Communications Specialist

"The best prescription I've ever given is a wish."

-Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, SickKids Hospital & Medical Advisor for Make-A-Wish Canada

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WISH?

Is it to be part of an organization that is child-focused, values employee experience and is an inspiring workplace? If so, Make-A-Wish is for you!

Make-A-Wish^ Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

“It’s been wonderful to have this wish to look forward to... It’s wonderful to see (Rowan) with something that brings him pure joy after all he’s been through and missed out on!”

–Melissa, mom to wish kid Rowan (age 5, leukemia), who wished for an indoor jungle gym.

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
• A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
• An attractive compensation package that includes group health and dental premiums which are fully covered by the Foundation, RRSP, & Wish paid hours
• Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• Hybrid working environment
• Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate discounts
• Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
• Fun employee activities, contests, and more!

Make-A-Wish^ Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Communications Specialist to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Manager of Corporate Communications, they will be responsible for the development, implementation, execution and coordination of all communication activities, with a focus on growing brand awareness in the Atlantic region. This position ensures consistency of message and brand in all communication deliverables while following established policies, procedures and guidelines. The Communications Specialist safeguards the interests of the Foundation to achieve/maintain a positive public image.

This role can be based out of any of our Atlantic Canada offices (Saint John, St John’s, Charlottetown, Halifax) and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

EVENT MARKETING:

• Develop and execute strategic communication and marketing plans, including key messaging and social media calendars/metrics for key initiatives, and review fundraising event materials for brand compliance.
• Prepare crisis communications plans where relevant.
• Ensure Integrated Marketing Requests are forwarded either by themselves or by development staff.
• Assist with marketing national signature events and provide limited support to third-party fundraising organizers.

MEDIA RELATIONS:

• Identify appropriate local media stories to maintain local awareness of MAWC.
• Use Meltwater to disseminate media releases, monitor coverage, and secure media sponsorships locally.
• Coordinate and prepare stakeholders for media interviews, manage regional media relationships, liaise with media at events, and act as a spokesperson if required.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT:

• Write and manage content for regional initiatives for all local channels and participate in social media editorial meetings, providing social media metrics.
• Oversee volunteer writers and create engaging wish stories and other required content, such as speeches, reports, press releases, event materials, etc. while ensuring brand compliance.
• Assist with gathering video content of wish stories, events, etc.

GENERAL:

• Manage video, story, and photo archives, and oversee the training of seasonal interns.
• Collaborate with development and mission staff, volunteers, and committees.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and perform other assigned duties.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 3-5 years of work experience in related roles.
• Proven ability to generate media coverage, and the ability to be persistent in approaching and communicating with the media and the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build solid relationships with journalists, internal stakeholders, external stakeholders, wish families, and more.
• Experience writing communications plans, strategies and tactics.
• Positive, can-do attitude and self-motivated with the ability to work well independently.
• Strong organizational, time management, project management, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy, including strong proofreading skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management skills, capable of working independently to deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Office, social media, Canva, Meltwater, Salesforce, and Dropbox is an asset.
• Bilingual in French and English is an asset.
• Experience in supporting fundraising professionals, and experience in issues management in relation to public relations and brand image, an asset.
• A clear Criminal Background Check will be required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week) with occasional requirements to work outside of regular office hours.

• Occasional requirement to work outside of regular office hours.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Works under pressure with multiple tight deadlines, demands, high volume workload, and dynamic/overlapping priorities.
• May be subjective to sensitive situations regarding wish children and families.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Make-A-Wish Canada (MAWC) is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We believe that it is essential to our mission that we build a diverse, balanced, and vibrant workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and seek to serve. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, to still apply.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now! The deadline to apply is June 20th, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to: https://can241.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-CA/makeawishca/Posting/View/466

Make-A-Wish Canada provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Reasonable accommodations due to disability are available on request at any stage of the hiring process.

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is swift in pace. Once applications are reviewed, we will contact our shortlisted candidates. Our typical process includes a phone screen, one or two interviews, and reference checking, followed by an offer and a criminal background check for the successful candidate.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in working with us!

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CANADA

In the past 40 years, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 39,000wishes across the country, with 1,389 of them last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

For more information on how you can support Make-A-Wish^ Canada or get involved please visit our website at makeawish.ca.