Communications Specialist,External Communications and Government Relations

BCLC exists to generate win-wins for the greater good.

For our people, our players, our communities, our industry, and our planet.

Lottery | Casino | Sports

Being a social purpose company, we are not only able to better align our business decisions with our purpose, but more importantly, we are committing to doing our part in creating a better world.

We bring our purpose to life by ensuring all our actions, behaviours and decisions create benefits for communities and the planet.

Motivated and guided by our social purpose, everything we do must benefit the greater good. And we encourage our employees, partners, players, industry and communities to engage with us on this ambition.

We want you to be where you feel you can do your best work. Most of our jobs can be done remotely providing you reside in BC.

For those who prefer working in a community with others, we have two beautiful offices in convenient locations:

• 2940 Virtual Way, Vancouver

• 74 Seymour Street W, Kamloops

This is a Temporary < 12 Months, Full Time opportunity with an expected end date of December 31, 2026

Expected Salary Range: $72,633.00 - $90,792.00 - $113,490.00

• Our typical hiring range will be +/- 5% of the midpoint shown above

• Factors influencing this decision include qualifications and market conditions for the role

The Company

For nearly four decades, BCLC has delivered exceptional gambling entertainment for British Columbians. To fulfill our social purpose we have a vision to revolutionize gambling entertainment through engaging experiences that build and benefit communities. We operate national and provincial lotteries in partnership with 3500 retail partners, provide the games, technology & oversight to 37 brick & mortar casinos, and operate a safe secure and 100% legal online gambling presence PlayNow.com. In our recently completed fiscal year, BCLC generated a record $1.4 billion in net income to the Province of B.C. to support First Nations, host local governments, health care, education and community programs across the province.

Job Summary:

The Communications Specialist, External Communications and Government Relations builds understanding of BCLC by providing specialized advice and support in the areas of communications, public relations, media and/or government relations and issues management.  The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and implementation of strategic communications plans while working collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders, including BCLC executives, elected officials, civil servants and media. 

Key Accountabilities:

• Provides input into communications strategies, develops and helps execute proactive communications plans and materials to support business strategies, to raise awareness of BCLC’s products and to build public trust and understanding of the corporation and the industry.
• Supports public relations and proactive earned-media activities by enhancing relationships with media and developing campaigns, content, media pitches and other external communications tactics that build understanding of BCLC and the gaming industry, and support corporate initiatives and objectives.
• Supports the team in the execution of proactive media activities such as news conferences, winner celebrations, news releases and public event.  Writes compelling, clear and concise content that effectively shares stories about BCLC to build understanding of its purpose.
• Identifies storytelling opportunities and supports the team to develop strategies for external communications and government relations activities that build understanding of BCLC and its strategic priorities and initiatives.
• Proactively builds, develops, maintains and manages strong working relationships throughout the organization and champions the role of the department in building trust and understanding with government and media.
• Consults with BCLC business units to develop an understanding of key initiatives and issues and develops communications strategies and materials to support those initiatives.
• Supports the development of briefing notes, and other documents that support government and regulatory understanding of our business and that assist in obtaining approvals for business initiatives.
• Develops responses to requests for information from media and Government.
• Assists in issues management by researching emerging issues, reviewing marketing materials, Freedom of Information requests and other external facing documents and activities.
• Fosters trust and credibility through ongoing, clear, accurate, open, timely and two-way communication with internal and external audiences.
• Serves as a back-up to the corporation’s media spokespeople. May be required to respond to media enquiries after hours as required (carries the media phone, on a rotational basis).

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A degree or diploma in a communications, journalism and/or public relations discipline;
• 3 to 5 years current, related experience in which strategic thinking was a critical element;
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.

Technical Requirements

• Experience in issues management, media relations, public relations agency and/or government relations;
• Sound knowledge of principles, concepts, practices and techniques in the areas of strategic government communications, issues management and media relations;
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of communication plans and materials;
• Exceptional writing skills;
• Sound judgment to navigate challenging situations;
• Ability to work within tight deadlines and with close attention to detail, to ensure consistent, accurate messaging through all channels.;
• Adaptability and flexibility, including ability to manage competing deadline pressures, ambiguity and change;
• Ability to develop messages that effectively tell the organization’s story to a variety of audiences;
• Exceptional project management, time management and multi-tasking skills;
• Excellent problem solving and analytical thinking/innovation;
• Excellent interpersonal skills,with the ability to communicate and negotiate with people at all levels;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong computer skills – MS office suite;
• General business acumen;
• Understanding of B.C. gaming industry and its regulatory requirements is an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Must be available to travel;
• Must be able to work flexible hours.

What’s in it for you

• Robust wellness programs to enhance your physical, mental, social, financial and career well being

• We pride ourselves on our flexible working model which supports work-life integration and our 37.5 hour work week

• Our Play It Forward program provides volunteer hours for our people each year

• See all our rewards here

   

However you identify, or whatever your path in life, if you see something here that makes you excited to get to work every day, please apply. We hire people for skills, capabilities and potential, not just education and experience.

We value Respect, Integrity and Community, and we provide an inclusive environment where everyone can feel like they belong.

Our social purpose is much more than returning 100% of net income to the province in the form of healthcare & education programs, and community gaming grants. Check it out!

Did you know BCLC is an industry leader in player health and safe & responsible gambling? Find out more!

If you require accommodation so you can be at your best in the interview, please let us know: recruitment@bclc.com.

All candidates must be at least 19 years of age and legally eligible to work in Canada