Communications Advisor

About Us

At CSDS, we prioritize people—both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.

In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.

We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.

Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.

Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs—and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

About Our Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Communication Advisor who is passionate about delivering clear, impactful messages to a diverse range of audiences. You will work with staff to promote public understanding of initiatives, programs and services, and ensure priorities, policies and actions are clearly communicated. You will work with media, accepting and coordinating requests and media questions, and developing answers. You will also work with professionals in marketing, video, photo, design and more to deliver quality communications products and strategies.

The ideal candidate is skilled in developing effective and innovative communication strategies. You have experience working with a diverse range of audiences and crafting communications strategies and products that are accessible and inclusive. You have experience in the full range of communications skills, tactics and strategies to support the needs of the department you’re supporting. You will be expected to brief and advise senior leaders and elected officials.

Primary Accountabilities

The Communications Advisor works with partners to develop and implement communications strategies. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• briefing and providing advice to senior staff and elected officials
• supporting sessions of the Legislative Assembly and appearances at legislative committees
• media relations
• issues management
• developing and implementing communications strategies
• writing news releases, speeches and other materials
• content development for social media, public announcements, marketing and web
• event planning
• working with partners on stakeholder communications
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should have a post-secondary degree in public relations, communications, journalism, and several years of professional communications experience, or an acceptable equivalent.

The successful candidate should also have:

• curiosity about emerging technologies and the ability to translate complex digital and technical concepts for public audiences 
• ability to build relationships and collaborate with members of Nova Scotia's broader digital, technology and cybersecurity communities 
• strong writing skills, including plain language skills, and speech writing experience 
• experience with media relations 
• strong collaborative work ethic 
• significant experience developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies that leverage traditional and emerging digital strategies 
• experience with social media and digital platforms/technologies, and the ability to effectively engage large audiences with minimal resources 
• experience in communications strategies and tactics for inclusion and accessibility 
• experience advising clients and working with a diverse range of stakeholders 
• experience and comfort briefing and advising senior staff and elected officials 
• experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment, under tight deadlines

Assets

• Solid understanding of the public-sector environment 
• Leadership experience 
• An understanding of Nova Scotia’s unique social, historical and demographic make-up 
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and an understanding of the associated social and systemic complexities 
• Experience in/knowledge of data analytics, human-centered approaches, and artificial intelligence. 
• French language skills

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

 **Definition of professional communications experience = professional writing experience, digital content creation, media relations experience, experience interpreting complex information for a public audience, preparing and delivering briefings to senior-level officials, including experience with traditional and emerging digital-first communications strategies and data-driven storytelling.

Benefits

Based on the employment, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long-Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• Will be required to work outside business hours from time to time.
• High concentration of demands and priorities.
• Pressures to meet deadlines with attention to accuracy.
• Majority of time is spent in a comfortable office setting with frequent opportunity to move

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.