CharityVillage

Position summary

The Manager, Communications, reporting to the Director, Philanthropy and Communications, is responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing high-quality communications strategies to effectively describe and promote the organization and its programs and services, build brand recognition, raise cause awareness, maintain and attract supporters, and drive participation in fundraising initiatives. This role provides supervision to communications staff. These communications efforts include content creation, event planning, community engagement initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, and to ensure these efforts align with St. Felix Centre’s mission, vision and values.  The position often collaborates with program managers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Tasks:

• Work with the Director of Philanthropy and Communications to generate creative communication strategies to position the organization’s brand in target audiences;
• Lead and manage team members within the department;
• Participate in budget development and responsible for expense tracking for all communication efforts.

Brand Management:

• Oversee the organization's brand identity, including brand guidelines, messaging consistency, and brand awareness campaigns;
• Create or lead the development of marketing/informational materials, including newsletters, press releases, targeted emails, articles, videos, storytelling efforts, and media opportunities;
• Manage and ensure the quality assurance of the organization's content for its communication channels and digital platforms, including email, website, and social media accounts, as well as printed materials.

Strategic Public Relationships:

• Proactively identify and cultivate strategic, positive, and productive relations with external stakeholders – other organizations, businesses, community groups and media outlets – to promote and leverage financial and in-kind donations, amplify messaging, and expand reach;
• Build and maintain solid relationships with assigned internal stakeholders to better develop, manage, and facilitate strategic communications and initiatives designed to meet organizational goals;

Event Management:

• Manage communication efforts for events, including fundraisers, community outreach programs, and donor appreciation events;
• Prepare detailed reports on communication and community engagement activities;

Digital Marketing:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the social media strategy – including paid social media advertising – and large social media campaigns;
• Research and understand target audiences and their behavior, competitor communications activities, and environmental factors impacting the sector;
• Monitor social media profiles daily, including weekends;
• Expand digital marketing efforts to include search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and email marketing campaigns strategies to reach broader audiences and drive engagement;
• Stay informed of developments in the field of marketing and communications, both within and outside the sector, to foster ideas and innovation.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Utilize and supervise the use of data analytics tools to track and analyze the performance of communication campaigns, social media engagement, website traffic, and email open rates;
• Generate regular reports to assess effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.

Crisis Communication Management:

• Develop and implement strategies for effective communication during crises or emergencies, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination to stakeholders and the public.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives:

• Integrate DEI principles into communication strategies and materials to ensure inclusivity and representation across all messaging.

Volunteer Management:

• Collaborate with the department staff to develop communication plans and materials for volunteer recruitment, training, and retention.

Other Responsibilities:

• Follow all health and safety protocols;
• Perform other duties and committee work as assigned.

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with St. Felix Centre’s Mission Statement and core values.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Internal: Executive to front line, guests
External: External agencies, community partners, on-line audiences

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY
N/A

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Responsible for purchases subject to approval from Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in a similar role;
• Proven experience leading and managing teams;
• Experience in planning and executing communications strategies with clear targets;
• Strong experience in creating, editing, and delivering professional communications content;
• Familiarity in planning, managing, and executing fundraising strategies and events;
• Experience with online paid advertisement a strong asset;
• Working experience with DMS systems is a strong asset;
• Demonstrated knowledge of SEO, analytics tools, and key performance indicators preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent leadership abilities, project management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced nonprofit environment;
• Ability to take initiative to develop new creative strategies and think outside the box;
• Adeptness to changing priorities, emerging trends, and unforeseen challenges;
• Some knowledge on web design and publishing, including WordPress;
• Ability to interpret data to build communication strategies and measure campaign effectiveness;
• Proficiency in Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required;
• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership abilities;
• Creative;
• People oriented;
• Diplomatic;
• Self-motivation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interaction with employees, management, and the public at large;
• Interaction with others under varying circumstances-including situations of a highly sensitive nature
• Flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays;
• May be exposed to inclement weather including snow, rain, heat etc.;
• Moderate exposure to levels of trauma content;
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting;
• Exposure to infectious waste or illnesses;
• Risk of exposure to pests;
• Pet friendly environment;
• Safety precautions due to proximity with hazardous materials and/or contagious diseases;
• Flexibility to travel between locations and some scheduled overtime is associated with this position;
• Requirement to follow all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) procedures.

Acknowledgement and Agreement

St Felix Centre strives to ensure that its employment practices are free from direct and indirect discrimination and is committed to upholding the human rights of those participating in the hiring process. In pursuit of this commitment, St Felix Centre will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.

All Internal and External job applicants must declare their vaccination status in their job applications—whether they have been fully or partially vaccinated. All candidates offered a position with St. Felix Centre from October 30, 2021, onward must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination and background check consent as a condition of employment. St. Felix Centre will comply with its Human Rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.”