The Kettle Society supports people with mental illness to lead healthier lives by providing support services, advocacy, employment, and mentoring and housing. We work to raise awareness of mental health issues, break down stigma and reduce barriers for people with mental illness. Our goal is to promote the inclusion of people living with mental illness in all aspects of society.

Communications Specialist - Full Time (exempt, non -union)

The Communications Specialist is a skilled narrator with a passion for mental health, homelessness, and housing advocacy. 

Job Summary:

In addition to being a skilled narrator with a passion for mental health, homelessness, and housing advocacy, the Communication Specialist oversees the daily operations of the communications function at The Kettle by planning, executing, and managing a variety of internal and external communication and engagement activities.  Their work inspires and drives engagement, builds awareness, and supports The Kettle Society's mission by fostering confidence and trust in the organization.

 The Communications Specialist creates high-quality written, visual, and digital content while maintaining ethical storytelling practices to develop and implement communication and outreach strategies, manage the organization’s social media, and support media relations and events.

Organization:

The Kettle Friendship Society

Address: 

1784 E. Hastings, Vancouver, BC V5L 1S9

Status:

Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

Days/Times:

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm. Some evenings and weekends. Some flexibility with schedule.

Salary & Compensation: 

$63,340,00 to $71,257.50 yearly depending on experience. We offer a comprehensive employer-paid benefit plan including Extended Medical and Dental coverage, and a Municipal Pension Plan (MPP).

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

Diploma in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field. Minimum 3 years of experience and proven work in communications or marketing field roles. Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License. Comfortable delivering presentations, and reports on Development matters. Experience managing social media for medium-size organizations. Experience with media relations. Experience organizing and coordinating events. Experience in non-profit or advocacy settings. Current and up-to-date certifications in CPR, Occupational Basic First Aid (OFA) Level 1, Mental Health First Aid, WHMIS, and Naloxone training.

Duties:

Donor & Campaign Communications Management

  • Develop and manage communication strategies and plans to build external awareness and maintain The Kettle’s exceptional reputation.

  • Make sure to fulfill all requirements and commitments related to reporting and recognition for funders and donors.

  • Manage donor communications and strategy to ensure alignment with The Kettle Society’s mission and goals. 

  • Create and oversee campaign strategies for two annual campaigns, including planning, execution, and evaluation.

 Content Development

  • Build and maintain strong relationships across all Kettle sites by engaging with the team and developing collateral materials, including photographs and stories.

  • Write, design, and produce compelling communication materials such as donor engagement emails, newsletters, impact reports, and social media content.

  • Ensure all content is accurate, timely, and aligned with Kettle’s goals and values.

  • Create and maintain a social media calendar to ensure consistent and engaging posts across platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

  • Regularly update the website with relevant and accurate content, collaborating with program teams to obtain the latest information.

Impact Reporting & Advocacy

  • Collaborate with managers from various sites and programs to collect and organize impact statistics.

  • Create narratives that align with The Kettle Society’s mission, ensuring ethical practices and preserving the dignity of individuals sharing their personal experiences.

  • Write and edit content that clearly communicates complex concepts, data, and the organization’s overall impact.

 Brand Management

  • Oversee the development and design of The Kettle’s Annual Impact Report.

  • Maintain standardized branding materials, including logos, templates, graphics, and photo banks, ensuring consistency across the organization and all communication channels.

  • Create visually appealing print and digital materials, such as brochures, reports, and social media graphics.

 Internal Communications Management

  • Enhance communication within The Kettle by creating internal briefings, memos, and informational updates. 

  • Assist the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in delivering important messages and updates to all staff.

 Media Relations Management & Crisis Communications

  • Assist the SLT with media-related activities, including drafting press releases, responding to media inquiries, and building relationships with various media outlets.

  • Establish and maintain connections with local, provincial, and national media as necessary.

  • Monitor relevant news coverage on issues related to housing, mental health, and homelessness to inform strategies and content. Assess the impact of media coverage and evaluate the effectiveness of The Kettle’s media outreach efforts.

  • Manage communication efforts during crises by monitoring social media and media coverage to identify and flag potential risks. Collaborate with media consultants as needed, support the team by maintaining and updating templates, drafting internal updates, and reviewing communications prepared for the media to ensure consistency and alignment.

 Cross-Functional Support

  • Collaborate with the Philanthropy, Strategic Partnerships & Communications team on donor stewardship and philanthropy campaigns. Assist in developing project-specific communication plans that outline goals, key messages, strategies, and tactics.

 Finance

  • Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy, Strategic Partnerships, and Communications to develop and manage an annual communications budget of approximately $30,000.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong ethical standards.

  • Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for various platforms and audiences.

  • Maintain clear and concise communication across all platforms.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Canva, MailChimp, and website management tools like WordPress and Squarespace.

  • Ability to create visually appealing content that effectively communicates the intended message.

  • Solid grasp of branding and the principles of ethical narrating.

  • Well-organized and able to manage competing priorities to meet deadlines effectively.

  • Understanding of local contexts concerning mental health, homelessness, and housing issues.

  • Strong competence in working in a multi-functional team environment with the ability to quickly foster effective working relationships with managers, employees, donors, and other external and internal contacts.

  • Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Why The Kettle?

We offer competitive wages, a comprehensive employer-paid benefit plan for full-time and part-time staff including Extended Medical and Dental coverage, and to those who are eligible, the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) 

About:

The Kettle Society supports people with mental illness to lead healthier lives by providing support services, advocacy, employment, mentoring and housing. We work to raise awareness of mental health issues, break down stigma and reduce barriers for people with mental illness. Our goal is to promote inclusion of people living with mental illness in all aspects of society.

This position requires an updated cover letter further expressing your skills and interest in the position.

Please be patient as we navigate through the applications. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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