Job Description

Director, Strategic Communications

Mississauga, ON, Canada \xe2\x97\x8f Virtual Req #960

Friday, May 26, 2023

Are you looking for more than a job? At World Vision Canada we offer challenging careers that change the lives of children all over the world and it will change yours too. Come and be part of a team of 400 Canadians with a vision for the world: Life in all its fullness for every child.

You will experience Christian faith in action helping to make real and lasting change in the lives of the world\'s most vulnerable children. Join the World Vision Canada team and be part of a powerful and effective force for good:

For Children. For Change. For Life.

Position: Director, Strategic Communications

Reports To: Vice President, Marketing

Position Term: Full Time Permanent

Primary Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Workplace Type: Remote (Within Canada)

At World Vision Canada, we are making the world better. Join us!

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Strategic Communications with a proven track record in strategic communication, crisis management, and media relations within the nonprofit sector.

If this sounds like you, we can\'t wait to hear from you!

Job Purpose:

The Director, Strategic Communications, is responsible for leading and managing our media engagement across all areas of marketing, fundraising, advocacy, and emergency response.

This role plays a crucial role in shaping our organization\'s reputation, maintaining positive relationships with the media, and effectively managing reputational risks.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive media engagement strategy to effectively communicate the organization\'s mission, initiatives, thought leadership and impact to key stakeholders, with a particular focus on traditional media outlets and journalists, and including enterprise-wide message development and alignment.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets and journalists, to maximize the visibility of the charity\'s work and secure media coverage for key campaigns, advocacy, and thought leadership moments, emergency response and during crisis response.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses and coordinating interviews and media opportunities for relevant spokespeople within the organization.
• Maintaining an organizational media portal for emergency response situations maximizing World Vision\'s visibility and accessibility to the national and international media.
• Develop and maintain an organizational media contact database, regularly updating it with relevant contacts and nurturing relationships with key media personnel.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify and shape compelling stories, news releases, op-eds, and other media materials that effectively communicate the charity\'s initiatives and achievements.
• Co-ordinate the monitoring of media coverage and public sentiment related to the charity, providing regular reports and analysis to inform decision-making and reputation management strategies.
• Develop and implement issues management and crisis communication strategies and protocols to effectively address and manage potential reputational risks, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to critical incidents or controversies.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders like the Humanitarian Coalition around media and communications matters.
• Provide media training and coaching to staff members and key spokespersons within the organization, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage with the media.
• Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging communication technologies, and apply relevant knowledge to enhance the charity\'s media engagement and issue management strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, fundraising, Advocacy, and programmatic teams, to align communication efforts and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
• Operate as the point of escalation for donor relations issues.
• Lead and manage the strategic communications team which will support and deliver the strategic communications strategy and day-to-day responsibilities.
• Deliver the above within the context of a Christian organizational culture and in line with our global standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor\'s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. Master\'s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, crisis management, or related roles, including within the nonprofit sector.
• Proven track record in successfully managing media engagement, building relationships with journalists, and securing media coverage.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for diverse media audiences and effectively communicate complex ideas.
• Experience in crisis communication and issues management, with the ability to navigate and manage reputational risks effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with media outlets, journalists, and influencers, building and maintaining positive relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze media landscape and trends to inform communication strategies.
• Knowledge of digital communication platforms and tools, including social media, email marketing, and content management systems.
• Passion for the mission and values of the charity and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world in the context of our inclusive and diverse Christian culture.

Why Consider Us?

• World Vision Canada has consistently been awarded Canada\'s and the GTA\'s top employers. Other awards granted are for financial transparency, marketing, customer service and for the work we do in the field.

• We are Canada\'s largest development, relief, and advocacy non-profit.

• Competitive total rewards package.

• You get extra time off. We close for an additional day on long weekends, 6 times a year. You can get up to six weeks\' vacation, plus paid sick days, personal days & wellness days.

• Flexible work schedules, allowing you to prioritize yourself, your family and your work.

• Work from home opportunities.

• Opportunities to work with cutting edge technology.

• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development.

• Opportunities to become a member of our Employee Resource Groups.

• A creative and dynamic work environment, where your ideas and contributions can be heard, valued, and respected.

• A supportive management team committed to upholding the highest standards of diversity and inclusivity.

#LI-Remote

We bring life-saving support in times of disaster. We help poor communities to take charge of their futures. We provide small loans and training that boost family livelihoods. We work with policy makers to change the way the world is run. Our Christian faith teaches us that every child, regardless of gender, faith or race, is a precious gift to the entire world - and that their wellbeing concerns us all. We shall never rest while children suffer in situations that can be changed.

Our Core Values: We are committed to the Poor. We are Christian. We are Stewards. We value People. We are Partners. We are Responsive.

Qualified candidates must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the core values and mission of the World Vision partnership.

World Vision Canada takes our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we provide an environment that is safe for our child and adult beneficiaries. We have strong recruitment procedures to make sure the safest and most suitable people work with the children in our programs. We provide our staff and volunteers with ongoing supervision, support and training in their work with child and adult beneficiaries.

World Vision Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Thank you for your interest; however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Other details

• Job Family Communications
• Job Function Director
• Pay Type Salary
• Employment Indicator Remote with Travel/External Engagement

• Mississauga, ON, Canada
• Virtual

World Vision International