Head of Communications

Head of Communications
Halifax, Nova Scotia 
Reference #JL-PSA-10132 

PSA Halifax is Atlantic Canada's leading container terminal operator and an integral gateway for global trade. As part of the PSA International network, one of the world's largest port groups, PSA Halifax connects international supply chains through two container terminals and a corporate office in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Through strategic investments, operational excellence, and a commitment to people, PSA Halifax plays a vital role in supporting economic growth across the region and beyond. 

As the organization navigates significant transformation across the shipping and logistics industry, PSA Halifax is seeking a Head of Communications to help shape and strengthen communications across the business. This newly created role will be instrumental in driving employee engagement, supporting organizational change, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and ensuring clear, consistent communication during a period of growth and evolution. As PSA Halifax continues to evolve in response to industry transformation, workforce change, technology adoption, and significant growth opportunities, the Head of Communications will play a key role in helping employees, leaders, and stakeholders navigate change with confidence. 

The Role 

Reporting to the Managing Director, with a close working relationship with Human Resources and regional communications leadership, the Head of Communications will serve as PSA Halifax's principal communications resource. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role responsible for establishing and leading the organization's communications function while supporting a diverse workforce of salaried and unionized employees. This is an ideal opportunity for a communications leader who thrives in building, shaping, and executing communications strategies from the ground up. As a team of one, the successful candidate will be equally comfortable developing strategy and rolling up their sleeves to write, plan, and deliver communications across the organization. 

The successful candidate will partner with senior leaders to translate business priorities, operational developments, organizational change initiatives, and industry developments into clear, engaging, and effective communications. They will play a critical role in fostering alignment, trust, transparency, and engagement across multiple employee groups while supporting the organization's reputation among key external stakeholders. 

Working within a dynamic and evolving industry environment, the Head of Communications will help strengthen connections between leadership and employees, support employee and labour-relations communication initiatives, enhance employer branding efforts, and contribute to PSA Halifax's long-term culture and business objectives. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive internal communications and employee engagement strategy aligned with organizational priorities. 

• Translate corporate strategy, business objectives, operational updates, and transformation initiatives into meaningful communications for employees. 

• Build communication programs that engage both office-based and frontline employees across multiple worksites and employee groups. 

• Support organizational change, technology implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives through effective communication and engagement plans. 

• Enhance employee understanding of company priorities, performance, challenges, and future opportunities. 

• Lead the development of leadership communications, employee campaigns, town halls, presentations, and messaging. 

• Evaluate communication effectiveness and employee feedback to continuously improve engagement outcomes. 

• Support communications related to labour relations initiatives and help foster constructive dialogue, understanding, and engagement across unionized employee groups. 

• Develop communication approaches that support organizational integration, cultural alignment, and employee engagement across PSA Halifax’s operations and worksites. 

Strategic Communications Advising  

• Act as a trusted communications advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team. 

• Develop communication strategies and key messaging related to organizational change, workforce initiatives, operational developments, and business priorities. 

• Prepare speeches, presentations, briefing notes, talking points, FAQs, and leadership communications. 

• Anticipate communication risks and opportunities and recommend appropriate strategies and responses. 

• Provide communications leadership and guidance related to organizational transformation, operational change, workforce initiatives, and the adoption of new technologies. 

Corporate Communications & Stakeholder Relations 

• Support and protect the organization's reputation through consistent and effective communications. 

• Ensure alignment of messaging across internal and external audiences. 

• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, port partners, transportation providers, labour representatives, industry associations, and community stakeholders. 

• Coordinate communications activities with regional and global PSA communications teams as required. 

• Lead employer branding and talent attraction communications initiatives that strengthen PSA Halifax’s reputation as an employer of choice and support long-term workforce growth and development. 

Media Relations & Crisis Communications 

• Serve as a key contact for media inquiries and external communications activities. 

• Draft press releases, statements, media briefings, and other public-facing communications. 

• Monitor relevant industry, business, and community developments that may affect the organization. 

• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans and support leadership during issues requiring coordinated communication responses. 

Qualifications & Experience: 

The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications professional who combines strategic thinking with a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves approach. They are comfortable working independently, building new processes and programs, and developing credibility with diverse stakeholder groups. 

Qualifications include: 

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Human Resources, Business, or a related field. 

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive corporate communications experience. 

• Demonstrated success leading internal communications, employee engagement, and change communication initiatives. 

• Experience managing media relations and supporting reputation management initiatives. 

• Exposure to crisis communications planning and execution. 

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities. 

• Proven ability to influence and advise senior leaders. 

• Highly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling sensitive matters. 

• Experience supporting communications in a unionized, industrial, transportation, logistics, marine, or infrastructure environment will be considered a strong asset. 

• Demonstrated experience supporting change management, employee engagement, and organizational transformation initiatives. 

Why Join PSA? 

This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the communications function of a strategically important organization operating at the center of Atlantic Canada's supply chain network. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence organizational culture, strengthen employee engagement, support transformational change, and help shape the future of one of Atlantic Canada's most important transportation gateways. 

PSA offers: 

• Performance-based bonus program 

• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching contributions 

• Comprehensive employer-paid health and dental benefits 

• Employer-supported long-term growth and development opportunities through the global PSA network 

• Paid parking 

• The opportunity to contribute to high-profile projects, industry transformation initiatives, and organizational change efforts 

• A collaborative leadership team committed to transparency, employee engagement, and long-term growth. 

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online directly by clicking  'Apply Now' below. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kate Spares, Recruitment Specialist, at kspares@kbrs.ca or Jeff Lanthier, Partner, at jlanthier@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know. 

Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. 

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