Interim Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)

Position: Full-time, temporary (15-month maternity leave replacement), 35 hours per week

Location: Canada, remote work, with occasional travel

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Help strengthen Canada's voice for communication health.

At Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC), we believe that communication is fundamental to connection, parcipation and quality of life. We are the national professional association representing speech-language pathologists, audiologists and communication health assistants, working to advance the professions and improve communication health for people across Canada.

We're also an organization in an exciting period of change.

With a renewed strategic direction, an evolving team and ambious plans for the future, we're strengthening how we work together, how we support our members and how we make our collective voice heard.

We're looking for an Interim Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Communications to join our Senior Leadership Team during a maternity leave. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys bringing people together, translating ideas into action and helping a commited team make a meaningful difference.

The opportunity

As Interim Director, you'll lead SAC's public affairs team while helping shape how the organization engages with governments, partners, members and the public.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership team, you'll provide strategic direction, support organizational priories, and ensure the team has the clarity and support needed to succeed.

We're looking for a collaborative leader who combines sound judgement, strategic thinking,



and strong people leadership with the ability to turn ideas into action.

What you'll do

Lead and support people. Provide direction, coaching and support to the communications and advocacy team. Establish explicit priorities and expectations, encourage collaboration, address challenges constructively and create an environment where people feel respected, supported and accountable.

Strengthen SAC's national voice. Guide the planning and delivery of public affairs initiaves that advance SAC's strategic priories and increase awareness of communication health issues across Canada.

Connect strategy with action. Translate organizational goals into realistic departmental plans, coordinate resources and priorities, monitor progress and help the team deliver meaningful results.

Build relationships and influence. Support engagement with governments, professional associations, coalition partners, members and other partners, bringing sound judgment and a collaborative approach to complex conversations.

Guide communications and emerging issues. Provide strategic oversight for organizational messaging, media relations, public awareness campaigns, reputational considerations and sensitive communications issues.

Work across the organization. Collaborate with colleagues in membership, professional practice, learning and operations to ensure our work is coordinated,



informed by professional expertise and focused on member value.

Contribute to organizational leadership. As a member of SAC's Senior Leadership Team, participate in strategic and operational decisions, contribute ideas, challenge assumptions constructively and help strengthen our organizational culture.

Who we're looking for

You are an experienced leader who understands that strong results and healthy workplace relationships go hand in hand.

You bring a combination of strategic thinking, practical judgment and the ability to turn complex priorities into coordinated action. You are comfortable navigating change, supporting people through uncertainty and balancing competing demands without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Ideally, you'll bring:

- Significant progressive experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy, government relations or a related field, including experience leading teams and complex initiaves.
- An understanding of Canadian public policy, government relations and partner engagement, ideally in healthcare, professional associations or the not-for-profit sector.
- Strong strategic communications skills, including the ability to navigate sensitive issues and provide thougtfhul advice to senior leadership.
- Experience developing plans, managing priorities and budgets, and supporting teams to deliver results.
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership approach grounded in trust, accountability, transparency and respect.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
- Sound judgment, adaptability and the confidence to make decisions while remaining open to different perspectives.

A post-secondary degree in a relev

📌 Interim Director Public Affairs (Calgary)
🏢 Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
📍 Calgary