Communications & Public Relations Lead

Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking agency dedicated to strengthening Indigenous families through innovative programs. As the Communications & Public Relations Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the agency's public image while crafting compelling content and managing social media platforms. This challenging position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including extended health and dental, a public service pension plan, and opportunities for cultural teachings. If you have a passion for communication and a commitment to Indigenous values, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a meaningful impact.

Benefits

Extended Health and Dental

Group Life and AD&D

Employee and Family Assistance Program

4 weeks of vacation

100% employer-paid premiums

Public Service Pension Plan

Access to Staff Support Counselor

Access to Indigenous Cultural Teachings

Qualifications

• 5+ years in communications/public relations with progressive responsibility.
• Experience in marketing planning and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and plans.
• Manage social media platforms and coordinate activities.
• Handle media inquiries and ensure consistent messaging.

Skills

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Creative Writing

Public Relations Principles

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations

Specialized Training in Communication

Tools

MS Office Suite

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop

WordPress

Video and Digital Technology

Job description

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Communications & Public Relations Lead

Position: Communications & Public Relations Lead

Status: Permanent full-time; Excluded

Department: Infrastructure

Location: 745 Clark Drive, Vancouver BC

Salary: $90,797.03 to $103,685.14 per annum

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday

Posted: April 30, 2025

Closing: Closing May 15, 2025 or until filled

At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Indigenous children and families are upheld, honored, and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination, and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honor the inherent wisdom, capacity, and resourcefulness of our community in designing programs and services to care for our own children and families. Accordingly, we are dedicated to planning, developing, and implementing creative and innovative Indigenous programs and services in collaboration with members of our community and other agencies.

• Join an Agency that strives to provide services to strengthen Indigenous families culturally and spiritually!
• Take on a challenging role that requires strategic and creative vision!
• Receive a competitive salary of $90,797.03 to $103,685.14 annually PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!

The Communications and Public Relations Lead is an intermediate to senior level communication professional responsible for maintaining effective communication strategies and plays an important role in enhancing the organization's public image. This role involves crafting compelling content, managing social media platforms, and coordinating various activities. This position will develop and implement internal and external communication plans with a strong focus on writing, editing and content development for digital media, public relations, marketing, advertising, and online community engagement. The role is responsible for handling media inquiries as outlined by policy and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging. The duties include:

• Planning, developing, implementing communication strategies, plans, objectives, methods and procedures for VACFSS ensuring Indigenous style is incorporated in all materials.
• Providing consultation in all aspects of communication to advance strategic priorities while maintaining and strengthening the agency’s reputation with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for internal and external communication as well as communication risks.
• Working with Human Resources to recruit and select a co-op student for the department. Oversees the co-op student and communications and public relations assistant providing training, coaching, consultation and performance reviews.
• Supporting, coordinating and planning the Annual General Meeting including meeting logistics and preparation of all materials for the Board, staff and members.
• Utilizing various software, editing materials to produce all communication materials including promotional, social media, posters, presentation, photography etc.
• Monitoring all social media channels and websites to ensure integrity is maintained and notifying IT on any security breaches.
• Researching using data and key insights to make decisions to stay current and well informed.

This position requires a high degree of relational engagement and support based on the Indigenous culture core competencies and the values of respect, strength-based practice, humility, integrity, belonging. Communication and support work occurs within a governance context at the highest level of the organization. The role requires practical and specialist knowledge of theories and principles of communication processes and procedures to respond to internal and external stakeholders accordingly.

The ideal candidate possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong focus on writing, editing content, a creative mindset, and a strong grasp of communication and public relations principles to generate community awareness of our agency and the services available. This position requires frequent interaction with staff at all levels throughout the agency, and strong interpersonal and organizational skills to effectively prioritize and manage time-sensitive assignments.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the Director of Human Resources, IT & Communications in carrying out the mission and mandate of the agency, consistent with the qualifications and experience for this position. A comprehensive position profile will be available to candidates shortlisted for the position.

INDIGENOUS CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Relational Engagement
• Leadership
• Collaborative Planning & Decision Making
• Emotional Competency
• Resilience
• Cultural, Spiritual Expression

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in a related field such Public Relations, Journalism, Communication or Marketing (supplemented by specialized training or coursework).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a communications/public relations field with progressive responsibility.
• Public Relations Management and Administration training.
• Leadership and supervisory experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in Marketing Planning.
• Policy Development plus (experience with the governance Carver Model would be a definite asset).
• Graphic Design and Multimedia knowledge.
• A working knowledge of professional grant writing.
• Knowledge and experience in any of the following: MS Office, Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, E-mail, Desktop Publishing, Player, WordPress, Video and Digital Technology, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Journalism and/or Creative Writing would be an asset.
• Experience with change management and engagement would be an asset.
• Criminal Record Check
• Valid BC Driver’s Licence and access to safe, reliable vehicle

BENEFITS:

• Extended health and dental
• Group life and AD&D
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• 100% employer-paid premiums
• 4 weeks of vacation (starting)
• Public Service Pension Plan
• Access to VACFSS’ Staff Support Counselor
• Access to Indigenous Cultural Teachings as coordinated by the Agency

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Preference may be given to qualified Indigenous Candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.

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