Director, Communications and Strategic Planning
J.D. Irving, LimitedJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Irving Shipbuilding seeks its next Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, a strategic leader who will shape how this industrial success story is understood internally, onsite in Dartmouth. The role blends internal and external communications with strategic planning, translating complex priorities into narratives for leadership and government partners. You will lead a high performing team, foster collaboration, and deliver disciplined, performance based communications in a regulated defence environment. Ideal candidates bring experience in large industrial or defence settings, strong business sense, and the ability to connect operations to strategy. Apply online via KBRS; contact Daniella Sam, Katherine Risley, or Erin MacDonald with questions; highlight outcomes and inclusive leadership.
Lead Communications for Canada’s National Shipbuilder at a Defining Moment
As Canada’s National Shipbuilder and North America’s most modern naval shipbuilding and in‑service support provider, Irving Shipbuilding plays a central role in strengthening Canada’s defence capability and industrial future.
Headquartered in Halifax, Irving Shipbuilding has constructed more than 80% of Canada’s current naval fleet and leads major national programs under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, including the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and the future River‑class destroyer fleet. With a transformed, state‑of‑the‑art shipyard, a highly skilled workforce, and a coast‑to‑coast supply chain, Irving Shipbuilding is an engine of economic impact, innovation, and national readiness for decades to come.
Irving Shipbuilding is now seeking its next Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, a strategic, credible, and forward‑thinking leader who will continue to shape how this national industrial success story is understood internally, across partners, and throughout Canada.
The opportunity
As a key leader within an integrated portfolio spanning communications and strategic planning, the Director of Communications and Strategic Planning will help shape how Irving Shipbuilding communicates its purpose, progress, and performance. Operating at the heart of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, this role is central to connecting strategy with execution across a large, complex, and high‑visibility environment.
This is a unique opportunity to influence a national industrial program at scale, strengthening trust, cohesion, and shared direction across a critical Canadian enterprise.
As Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, you will provide enterprise‑wide leadership for internal and external communications and the integration of strategic planning into the communications function. Deeply connected to operations, you will ensure that communications are intentional, credible, and closely aligned with organizational priorities and operating plans.
You will lead the development of clear, people‑centred internal communications that support a strong, connected culture, ensuring the workforce understands annual priorities, performance expectations, and strategic direction. Externally, you will guide disciplined, performance‑based communications that reinforce Irving Shipbuilding’s role as a trusted national partner to the Government of Canada.
A visible, trusted advisor, you will build strong relationships across the senior leadership team and with key external partners. You will translate complex priorities into compelling narratives, foster cross‑functional dialogue, and help leaders understand not only what should be communicated, but when and why. You will steward a high‑performing communications team, establishing standards of clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
As the ideal candidate, you are an accomplished communications leader with significant experience in large, operationally intensive, and highly regulated environments, ideally within industrial, defence, manufacturing, or other complex private‑sector settings. You understand how to lead communications in environments defined by scale, operational tempo, and a mix of unionized and non‑unionized workforces, and you bring strong business acumen that enables you to connect operational reality with coherent, forward‑looking communications strategies.
You are a disciplined and intentional communicator who delivers measured, credible messaging that reinforces organizational priorities, and you excel at building trusting, influential relationships with executives, operational leaders, and cross‑functional partners.
A strong people leader, you develop and motivate high‑performing teams with clarity, accountability, and shared purpose, while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. Known for your resilience, steadiness, and presence in fast‑paced, high‑visibility environments, you navigate ambiguity with confidence and provide sound counsel during moments of complexity.
Above all, you bring the energy, judgment, and strategic perspective required to translate strategy, performance, and complex priorities into clear, compelling narratives that drive alignment, execution, and long‑term organizational success.
How to Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this exciting opportunity, please apply online via KBRS’s website at http://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17697192264190000008dAi. For more information or to ask any questions, please contact Daniella Sam at [email protected], Katherine Risley at [email protected], or Erin MacDonald at [email protected].
Inclusion and Accessibility
Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply.
Irving Shipbuilding is committed to creating accessible environments for all colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. Candidates are encouraged to make their accommodation needs known so that Irving Shipbuilding can provide equitable opportunities.
Should you require an accommodation to participate fully in the recruitment process, please let us know at [email protected].
Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States and are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities. Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply. We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.