Communications Specialist

Distress Centre Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation entitlement

RRSP matching

Health spending account

Extended health and dental

On-site gym access

Development days

Staff development fund

Mission-driven workplace

Job summary

Distress Centre Calgary is seeking a Communications & Marketing Strategist to lead editorial strategy, content planning, and campaigns that raise awareness of our programs and community impact. You will work with fundraising, donor engagement, and stakeholder communications, coordinating across teams to strengthen DCC’s visibility, reputation, and mission support.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or related field and 5–8 years of relevant experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or a related field is required.
• 5–8 years of experience in communications and marketing, including content marketing, media relations, and donor engagement.
• Experience developing and executing content marketing plans and campaigns; creating media releases and backgrounders; supporting fundraising campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop editorial strategy, content and campaign planning to build awareness of DCC's programs and community impact, including coordinating photography and video.
• Create and manage editorial content across channels to support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Plan and execute internal communications, templates and guides to strengthen organizational alignment with the DCC brand.
• Support media relations and stakeholder communications, including briefing materials, backgrounders, press releases and opinion pieces.
• Analyze and report on marketing and communications performance, and advise on trends and opportunities to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Content marketing

Media relations

Fundraising & donor engagement

Editorial strategy

Content planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or related field

Job description

This is a Full-Time position starting on November 2.

Location & Hours

Work location: On-site at Distress Centre Calgary (999 8 St SW, Suite 500).

Hours: Generally, Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with occasional evenings or weekends as required.

What We Offer

• Generous Vacation Entitlement
• RRSP matching and Health Spending Account
• Extended health and dental benefits
• Access to on-site gym (999 site) at no cost
• Paid development days and a staff development fund
• A supportive, mission-driven workplace where you can grow, take on new challenges, and collaborate with colleagues that value integrity, hard work, and make a meaningful community impact

Who We Are

For over 50 years, Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta by providing 24-hour crisis support, information, and resources at no cost. Distress Centre does not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.

We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace where employees are valued, experience a sense of belonging, and are confident in being their most authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and members of equity-deserving groups. We value all the ways that our community is diverse – in identity, experience and perspective.

What to Expect

The Communications & Marketing Strategist provides communications planning, content strategy, storytelling, stakeholder communications, and channel coordination to strengthen Distress Centre Calgary’s (DCC) visibility, engagement, reputation, and mission support. Reporting to the Senior Communications & Marketing Manager, you’ll work closely with Fund Development, People & Culture, and program teams to bring DCC’s story to life.

What You’ll Do

This list highlights core responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Additional related duties may arise over time and will be discussed and supported by your supervisor.

• Develop editorial strategy, content and campaign planning to build awareness and understanding of DCC's programs and community impact, including coordinating photography and video.
• Create and manage editorial content across channels to support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Plan and execute internal communications, templates and guides to strengthen organizational alignment and consistency with the DCC brand.
• Support media relations and stakeholder communications, including briefing materials, backgrounders, press releases and opinion pieces.
• Analyze and report on marketing and communications performance, and advise on trends and opportunities to drive continuous improvement.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 5 to 8 years of experience, including:
  • developing and executing content marketing plans and campaigns
  • creating media releases, information packages and backgrounders
  • supporting fundraising and donor engagement campaigns