About the Role
Save the Children Canada (SCC) is seeking a Director, Brand, Communications & Influence to lead the Marketing & Communications team. This role is pivotal in shaping SCC's strategic communications and public relations to elevate its mission, strengthen its reputation, and expand its positive impact. The position involves overseeing brand strategies, media outreach, content creation, and PR campaigns to foster awareness, engagement, and support for Save the Children's mission.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement comprehensive brand strategies aligned with SCC's vision and goals.
- Conduct market research to understand consumer behavior and industry trends.
- Monitor and analyze brand performance metrics.
- Plan and execute multi-channel brand campaigns to enhance visibility and engagement.
- Lead team collaboration to develop compelling campaign content.
- Track campaign performance and ROI, providing insights and recommendations.
- Lead the development and management of influencer partnerships.
- Identify, engage, and monitor activities with key influencers.
- Measure influencer activities and their impact on brand awareness and reputation.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of the organization's website, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
- Implement SEO strategies to improve website visibility and organic search rankings.
- Analyze website traffic and user behavior to optimize content and improve user experience.
- Lead the development and execution of media strategies to enhance SCC's public profile and reputation.
- Build and maintain relationships with key media outlets and journalists.
- Monitor media coverage and respond to inquiries, ensuring accurate and positive brand representation.
- Collaborate and align with Save the Children International (SCI).
- Oversee the creation of media products, including op-eds, press releases, and key messages.
- Ensure all media products align with SCC's communication strategy and voice.
- Review and approve media content before distribution.
- Lead the development and implementation of public relation (PR) strategies to manage SCC's image and reputation.
- Oversee PR activities, including events, press conferences, and media briefings.
- Monitor public perception and address any issues or crises that arise.
- Lead the planning and execution of various campaigns to engage the public and promote the SCC brand.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure campaign objectives are met.
- Monitor campaign performance and share insights.
- Create reports to leadership.
- Lead the creation of integrated communication strategies encompassing all aspects of SCC's mission-driven messaging in alignment with SCI.
- Ensure consistency and coherence across all communication channels, including internal and external communications.
- Review and approve all communication products, including newsletters, reports, and marketing materials.
- Monitor content performance to ensure products meet quality standards and align with SCC's communication strategy.
- Provide guidance to staff, leaders, and vendors.
- Lead the development and implementation of crisis communication plans.
- Lead crisis response efforts, including media relations and stakeholder communication.
- Monitor and evaluate crisis strategies.
- Support the CEO’s office in developing and delivering strategic communications.
- Ensure the CEO's messaging aligns with SCC's overall communication strategy.
- Prepare and/or review CEO speeches, presentations, and other communication materials.
- Lead the strategic planning process, setting goals and objectives for the assigned portfolio.
- Coordinate strategies with other teams and with SCI to ensure alignment and execution.
- Develop and manage budgets for brand, communications, and PR activities.
- Provide financial reports and insights to support decision-making.
- Prepare and present reports on brand, communications, and PR activities to leadership.
- Analyze performance metrics and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Ensure transparency and accountability in all reporting processes.
- Lead the assigned team/department providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance management.
- Set clear team and individual performance expectations for productivity, quality, and success.
- Oversee budget management, recruitment, change management, and career development.
- Ensure compliance, foster a respectful, values-driven culture, and maintain a safe and inclusive workplace.
- Ensure regular and transparent communication on strategy and policies.
- Uphold SCC’s Code of Conduct, Policies, Leadership Charter, Reconciliation, Equity, Anti-Racism, Diversity, Inclusion (READI), Health and Safety standards.
- Integrate Child Safeguarding practices, model competencies, and professional and ethical behavior.
Requirements
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 5-7 years of management experience leading marketing and communications.
- Experience in International Development, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO/INGO), or other not-for-profit sectors is preferred.
- People management experience in a unionized environment is preferred.
- Exceptional ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for diverse audiences and channels.
- Experience in developing and maintaining brand voice, tone, and messaging consistency across all platforms.
- Expertise in drafting internal and external communications, including newsletters, memos, and crisis responses.
- Advanced communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills for diverse audiences to build strong working relationships across cultural and organizational settings, both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated project management experience for task execution of assigned objectives supported by proficiency with MS Office tools and relevant technologies.
- Ability to work under pressure within tight timelines to achieve SCC objectives.
- Displays analytical and problem-solving skills to support initiatives with demonstrated adaptability to support change management for successful task implementation.
- Applies judgment and make sound decisions that are accountable, justifiable, and in adherence to policies and procedures.
- Considers organizational strategy and thinks creatively to support innovative initiatives and collaborations that deliver benefits for the children and families served.
- Ability to occasionally travel locally, nationally and internationally (less than 10%) as required.
Skills
- Brand strategy development and implementation
- Market research
- Brand performance analysis
- Multi-channel campaign execution
- Content creation
- Influencer marketing
- Website management
- SEO strategy
- Media relations
- Public relations
- Crisis communication
- Integrated communication strategy
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Performance reporting
- People management
- Coaching
- Performance management
- Recruitment
- Change management
- Career development
- French/Spanish/Arabic language skills (asset)
Location
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Work Type
- Hybrid
- Contract (14 months)
- Maternity leave replacement
Experience Level
- 5-7 years management experience
Education Level
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field or equivalent experience
Salary/Compensations
- $98,594.73 - $116,449.57 CAD
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package for employee and dependents (available three months after start date)
- Coordinated benefits for partner paid by Save the Children Canada
- Hybrid workplace with remote opportunities and flexible work hours
- 4 weeks of annual paid vacation
- End of year office closure (December 25 - January 1)
- 5 paid personal days
- 3 paid float days
- 10 paid sick leave days
- Parental leave top-up
- Employer contributions to group pension plan
- Access to save for a first home through pension provider
- Learning and development opportunities and specialized training
- Professional development time
- Confidential Employee Assistance Program services
- Organization-wide membership access to Headspace
About the Company
- Save the Children believes every child has the right to a future.
- In Canada and around the world, Save the Children does whatever it takes to support children to fulfill their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.
- With over 100 years of experience, Save the Children is the world’s first and leading independent children’s organization – transforming lives and the future we share.
Equal Opportunity
- Save the Children Canada is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’).
- Providing an accessible and barrier-free environment is a shared effort, and as an organization, SCC is committed to working with the necessary parties to make accessibility for all a reality.
- If you require an accommodation during any stage of the recruitment or employment process, please notify People & Culture at peopleandculture@savethechildren.ca.
