VP Corporate Communications

Permanent Full Time

Great-West Lifeco is seeking a Vice-President, Communications to shape and deliver an integrated external communications agenda that strengthens enterprise reputation and supports strategic and financial priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Vice-President, Investor Relations, this role is accountable for enterprise alignment across operating segments, proactive media engagement, and high-stakes communications that influence market understanding—working in close partnership with senior executives to ensure clarity, consistency, and credibility in every external touchpoint.

What you will do

Communications Strategy

• Own and advance Great West’s enterprise external communications strategy, translating corporate priorities, financial performance, and long‑term value creation into a clear, compelling, and disciplined narrative that strengthens reputation and market confidence.

• Develop proactive storylines and thought leadership opportunities that elevate Great West’s strategy, performance, and leadership; identify and prepare executives for high-impact interviews and engagements.
• Align media engagement with Investor Relations priorities, disclosure requirements and capital markets strategy

Spokesperson for Great West

• Serve as a senior point of contact for media inquiries related to earnings, financial results, outlook, strategy and governance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with financial, business and capital markets-focused journalists and editors to increase earned media coverage and raise the profile of the company.
• Proactively identify opportunities to increase visibility of Great West and its senior leaders in financial and business media.

Issues and Crisis Communications

• Play a senior role in crisis and issues management, including rapid response and reputation protection
• Lead media response for issues that could impact investor perception or market confidence
• Monitor media coverage, analyst commentary and market sentiment to identify reputational or disclosure risks.

Strategic Business Partner

• Convene and lead a global centre of practice across operating segments to ensure alignment, consistency, and quality in messaging, processes, standards, and decision‑making.
• Work with senior leaders particularly the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Great-West, to create their leadership ‘voice’, develop a communications strategy and define strategic messaging.

• Support communication needs (e.g. speaking engagements, conferences, media interviews) for senior leaders.
• Provide trusted, strategic counsel and risk-based recommendations to senior leaders, balancing speed, precision, and reputational considerations in a dynamic external environment.
• Partners with Internal Communications, Legal, Marketing, Public Affairs and HR to ensure aligned messaging

Communications Operations

• Own the external communications workflow for market-moving announcements, including drafting and coordinating Great-West press releases (quarterly results, transactions, events, and other financially material items) and drafting executive scripts and supporting materials.
• Ensure disclosure-adjacent communications are accurate and aligned with public disclosures, regulatory requirements and IR communications: review operating segment releases prior to publication for consistency with Investor Relations objectives.
• Strengthen Great-West’s owned channels and digital presence (e.g., LinkedIn and Great West website) to reinforce the enterprise narrative, ensure content accuracy, and improve discoverability and stakeholder experience.

Measurement and Insights

• Track media coverage quality, reach, sentiment and impact
• Provide insights and reporting to senior leadership on media trends, emerging risks and opportunities
• Use data to continuously refine messaging and engagement strategies

Leadership

• Mentor junior Investor Relations and communications employees on financial media engagement and disclosure discipline

• Manage agency partners and external advisors supporting financial communications

What you will bring

• 10-15+ years experience in corporate communications; preferably serving the insurance and/or financial services sector
• Experience leading external communications including, but not limited to: Media & PR, investor relations / financial communications, Board of Director communications, social media, issues and crisis response
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing comprehensive multi-year communications strategies in support of overarching corporate objectives
• Proven experience in establishing an external ‘Voice’ through media/PR initiatives and other, externally facing communication vehicles
• Experience in providing strategic counsel to senior level executives and developing communications to support executive (e.g. C-level) external speaking commitments
• Ability to creatively and continually evolve communication strategies, using a variety of channels / tools, approaches, and methodologies
• Knowledge of the latest communication channel tools and social media for internal and external strategies
• Ability to work through organizational complexity and connect cross-functionally
• Excellent leadership skills, including the ability to manage and influence others
• Strong consultative and diagnostic skills
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and meet tight time deadlines

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Great-West Lifeco

Great-West Lifeco Inc is a Canadian headquarter, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management, and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States, and Europe under the brands: Canada Life, Empower and Irish Life. At the end of 2024, our companies had over 32,250 employees, 106,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – serving approximately 40 million customer relationships.

Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.

What we offer:  

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member: 

Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement. 

Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being. 

Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.  

Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options. 

Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!  

Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.  

Learn more about Great-West Lifeco.  

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact  talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Great-West Lifeco policies.  

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