Communications Specialist
Hospice Vaughan
Hospice Vaughan is a non-profit health care organization that serves the city of Vaughan and its surrounding communities. It offers a 12-bed residential hospice. As part of the community since 1995, Hospice Vaughan also provides wrap-around support programs for clients, their families and the greater community including Health System Navigation, Caregiver Support, Day Programs, Wellness Programs, and Grief and Bereavement Support.
The Position
The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and disseminating information that contributes to Hospice Vaughan’s awareness campaigns, fundraising appeals, program promotion and community engagement. Through dynamic content and clear, concise messaging, the Communications Specialist will develop a wide range of online and print communications materials and manage the website to execute on fundraising and operational priorities to strengthen Hospice Vaughan’s relationships with key audiences. As a new position, the candidate will help build a communications portfolio and share knowledge to advance communication strategies, processes and standards for continuity and consistency.
Our Team
The role reports to the Event and Marketing Manager and will be supported by a highly skilled team consisting of an Associate Director of Philanthropy, a Development Officer and the Database Administrator.
Primary Responsibilities
● Executes effective communication strategies to create internal and external communications, promote a positive public image of the organization, secure funding from fundraising appeals and high-quality events, as well as promote programming throughout the community to advance and increase brand awareness.
● Creates and produces materials to build robust online digital assets, including creation of various social media posts, press releases, digital booklets, newsletters, annual impact reports, direct appeals, sponsorship packages, posters, brochures, donor communications and case for supports.
● Establishes work plans and reports against progress using schedules that follow strict external deadlines.
● Works with staff on the creation of templates, tools and resources to ensure consistent information and efficient communication processes.
● Works with staff to collaborate on design, development and implementation of communication strategies and assets that meet the needs of the organization.
● Works closely with staff, volunteers, community members, and other stakeholders to collect content and ensure effective messages are promoted and communicated to all relevant audiences.
● Collects and manages a story bank of client and family testimonials through interviews to be shared across appropriate communications platforms for external publication.
● Provides support for media requests and relevant written materials as needed.
● Participates in and provide support to all Hospice Vaughan events as needed.
● Tracks and monitors media coverage and bring forward recommendations for trends in digital communications that align with best practices.
● Ability to work outside of scheduled hours to attend planned functions and events.
Social Media and Digital Assets
● Uses current social media platforms to promote Hospice Vaughan’s programs and fundraising strategies to targeted audiences.
● Executes and manages social media campaigns and works within Constant Contact.
● Researches, creates and shares content that aligns with Hospice Vaughan’s strategy, tone, and messaging through posts and e-blasts.
● Conducts quality control and fact checks all social posts and story lines.
Website Management
● Acts as the gatekeeper Hospice Vaughan website.
● Develops web content, ensures all content is up to date, and measures the success of specific web pages to ensure the website performs at optimal capacity.
● Defines and implements functional and technical improvements as needed.
● Reviews and reports on monthly trends via google analytics.
● Enhance website appeal, user functionality and quality of information.
Qualifications
● Preferred candidates will be located in Vaughan and familiar with community demographics, culture and history.
● A bachelor’s degree, college diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related discipline.
● Combined with a minimum three (3) years of in a communication role.
● Proven expertise in design, production and digital media technology to create videos, print marketing collateral, photos, web and social media products.
● Superior oral and written communication and editing skills, including the ability to write and edit quickly, accurately and creatively.
● Strong demonstrated business and marketing acumen expressed through writing skills, preferably in a non-profit sector.
● Ability to use data and metrics to measure impact and determine improvements.
● In-depth knowledge and experience managing X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, with proven success managing multiple channels according to brand requirements and goals, to build active engagement, maintain a consistent voice, and expand reach.
● Skilled experience working with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Microsoft Office, Google platforms, and other applications.
● Strong understanding of WordPress, and other web designing software.
● Experience creating and managing automated email journeys ideally using Constant Contact.
● Knowledge of fundraising approaches, event promotion and hospice services preferred.
● Exceptional writing skills to create compelling communication, influence emotional response, present validated arguments and capture nuance in a convincing manner.
● Strong understanding and awareness of perceptions, assumptions, values and principles.
● Understanding of working in a small team in the nonprofit sector.
● Effective skills in priority-setting, project management with multiple responsibilities, tight deadlines and competing demands.
● Extremely organized, detail oriented and thorough.
● Ability to work independently, show initiative and build communications from the ground up.
● Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
● Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle is required
● Successful candidate is required to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check
Qualified applicants are invited to forward a cover letter and resume by email. Please specify “Communications Specialist” in the subject line of your email and include your personal email address if applying via a job portal. Hybrid work arrangements can be made available for this position. The salary expectation for this role is $65,000.
Please submit your application no later than December 6, 2024. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis so interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. The position will remain open until hiring is completed.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted. Please no phone calls or agency inquiries.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- WordPress: 1 year (required)
- Social media management: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2024-12-06
Expected start date: 2024-12-16
