Expect
- HR Strategic Partnership: Act as the primary communications counsel for the People and Culture team, developing strategic communication plans for all major employee-facing programs, policy updates, and enterprise change management initiatives while providing leadership and oversight for communications execution across the team.
- Annual HR & Total Rewards Cycles: Lead the end-to-end communication strategy for critical annual HR programs, including performance management, benefits enrollment, and compensation cycles. Partner with team members to create engaging educational campaigns that articulate the value of our Total Rewards portfolio.
- Culture & Wellness Programming: Lead and support the development of communication campaigns that support wellness activities, IDEA initiatives, and other employee recognition programs. Support the communications for organizational design changes and HR operating model updates.
- Leader Communication & Enablement: Author, design, and package specialized communication toolkits, briefing documents, and FAQs for people leaders, ensuring they are equipped to confidently discuss sensitive HR programs with their teams.
- People Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of communications professionals, providing direction, mentorship, and performance feedback while fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Balance leadership responsibilities with direct contribution to communication planning, content development, and campaign execution to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of People & Culture communications.
What You Bring
- Experience: 5–8 years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or HR communications, including experience leading or coaching communications professionals while managing complex communication programs and stakeholder relationships.
- HR Fluency: You have a strong working knowledge of HR concepts, including compensation and benefits (merit, STIP), performance management, and organizational development.
- The Empathetic Translator: You have an exceptional ability to translate complex, technical HR jargon into warm, clear, and human-centric messaging. You have a demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information with the utmost professionalism and risk awareness.
- Campaign & Project Management: You have strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple, overlapping annual cycles and long-term HR campaigns simultaneously.
- Accessibility Advocate: You have a strong understanding of accessibility guidelines (such as AODA or equivalent) and are passionate about ensuring all communications are inclusive.
Salary Range: $88,000-$138,000
High degree of proficiency with English required to service customers, both internal to the company and external, across Canada.
Actual salary for the role may vary depending on work location of the successful candidate and other factors including but not limited to, skills, education, experience, working conditions and the local labour market.
This position is being posted to fill an existing vacancy.
Interested in this role, but don’t meet every requirement? We encourage you to apply! We know from experience that a candidate doesn’t need 100% of the qualifications listed to bring incredible value to our team. We’re actively seeking diverse backgrounds and perspectives to help us make insurance better. At Definity, inclusion, diversity, and equity aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re essential to our success.
What’s in it for you?
- Hybrid work schedule for most roles
- Company share ownership program
- Incentive Program - Eligible employees may participate in various incentive plans which are paid out at the discretion of the company and subject to individual and company performance.
- Pension and savings programs, with company-matched RRSP contributions
- Paid volunteer days and company matching on charitable donations
- Educational resources, tuition assistance, and paid time off to study for exams
- Focus on inclusion with employee groups, support for gender affirmation surgery, access to BIPOC counsellors, access to programs for working parents
- Wellness and recognition programs
- Discounts on products and services
Go ahead and expect a lot — you deserve it.
It’s better here — but don’t take our word for it. Definity was named by Great Place to Work® as one of the Best Workplaces™ in Canada for women, for youth, and for inclusion.
Our inclusive work environment welcomes diversity and supports accessibility. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting accessibility@economical.com.
As part of Definity’s commitment to reconciliation, we acknowledge that our work, meetings, and travel take place on the lands now known as Canada, and recognize the enduring presence, wisdom, and stewardship of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have long cared for these lands.
Background checks
This role requires successful clearance of background checks (including criminal checks and leadership references).
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