Role:

The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of creative, technical and business acumen to develop and lead the    strategies that drive brand awareness and credibility for Cogeco Peer 1 as an international Information and Communications Technologies service provider. Responsible for brand development, strategic and tactical marketing program development, issues management, crisis communications, media and public relations, external and internal communications, social media and customer advocacy, this person will own and manage messaging and communication for the global organization and be the primary contact for key agency relationships. Working closely with Product Marketing, Marketing Operations, Product Management, and Regional Marketing this person will champion an integrated approach to Cogeco Peer 1’s marketing communications efforts and manage a team dedicated to aligning the Cogeco Peer 1 brand and message across global markets.

As a leader on the global Marketing team, you will collaborate and influence and drive strategies to ensure all branding and communications, internal and external are effective, consistent and creative.  You will work closely with a highly talented virtual team of Marketing Managers, and cross-functional teams in different geographies. More specifically, you will work collaboratively across the organization with a variety of functional leaders in Sales, Product, Customer Experience, Architects and Engineers, and with the Executive team to deliver content and messaging for Cogeco Peer 1’s solution suite of mature and more current offerings.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a cohesive and agile global marketing communications strategy and plan
• Provide thought leadership, and creative vision in the areas of advertising, media, public & influencer relations, internal and client communications and social media
• Oversee media relations, crisis and issues management in collaboration with internal stakeholders including customer experience and human resources
• Oversee all internal and external communications related to Cogeco Peer 1, including mass and targeted customer communication
• Liaise with regional teams to ensure brand consistency and leveraging of assets to meet overall goals
• Ensure that the Cogeco Peer 1 brand and messaging architecture is well adopted and supported in the organization
• Manage and act as the primary contact for global advertising and public relations agencies
• Ensure communications programs are integrated across channels with clear metrics and effective tracking
• Oversee social media, customer advocacy and internal communications strategies and programs
• Measure and monitor the company brand and sentiment across markets
• Ensure communications are consistent with the overall company’s strategic vision
• Provide leadership to a team of professional staff including managing performance, fostering development and engagement in support of a high performance culture
• Support and advise senior leadership team in the area of stakeholder communication
• Build cross-functional and cross-departmental relationships to leverage resources and integrate marketing strategies and tactics.

Candidate Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years, ideally 10+ years’ experience in leading and executing creative Branding, Communications, and PR strategies, preferably with experience in a range of organizational models (e.g. from start-up to established publically traded) in a B2B enterprise space along with managing virtual marketing teams or a related background.
• Experience in the B2B market is preferred
• Highly prefer a working knowledge/understanding of the IT market, with keen business and financial acumen to ensure credibility. Technology could include as many as the following: Hosting, Cloud, Data Centre, Security, eCommerce, Connectivity and/or Managed Services.
• Solid knowledge of other areas of marketing, sales and general business management beneficial.
• Strong project management capabilities and ability to juggle a number of simultaneous initiatives.
• Inquisitive and creative in nature, but is focused, action and results-oriented.
• Is flexible and has proven abilities to work effectively and collaboratively in a company and culture that is transforming.
• Ability to develop good relationships across all levels of the organization, including remote geographies.
• Likes to roll-up their sleeves and does what it takes to get things done, providing a good example to the team.
• Possesses a strong professional maturity that works collaboratively, respectively and genuinely.
• Can work effectively and productively in teams or individually. Is a natural leader and consensus builder.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work both independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Well-developed communications skillset, both oral and written, to create on point product messaging and effective presentations to large groups.
• Detail-oriented, organized and capable of deriving meaningful information from disparate data and sources.

Education:

Must have a completed University Degree in, Business, Communications, or Marketing or equivalent, MBA strongly desired.

Leadership Attributes:

• Track record of achieving results.
• Proven ability to lead and manage change
• Ability to lead, manage and develop others
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a results driven, team oriented environment
• Knowledge of service-related business models
• Experience dealing with external stakeholders such as media and industry analysts
• Ability to collaborate effectively with sales and cultivate strong customer relationships with internal and external customers
• Thorough knowledge of marketing principles, business decision-making techniques, business processes, technology industry dynamics and business market competition.
• Solid experience in strategic planning and execution practices
• Strong analytical, problem solving, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills within a culturally diverse multi-location work environment
• Experienced in effectively coordinating and planning multiple projects, executing multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently, while working with conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Detail oriented, accurate and thorough with highly organized and exceptional administration skills.
• Proven planning skills with the ability to “think outside the box” and see the “big picture” impact of decisions/actions.
• Exercises judgment and uses discretion with highly confidential materials
• Demonstrated relationship management skills coupled with a high level of professionalism.
• Possesses a strong intellectual curiosity and analytical capabilities
• Creative and strategic
• Is a confident, respectful leader who is flexible and has a sense of humor

First Year Priorities and Key Measurement for Success:

• Build relationships in the regions to develop a rich understanding for their needs- internal and external customer needs- to effectively coordinate regional work for consistency and impact.
• Understand and manage a global network for agencies to support and drive HQ & Regional agendas and priorities.
• Quickly come up to speed as it relates to our new brand campaign in order to best steer the regions and assist in the build of PR calendars and any social launches.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with corporate (Cogeco CommunicationInc. in Montreal) to ensure coordinated efforts and activities.
• Assess your talent team to ensure the best capability, capacity and potential, determine any immediate actions and execute.