Communications Specialist

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Location:

Calgary, AB or Kitikmeot Region, NU (in person) — remote/hybrid arrangements from other Canadian locations may be considered

Employment Type:

Full-time, Permanent

Reports To:

Environment Manager

About West Kitikmeot Resources Corp.

West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. (WKR) is an Inuit-led organization dedicated to the development of the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut for the benefit of Kitikmeot Inuit. WKR is the sole proponent and developer of the Grays Bay Road and Port (Grays Bay) Project. Grays Bay is a proposed deep-water port on the Northwest Passage of the Arctic Ocean connected by a 230 km, multi-user all-season road to the northern terminus of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR). Once constructed, the Grays Bay Road and Port will provide the first land link between the Northwest Passage and the North American highway system. The Project will be the northern half of the Arctic Economic \& Security Corridor, which will ultimately connect southern Canada and Arctic deep-water with all-season road access.

Job Description

WKR is seeking a Communications Specialist to manage the company's internal and external communications during a pivotal period of regulatory review, government engagement, and community engagement. This role is central to ensuring that Kitikmeot communities, project partners, government stakeholders, and the public receive clear, accurate, and timely information about the GBRP.

The project is currently at the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) Review stage, following WKR's submission of the Impact Statement on March 1, 2026 (NIRB File 24XN038). The Communications Specialist will play a key role in supporting public and community understanding of this review process. This is a foundational communications position: the scope of the role is expected to grow as the project advances beyond the current Review stage into construction, and ultimately into operations and maintenance, with corresponding evolution in communications needs, audiences, and complexity.

Key Duties Include:

Communications Strategy \& Coordination

• Manage and coordinate all incoming and outgoing communications for WKR, including media inquiries, government correspondence, and public information requests.
• Draft press releases, briefing notes, Q\&As, backgrounders, and public statements related to project updates, funding announcements, and regulatory developments.

Website Management

• Manage and maintain WKR's website, ensuring project updates, regulatory milestones, news releases, and engagement materials are kept current and accessible.
• Coordinate website content updates with environmental and community engagement teams to ensure accuracy.
• Monitor website analytics and user engagement to inform content priorities and identify gaps in publicly available information.

Information Request Management

• Serve as the central point of contact for incoming information requests from media, government, Indigenous organizations, communities, and the public.
• Log, triage, and track all incoming requests to ensure timely and consistent responses, coordinating with relevant subject matter experts (environment, engineering, community engagement, executive) as needed.
• Maintain a record of response timelines and outstanding requests to ensure accountability and follow-through.

Media Monitoring \& Issues Management

• Monitor media coverage, social media, and public sentiment relating to the GBRP, WKR, and related Arctic infrastructure and critical minerals topics.
• Identify emerging issues early and develop proactive and reactive response strategies.
• Prepare senior leadership and spokespeople with talking points and issue briefings.
• Track and log all WKR responses to media inquiries, government questions, and community/public information requests, ensuring consistency across audiences and over time.

Community \& Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the Community Engagement Lead to ensure that project communications reaching communities are prompt, accurate, and culturally appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3\+ years of experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations, ideally in the resource development, infrastructure, government, or Indigenous relations sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex regulatory and technical information for general audiences.
• Experience monitoring media/public sentiment and developing issues management strategies.
• Strong understanding of, or willingness to learn about, Inuit governance structures, land claims agreements, and co-management processes in Nunavut.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical, environmental, and community engagement teams.
• Canadian work authorization is required.

Skills/Abilities Required for Success:

• Holds a valid driver's license
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbally and in writing;
• Ability to fluently speak, read, and write in Inuinnaqtun is considered a strong asset.
• An understanding of Inuit culture and values, and/or a strong willingness to learn - GBRP must benefit the Kitikmeot Inuit, and this mission needs to be reflected in the Project's approach to engagement.
• Entrepreneurial attitude - WKR is a fast-growing company, and we will be building the organization as we develop the GBRP Project.
• Team player - willing to help out with a wide range of tasks outside core responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently and deliver results under pressure.
• Ability to present effectively in group settings and to diverse audiences.
• Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work on a high-impact project, with a national profile and the potential for significant growth
• Casual cooperative environment
• Competitive compensation package reflective of your experience

To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and interest in the Grays Bay Road and Port Project to

[email protected]

with the subject line "Communications Specialist Application.”

West Kitikmeot Resources Corporation is committed to Inuit employment priority in accordance with the Nunavut Agreement. Beneficiaries of the Nunavut Agreement are encouraged to self-identify in their application.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.