Communications Manager

Description

The Impact the Communications Manager can make:

As the Communications Manager you will lead Covenant House Vancouver's (CHV) internal and external communications, and media relations.

You will help tell the Covenant House story across multiple channels by leading the agency's content strategy, developing and managing content and ensuring consistency and alignment with brand voice.

You will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications, and work in partnership with the Marketing Manager, and the rest of the Marketing and Communications team, to implement communications plans, media relations, government relations communications support, and implement internal and external content creation using ethical storytelling to raise awareness of youth homelessness and promote the values of CHV.

How you will contribute:

Overall:

• Implement content strategy both internally and externally.
• Draft SOPs to ensure alignment of internal and external communication procedures.
• Support advocacy goals of CHV in providing strategic messaging on issues affecting vulnerable youth, as well as key messaging, briefing notes, backgrounders, speaking notes.
• Plan, create, write/edit, and distribute creative content for multi-channel use, ensuring consistency in voice and message.
• Manage the Communications and Marketing Coordinator and future additions to the communications team.
• Manage the relationships with key service providers and vendors.
• Manage budget and team HR matters.
• Perform other related duties as required.

External and Internal Communications:

• Lead in the creation and content development of the annual report.
• Collaborate with all departments to develop internal and external content for all collateral and content platforms.
• In partnership with the Marketing Manager, generate content for campaigns, social media, traditional media, the intranet, website, newsletters, and other activities designed to raise the profile of CHV.
• Keep staff informed by maintaining internal communications channels and ensuring that staff have access to the most current brand templates and materials.
• Support events and event-related content creation.
• Maintain the website content (WordPress) and ensure it is up to date, is SEO optimized and contains current content.
• Monitor and respond to social media queries and mentions (including weekends as needed).
• Ensure all content is optimized with an SEO focus.

Media Relations:

• Seek opportunities for media relations, especially proactive media.
• Maintain a media database and build key media relationships.
• Media monitoring and distribution of CHV in the news content.
• Maintain KPIs for media relations.
• Ensure all events that have media in attendance are supported with appropriate content.

Compensation:

The successful candidate can expect a starting salary of between $66,430.00 and $83,046.60, depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, salaries are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their salary to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $99,663.20.

Requirements

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent work experience in communications, government public affairs, journalism, or public relations.
• Three plus years in a comparable role is a must.
• Track record of creating/executing communications plans and/or communications campaigns to reach short- and long-term goals.
• Experience supervising or managing others.
• Experience working in, and directly supporting the aims of a donor-funded not-for-profit organization will be a strong asset.

Competencies:

• Highly articulate with excellent English writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• A content creation mindset and deep understanding of the importance of storytelling, story angles, excellent copywriting skills and knowing what keeps audiences engaged.
• Ability to conceive interesting ideas for new content and deliver the right content for the right platform.
• Photography and videography skills to support coverage of events and content creation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail and works well under deadlines.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines.
• Establish relationships with and become a trusted communications advisor to leadership and program teams.
• Ability to work with vulnerable youth to convey their story in a sensitive and respectful manner.
• Collaborative team player with strong leadership skills and the ability to manage and mentor teams to succeed.
• Calm under pressure with an ability to work flexibly to tight deadlines.
• Ability to deal effectively with ambiguity and frequent changes.
• Cultural competency and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Awareness of and commitment to DE&I principles
• Knowledge of current social media and online communication channels best practices.
• Organizational, problem-solving and project facilitation skills.
• Basic HTML and front-end WordPress content management.
• Familiarity working in a Microsoft Office platform.