As a Manager - Advertising and Marketing in the Department of National Defence, you will lead and coordinate advertising and marketing initiatives that support DND's strategic objectives and public engagement. You will develop marketing strategies, oversee campaigns, manage budgets, and direct teams of communications professionals. Your work will involve translating organizational priorities into compelling messaging that reaches diverse audiences across multiple platforms and channels.
In this role, you will be responsible for planning and executing advertising campaigns, monitoring market trends, analyzing campaign effectiveness, and ensuring brand consistency across all communications. You will collaborate with senior leadership, other government departments, and external partners to amplify DND's key messages. Your strategic guidance will help shape how the Canadian Armed Forces and Defence is perceived and understood by Canadians.
You will work in a dynamic communications environment within a large federal organization. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on national defence communications while managing a talented team of marketing and advertising professionals.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of advertising and marketing services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the advertising and marketing team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Writing and editing, Strategic thinking, Media relations, Digital content creation, Stakeholder engagement, People management, Operational oversight, Quality assurance, Resource coordination
Typical Education
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, advertising, or a related field. Many successful candidates have post-secondary education in business administration, public relations, or marketing management.
Professional certifications such as those offered by the Canadian Marketing Association, the Public Relations Institute of Canada, or the Advertising Standards Canada can strengthen your candidacy. Government of Canada offers professional development through the Canada School of Public Service, including courses in strategic communications, digital marketing, and management skills.
Continuing education in areas such as digital marketing trends, data analytics, social media strategy, and government communications is valued. Many managers pursue or maintain memberships with professional marketing and communications associations to stay current with industry best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry into this position typically occurs through competitive staffing processes advertised on the Public Service Commission (PSC) website and the Government of Canada Jobs portal. Most openings are filled through external competitions open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents meeting specific criteria.
Internal lateral moves are common for employees already within the federal public service who meet the qualifications and apply through internal competitions. Some candidates transition from related communications, marketing, or public affairs roles within DND or other government departments.
The Government of Canada also offers student and early-career programs such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR) program and the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) that can provide pathways into communications careers. Building experience in marketing, advertising, or communications roles—whether in government or the private sector—strengthens your competitiveness for management-level positions.
To stay informed about opportunities, regularly check the PSC Jobs portal, subscribe to DND recruitment updates, and consider reaching out to DND's recruitment team to learn about upcoming staffing activities.
Part-Time Options
This position is typically offered as a full-time, permanent appointment. However, the Government of Canada is committed to supporting work-life balance and offers various flexible work arrangements.
Remote and hybrid work options may be available depending on operational requirements and management approval. Many DND communications roles have successfully transitioned to hybrid arrangements, combining office-based work for meetings and collaboration with remote work days for focused strategic planning and campaign development.
Flexible start and end times, compressed work weeks, and job-sharing arrangements may be negotiable with your manager and HR, subject to operational needs. Part-time positions at the Manager level are uncommon but may occasionally be available; you should inquire about specific opportunities during the application process.
The federal public service also provides benefits supporting work-life balance, including paid leave provisions, parental leave options, and employee assistance programs. These benefits apply to both full-time and part-time employees.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
