Job Description

Embark on a transformative journey with Jack.org, where you will play a pivotal role in reshaping youth mental health across Canada. Our mission is to empower young individuals with community, knowledge, and tools to champion mental well-being. We envision a world where youth experience mental well-being, not distress. We stand poised and empowered for this crucial task, fortified by dedicated donors, a robust financial reserve, visionary leadership, and a high-performing team eager to drive change.
Focused on addressing the prevalent issue of mental health distress among youth, particularly those systematically excluded from mental health dialogue and action, we adapt programming to cater to diverse youth demographics and communities across Canada. Our approach centers on upstream prevention of mental distress and the promotion of mental well-being.
Ready to play a vital role in supporting the team that shapes the future of youth mental health in Canada? Join us in ensuring our dedicated staff is well-supported, enabling them to deliver on our mission with excellence for the benefit of the youth we serve!
Position: Officer, Public Relations and Communications (Bilingual) Reporting to: Senior Manager, Communications and Media
About You:

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree or equivalent in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline.
  
• 3 to 5 years experience related to content writing or media strategy as a freelance creative writer or within a professional organization
• Advanced to native French proficiency

Your Impact: You would be responsible for aiding in the development and implementation of internal and external communication strategies and plans that support Jack.org\xe2\x80\x99s strategic plans and add value to our relationships across audiences and channels. The Officer, Public Relations and Communications (Bilingual) will also lead projects and deliver outcomes in the following areas:
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Creative writing (40%)

• Produce and deliver creative copy as required (internal briefs)
• Manage the production of media materials including press releases, media kits, key messages, public service announcements, op-eds, etc.
• Alongside youth in the Jack.org network, develop thought leadership articles that are educational, thought-provoking, and illustrate the need for Jack.org\xe2\x80\x99s work in the mental health space
• Receive, scope, and deliver creative briefs from your colleagues
• Create timely and engaging content that is optimized for the platform it will be published on

Media relations (40%)

• With the support of the Sr. Manager, Communications, seek out media opportunities, respond to media requests, and build relationships with media members
• Assess media opportunities, develop speaking notes and key messages, prepare prospective interviewees, coordinate interview logistics, manage requests for quotes and issue corrections when needed
• Flag media coverage or trending narratives that point to reputational opportunities or threats for the organization and the network it serves
• Produce media highlight reports for senior leadership, curate news coverage for specific teams and needs
• Maintain an up to date list of pertinent journalists and build relationships with them on a proactive basis
• Develop and maintain a key messages database

• Track media performance using both qualitative and quantitative metrics, including hits and reach. Share results with internal stakeholders, including recommendations to further enhance media profile, as gleaned through measured performance

Editorial projects (20%)

• Assist your colleagues in developing storylines, messaging, and guidelines for communications materials across Jack.org
• When required, provide fact-checking services, liaise with subject matter experts for interviews, quotes, etc.
• Provide communication support, tools, references, and other valuable information to support staff and Network Reps
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and teams to ensure any content writing requests are fulfilled without errors or misinformation

Desired skills, competencies You will need a flexible mindset, curiosity, empathy and strong oral and written communication skills to perform the duties of this job. Other desired qualifications include:

• Flexibility to adapt to a changing media landscape
• Culturally relevant events and conversations among the public
• Attention to detail and ability to work with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent grammar and writing skills
• High emotional intelligence you can translate to content that speaks to our audiences and not at them
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Capacity to plan and facilitate brainstorming sessions with your internal clients

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Effective research skills
• Knowledge of a variety of media and marketing analytic and scheduling tools; leading social media platforms and their audiences; productivity and collaboration tools such as well as CRM platforms
• Strong knowledge of SEO essentials and appropriate marketing KPIs
• Strong time management and multitasking skills
• Understanding of branding and marketing strategies
• Project management skills
  
• Freelance and agency experience an asset
• Experience working with media

What\xe2\x80\x99s in it for you?

• A full-time, permanent position starting at $45,000-$50,000 per annum
• A competitive, comprehensive benefits package
• Working for an organization that supports personal and professional development and that will invest in your growth
• A flexible, trust-based culture: we offer uncapped sick days and flex hours
• A fun, exciting environment filled with an amazing group of driven, talented people
• In addition to vacation allowances, we offer a winter and summer office closure so that we can all recharge simultaneously
• A chance to contribute to the growth of an aspirational, well-funded organization and make a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of young people across Canada

How to apply:
If you\xe2\x80\x99re the person we\xe2\x80\x99re looking for, apply with your cover letter and resume (PDF format preferred). We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis, but we will consider them as they come in, so don\xe2\x80\x99t delay! The successful candidate must be able to start by January 2024.
While the work involves supporting a network of youth in all provinces and territories, this position is at the Jack.org headquarters in downtown Toronto (hybrid work, across home and office).
At Jack.org, we strongly believe that having a diverse team with various skills and abilities will inspire creativity and drive innovation in our organization. We are committed to building a team representative of different backgrounds and perspectives, and we encourage applications from all candidates who represent the full diversity of communities across Canada.
Don\xe2\x80\x99t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour, people from LGBTQ2S+ and disabilities communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Jack.org, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic, and accountable workplace, so if you\xe2\x80\x99re excited about this role, but your experience doesn\xe2\x80\x99t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the ideal candidate we are looking for.
Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the hiring process. Accommodation requests can be made by contacting accessibility@jack.org.
Thanks for applying!