Job Description

Position:

Director, Public Relations, and Community Engagement

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Profile Date:

January 2024

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public, private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the health and safety of people living in Canada. An NGO with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.

CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and Inuit people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director, Public Relations, and Community Engagement (PRCE) will be a strategic leader accountable for developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies to advance the mission and objectives of CCSA. This role requires a professional with extensive experience in public relations, communications, and social media management. The Director also leads the internal team and external suppliers in the areas of production, graphic design and translation services.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communication Planning

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies aligned with CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s priorities and objectives in substance use and addiction.
• Anticipates and manages communications opportunities and risks through the ongoing monitoring of trends in public opinion and media coverage, and analysis of internal and external environments, to nurture and protect CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s corporate image
• Provides advice and guidance to the Leadership Team (LT) on communication issues impacting the organization
• Working with the CEO, sets the Strategic Communications Direction for CCSA, and ensures the team successfully achieves the agreed-upon deliverables and results on time and on budget. Leads planning initiatives related to major events and product launches
• Liaises with representatives of federal and provincial governments, addiction agencies and non-government organizations, to coordinate activities related to shared communications issues and interests
• Establishes a strong network of contacts among bureaucratic and elected officials, to enhance CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s public profile and increase understanding of issues related to addiction, treatment and recovery

Media Relations

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and partners to proactively promote CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s initiatives and respond to inquiries in an effective and timely manner
• Media relationship management includes management of interview opportunities, responding to requests for information, engaging and preparing the appropriate CCSA spokesperson

Social Media Management

• Oversees CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s social media presence, providing and/or creating engaging content, overseeing platforms, and utilizing analytics to optimize outreach and engagement
• Remains innovative and up to date on new technologies to share CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s stories

Content Creation

• Lead the development of compelling and accurate content for press releases, articles, speeches, and other communication materials, leveraging CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s brand
• Ensures that communications, and production best practices and processes are established and followed to effectively meet internal client deadlines and deliverables

Crisis Communications

• Lead the development of crisis communication plans and effectively manage internal and external communications during critical situations or emergencies related to substance use and addiction
• Acts as the point person or provides speaking notes to the appropriate CCSA spokesperson, outlining key messaging ensuring consistency in messaging with CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s mandate

Accountability

• Evaluates the impact of the communication activities and makes recommendations for improvements as required Acts as the point person or provides speaking notes to the appropriate CCSA spokesperson, outlining key messaging ensuring consistency in messaging with CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s mandate
• Determines editorial direction and content of CCSA publications, including the annual report; and
• Makes both proactive and reactive recommendations related to short- and long-term issues that affect CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s reputation and corporate image
• Undertakes the financial and human resources management of the PRCE division by establishing, overseeing, and managing the divisional budget, supervising and coaching of staff, including performance management and development
• Negotiates and manages third party contracts
• Develops and maintains a strong network of contacts in the media, marketing, and communications field, including government officials and Ministerial press advisors
• Coordinates communications efforts around various partnership initiatives with multiple partners who may have competing priorities
• Advises CEO of opportunities and strategies with respect to communications and outreach; and
• Works collaboratively with other divisions of CCSA to ensure coordinated planning and implementation of cross-Divisional initiatives

Qualifications

• Bullet Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in journalism, Communications, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 8+ years of relevant experience at a senior communications level.
• A combination of experience and education will be considered.
• Fluent in English and French, including written and verbal communications.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multi-faceted teams, in the areas of public relations, marketing, content development and production.,
• Strong relationship builder, building credibility within the organization and with key partners.
• Experienced public speaker, strong written and oral communications skills in both official languages.
• Experience leading and managing complex and multiple projects with a focus on meeting deadlines

Assets

• Bilingualism in English and French
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the workings of the Canadian Federal Government and/or:
• Experience in working within a not-for-profit organization and/or;
• Experience in working within a not-for-profit organization in the healthcare sector

CCSA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and Inuit people and all equity-deserving groups are fully represented, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and people who are 2SLGBTQ+.

CCSA is dedicated to learning from and supporting people with lived or living experience of substance use and health. We encourage people with lived or living experience of substance use to apply to join the CCSA team.

CCSA promotes the rights of all people with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its related Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. CCSA will make appropriate accommodations on request. Please inform CCSA in advance of a request for accommodation during the recruitment process by email.

If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resum\xc3\xa9. The CCSA office is in Ottawa. Qualified candidates outside of the Ottawa region are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must be willing to be onsite to attend meetings or attend other partner meetings as required. The successful candidate must be willing to travel as required. CCSA will accommodate reasonable and necessary approved travel expenses under CCSA\xe2\x80\x99s travel guidelines. We thank all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

No agencies please.

CCSA was created by Parliament to provide national leadership to address substance use in Canada. A trusted counsel, we provide national guidance to decision makers by harnessing the power of research, curating knowledge and bringing together diverse perspectives.

CCSA activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views of CCSA do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada.

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Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse