Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Job title:
Director Public Relations & Community Engagement
Company
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
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, Métis 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 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. This Director also leads the internal team and external suppliers in the areas of production, graphic design and translation services.
Responsibilities
Strategic Communication Planning
- Develops and executes comprehensive communications strategies aligned with CCSA’s priorities and objectives in substance use and addiction
- Anticipates and manages communications opportunities and risks to nurture and protect CCSA’s image by continually monitoring trends in public opinion and media coverage and analyzing internal and external environments
- Provides advice and guidance to the leadership team on communication issues impacting the organization
- Works with the CEO to set the strategic communications direction for CCSA and ensures the team successfully achieves the agreed-on 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, addictions agencies and non-governmental 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’s public profile and increase understanding of issues related to addiction, treatment and recovery
Media Relations
- Cultivates and maintains relationships with media outlets, journalists and partners to proactively promote CCSA’s initiatives and respond to inquiries in an effective and timely manner
- Manages media relationships, including interview opportunities, and responds to requests for information by engaging and preparing the appropriate CCSA spokesperson
Social Media Management
- Oversees CCSA’s social media presence and provides and/or creates engaging content, overseeing platforms and using analytics to optimize outreach and engagement
- Remains innovative and up to date on new technologies to share CCSA’s stories
Content Creation
- Leads the development of compelling and accurate content for press releases, articles, speeches and other communication materials, leveraging CCSA’s brand
- Ensures that communications and production best practices and processes are established and followed to effectively meet internal client deadlines and deliverables
Crisis Communications
- Leads the development of crisis communication plans and effectively manages 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 that ensures consistency in messaging with CCSA’s mandate
Accountability
- Evaluates the impact of communication activities and makes recommendations for improvements as required
- Determines editorial direction and content of CCSA publications, including the annual report
- Makes both proactive and reactive recommendations related to short- and long-term issues that affect CCSA’s reputation and image
- Undertakes the financial and human resources management of the Public Relations and Community Engagement division by establishing, overseeing and managing the divisional budget and supervising and coaching 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 fields, 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
- Works collaboratively with other divisions of CCSA to ensure coordinated planning and implementation of cross-divisional initiatives
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, business administration or equivalent
- Eight or more 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 multifaceted teams in the areas of public relations, marketing, content development and production
- Builds strong relationships and credibility within the organization and with key partners
- Experienced public speaker
- Experience leading and managing multiple complex projects with a focus on meeting deadlines
Assets
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the workings of the Canadian federal government
- Experience working within a not-for-profit organization
- Experience 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, Métis 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 resumé. 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’s 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.
PI83d6654d5626-8722-33599788
Expected salary
Location
Ottawa, ON
Job date
Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:23:59 GMT
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