Communications and Media Specialist

Job Posting #

2025-02

Title:

Communications and Media Specialist

Classification:

Professional

Employment Duration:

Permanent, Full-time

Salary Range:

$85,192 - $106,531

Location:

Toronto, ON

The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) has represented Children's Aid Societies in Ontario since 1912, providing service in the areas of government relations, communications, information management, education, and training to advocate for the protection and well-being of children.

The Communication and Media Specialist plays a vital role in shaping and conveying the organization's messages to diverse audiences. Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies, this position ensures clear, consistent, and impactful messaging across all channels. The specialist collaborates with various departments and external stakeholders to create engaging content, manage media relations, and enhance the organization's public image. A key focus of this role is building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets, members and other key stakeholders including community partners and within government. By leveraging both traditional and digital communication tools, the Communication and Media Specialist fosters strong relationships with stakeholders, supports organizational goals, and drives effective internal and external communication initiatives. This role will also provide support to member agencies by offering knowledge and expert advice to enhance the work of OACAS departments and contribute to effective planning and decision making within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications:

Support the development and implement communication strategies that align with the organization's values, missions and goals.

Create high quality content including briefing notes, key messages, press releases and statements, digital media materials and correspondence tailored to targeted audiences.

Support and coordinate the internal change management initiative for new member communication processes, with an aim of continuous improvement.

Works collaboratively with various departments and key stakeholders to provide knowledge and expertise to support the work of the child welfare sector through formal and informal liaison and proactive dissemination of information.

Supports member agencies and other stakeholders by providing expert advice and guidance on communication strategies and plan; support the development of information materials; responding to inquiries; liaising with provincial networks and committees groups as required.

Develop and execute crisis communication plans to safeguard the organization's reputation.

Develop and maintain a communications calendar to facilitate a strategic approach to dissemination.

Lead the coordination of the Weekly Briefing, the OACAS Bulletin, Annual Report and other communications that is distributed to member agencies.

Provide editorial expertise and guide/support various departments within OACAS in the distribution of member content through various communication channels.

Lead, edit and maintain content on the OACAS public website.

Support the development of executive office communications as required.

Media Relations:

Coordinate press conferences, media interviews, and responses to media inquiries.

Monitor media coverage and provide guidance, analysis, identifying opportunities, risks and providing recommendations and solutions.

Foster and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, media outlets, and other key stakeholders as required.

Provide media relations support to OACAS members, as required.

Responsible for managing all social media channels.

Events and Public Relations:

Collaborate on public events and campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. This includes campaigns and event initiatives such as Dress Purple Day, Child Youth in Care Day, and the Annual General Meeting.

Lead the coordination of provincial events and webinars such as the Child Welfare Leadership meetings, Ministry engagement webinars, etc.

Other Responsibilities:

Conducts environmental scans; identifies and analyzes emerging issues and their impact and develops, assesses and recommends possible solutions.

Analyzes and synthesizes data and information to determine its significance, impact and relevance to the Ontario child welfare sector and recommends how and to whom it should be communicated.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Post secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field;
• A minimum of five (5) years' of progressive experience in communications or media relations, with an emphasis on strategic communication, internal and member stakeholder relations, and digital change management in a child welfare, not-for-profit, or related environment; OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep expertise in communications theories, practices, and techniques, particularly within the not-for-profit sector.

• Exceptional written communication skills to write clear, concise professional documents including briefing notes, media statements, key messages, and correspondences.
• Demonstrated effective oral communication to facilitate presentations, focus groups, and webinars.
• Creative aptitude for developing messaging and strategies that support sector transformation initiatives.
• Outstanding interpersonal, listening, and collaboration abilities to foster strong working relationships with colleagues across departments, member agencies, and media representatives.
• Strong analytical and issues management skills to interpret and assess information, identify challenges and risks, recommend solutions, and create clear, actionable plans.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, maintaining professionalism and composure under pressure or during crises.
• Demonstrated proficiency in negotiation, with a track record of achieving favorable outcomes.
• Advanced proficiency in PC-based tools and commonly used communications and marketing software applications.

Assets:

• Child welfare experience
• Experience using Pardot, Word Press
• Bilingual English/French

Working Conditions

Work involves minimal physical or psychological risk, which could result from unavoidable exposure to dangerous situations or hazardous, disagreeable or uncomfortable working conditions.

APPLY ONLINE at

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=5504a194-52e8-4f07-ae3b-2acc61f702f0&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_CA

by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025. Please attach a cover letter and resume in one file.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. OACAS is committed to building a diverse workforce representative of the communities we serve. We encourage and are pleased to consider applications from all qualified candidates, without regard to race, colour, citizenship, religion, sex, marital / family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, indigenous status, age or disability.

Accommodation at OACAS

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Applicants are required to make any accommodation requests for the application, interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at [redacted] or [redacted].

Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the interview or selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.