Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Development
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Hills

Toronto,Canada

Summary

  • High energy, innovative, idea-oriented external public relations and internal executive communications professional, with a proven track record of successful programs.
  • Storytelling master with skills in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with key/targets audiences.
  • Approaching 20 years of experience managing the prioritization of communications initiatives in tandem with stakeholder engagement.
  • Valuable insight and perspective from working both agency and client side.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, National Employee Communications

Canada Life
11.2018 - Current
  • Trusted resource responsible for building and implementing the President & COO’s and Executive Vice-President, Group Customer’s speaking opportunities, including internal and external conferences, meetings, roadshows, videos, key messages and employee emails.
  • Leading the integrated communications plan across all communications leadership for the Canada business strategy, ensuring we are telling our Canada business story.
  • Managing a team, across Canada, who lead various communication initiatives increasing positive employee engagement.
  • Maximizing team performance and development through ongoing coaching, feedback, performance assessments, goal setting, team collaboration, and leadership.
  • Driving collaborative communications across the organization with multiple key stakeholders, subject matter experts, and business leads/owners.

Director Transformation Communications

Canada Life
04.2018 - 10.2018
  • Responsible for the strategic internal communications programs and activities that support and advance the organization’s strategic plan and key transformational initiatives, including executing internal communications campaigns to showcase the transformation journey—past, present, and future.
  • Developing content and experiences that educate, engage, and empower advisors and employees.
  • Identifying key milestones to celebrate internally through executive messages, town halls, updates, videos, etc.
  • Collaborating with enterprise leaders, initiative leads, and other key stakeholders to develop key messages, content, and resources through appropriate internal communications channels.
  • Developing the Canada Business Story and aligning it with other strategic priorities through cross-functional collaboration.

Director, Public Relations & Crisis Communications

Sears Canada
02.2015 - 11.2017
  • Reported directly to the Chief Marketing Officer.
  • Responsible for the development of Sears Canada's Public Relations, Marketing, and Media Strategy to promote, enhance, and protect the organization’s brand reputation.
  • Oversaw all marketing communications, including the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of branding activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization.
  • Responsible for all major corporate events, managing the public relations agency and serving as an external communications subject matter expert and spokesperson.
  • An ambassador for the organization by building relationships with Canadian stakeholders by increasing brand identity; broadening awareness programs and priorities; and increasing visibility across key audiences. This includes all organic social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) and media buying (television, radio, and out-of-home).
  • Identifying challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization and working to create and implement internal and external communications opportunities and solutions.

Senior Manager - Communications

Sears Canada
04.2014 - 01.2015
  • Reported to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
  • Responsible for driving the planning, development, and implementation of a best-in-class internal communications program to promote understanding of the company’s strategies and build alignment with its mission, vision, and values.
  • Consistently informed, engaged, and recognized 17,000 Sears associates across the enterprise through various mediums, creating brand ambassadors.
  • Partnered with key members of the Executive and Senior leadership teams to help design and deliver communications in support of key programs, policies, and processes.

Public Relations Specialist

The Home Depot Canada
04.2012 - 04.2014
  • Responsible for developing and executing integrated public relations strategies through corporate, philanthropic, and merchandising programs to maximize and/or protect brand reputation.
  • Managed external PR agency to ensure merchandising programs were on time and within budget, including measurable results.
  • Participated in crisis management, including key message development, and maintained strong relationships with media contacts for positive coverage.

Communications Advisor

Canadian Tire Corporation
11.2010 - 01.2012
  • Managed and supported day-to-day communications activities, including development of materials for internal and external use, media relations, internal and external stakeholder relations, program execution, and relationship building.

Consultant

Environics Communications
04.2008 - 11.2010
  • Accounts included: Coca-Cola Canada, Ontario Tire Stewardship, LoyaltyOne - Air Miles Rewards Program, Goodyear Canada, and The Globe and Mail.

Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator

Staples Business Depot
05.2006 - 04.2008
  • Helped manage day-to-day public relations activities on a national basis to add value and create a positive brand image.

Education

Graduate Certificate Program - Corporate Communications

Seneca College
Toronto, ON

Honours B.A. - Psychology

University of Western Ontario - Huron University College
London, ON

Skills

    Executive Communications

  • A trusted advisor (chief of staff level resource) directly called on for c-suite level executives
  • Strategically elevates senior executive leadership profiles through various internal and external vehicles
  • Produces high-impact presentations/remarks/messaging for all internal and external senior executive engagements

    • Leadership & Work Ethic

  • Dynamic and savvy communicator with bottom-line, results-driven orientation
  • Strong ability to adapt to changing environments and deal with complex challenges Ambiguity is my friend
  • Extremely self-motivated and able to build collaborative partnerships with stakeholders - even the difficult ones!

    • Strategic Planning

  • Develops clear strategies that best position the strengths of products/services/people
  • Comprehensive approach to plan development and alignment to priorities
  • Detail-oriented and able to manage ambiguity and multiple priorities with tact and skill

Professional Development

  • Women in Leadership National Employee Resource Group, Communications Lead, Canada Life, 2020
  • American Marketing Association Mentoring Program, Toronto Chapter, 2018-2020
  • Mindful Leader Certification, 2018-2020
  • Working Skills Centre, Board of Directors, 2016-2017
  • Retail Council of Canada, Excellence in Retailing Awards: Judge, 2015-2017

Timeline

Director, National Employee Communications

Canada Life
11.2018 - Current

Director Transformation Communications

Canada Life
04.2018 - 10.2018

Director, Public Relations & Crisis Communications

Sears Canada
02.2015 - 11.2017

Senior Manager - Communications

Sears Canada
04.2014 - 01.2015

Public Relations Specialist

The Home Depot Canada
04.2012 - 04.2014

Communications Advisor

Canadian Tire Corporation
11.2010 - 01.2012

Consultant

Environics Communications
04.2008 - 11.2010

Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator

Staples Business Depot
05.2006 - 04.2008

Graduate Certificate Program - Corporate Communications

Seneca College

Honours B.A. - Psychology

University of Western Ontario - Huron University College

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