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Program: Marketing and Communications

Status: Full-time, Contract (August 2023 – September 2024)

Hours: 36.25 hours / week

Date Posted: June 1, 2023

Closing Date: June 16, 2023

About Surrey Place

Surrey Place is a not-for-profit that serves people of all ages with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairments in the Toronto region and Northwestern Ontario. We offer integrated services and inclusive support in a safe and welcoming environment. Our approach is family-based, which centres the interests and care of our clients, families and caregivers by teaching them skills. We strive to ensure the greatest access to services and support our clients in navigating the health care system. Surrey Place helps people learn new skills, gain self-confidence and reach their full potential.

Position Description

Surrey Place is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist. The successful applicant will report to the Director, Marketing & Communications. This position will work in an integrated Marketing & Communications department and support the organization’s external and internal communications. This position will also be responsible for advancing the social media and email marketing strategy, as well as the internal communications program, which includes quarterly town halls, monthly internal newsletters, and announcements.

Main Responsibilities

Communications Strategy and Planning:

• Consult with various stakeholders to determine their communications needs and translate their desired outcomes into plans and strategies.
• Use a strategic communications lens to identify new opportunities to elevate Surrey Place’s profile and priorities.
• Manage communications requests from internal stakeholders and makes strategic recommendations to achieve the intended results.

External Communications:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction of the organization’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn).
• Identify and develop earned media relations opportunities that build and enhance Surrey Place’s reputation and advocacy to support key organizational objectives.
• Act as the primary media contact, and direct questions and coordinate interviews for spokespeople. Create media materials, including talking points, media releases, and backgrounders.
• Identify issues, as they arise, and take the lead on issues management to ensure that Surrey Place can respond in a timely manner.
• Plan, write and edit content for a variety of external communications including, but not limited to, annual reports, strategic and operational plans, news articles and stakeholder communication.
• Support government relations efforts as it relates to organizational strategic priorities.

Internal Communications:

• Plan, write and edit content for a variety of internal communications including, but not limited to, Executive and Senior Leadership communications, monthly newsletters, town halls, announcements, and special events.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to support internal communications and employee engagement.
• Oversee the organization’s Microsoft Team Site, including content management.
• Oversee and organize quarterly town hall meetings.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in public relations, communications, or journalism.
• Five years’ related strategic and operational experience in communications and public relations.
• Demonstrated accomplishments related to development and management of strategic communications planning and implementation, with performance metrics.
• Demonstrated success in profile building, reputation and brand management, issues management, and the creation of innovative, successful communication and brand strategies.
• Direct experience in producing a variety of communication vehicles aimed at various internal and external audiences.
• Experience in media relations, social media, internal communication, research and analytic tools.
• Proven strong writing skills and demonstrated highly developed oral communications, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven tact, diplomacy and discretion related to confidential or sensitive information.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills, ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment while paying close attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• The successful candidate must provide an acceptable Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector Screening) and proof of being fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
• Fluency in French is considered an asset.

Surrey Place is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from diverse groups are encouraged to apply. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation appropriate arrangements will be made to assist you through this process. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.