Director of Communications

United Way Greater Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Life insurance

Disability benefits (short/long term)

EFAP (Employee and Family Assistance)

Generous paid time off

Hybrid work environment

Well-being programs

Career development opportunities

Job summary

United Way Greater Toronto seeks a Director of Communications to lead media relations, executive communications, and strategic public affairs. You will drive an enterprise-wide strategy, partner with senior leadership, and manage a four-person team to enhance brand, trust, and community impact.

You will advise on issues management, collaborate with marketing and donor experience teams, and champion equity-focused communications across the GTA.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of professional communications experience.
• Experience implementing strategic corporate communications.
• Knowledge of the charity/non-profit/social sector and equity issues.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team, and work with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations and executive communications for the CEO and executives.
• Develop and oversee enterprise-wide communications and PR strategy.
• Partner with marketing and donor experience teams on integrated campaigns.
• Provide strategic counsel on issues management and brand positioning.
• Influence public policy and public affairs initiatives with stakeholders.
• Monitor trends and research to guide data-driven messaging.
• Oversee an in-house communications team of 4 staff.
• Act as spokesperson as needed.

Skills

Media relations

Executive communications

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Digital & social channels

Thought leadership

Leadership/people management

Education

Post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing or political science

Tools

CRM/CRM tools

Job description

We are committed to pay transparency and equity. The hiring range for this role is $130,000-$140,000 annually.

United Way Greater Toronto is currently seeking a Director, Communications to join our team for an existing vacancy.

How you will make a difference:

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs & Research, the Director, Communications will lead and manage media relations, corporate, executive and key partner communications, and advise on issues management to position and advance United Way Greater Toronto's brand and mission to fight local poverty in all its forms through thought leadership and storytelling.

• Develop an annual business plan for the Communications team. Oversee the development and implementation of a cohesive, enterprise-wide communications and public relations strategy, including media relations, to inspire greater engagement and relevance with stakeholders
• Work in close partnership with the Senior Executive Team and Senior Management Team in developing communications plans to meet the needs of UWGT's business priorities, including stewarding thought leadership opportunities
• Oversee and direct all media relations, including responding to media inquiries, and proactively working to amplify work across the organization
• Partner with the Director of Marketing & Donor Experience to plan and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies
• Lead positioning, audience insights, and market research initiatives to inform communications, marketing, and reputation strategies, ensuring messaging is data-driven, audience-centered, and aligned with reaching brand goals.
• Use brand and market research, research insights, stakeholder feedback, and audience analysis to develop evidence-based communications and marketing strategies that enhance awareness, trust, and community impact
• Partner with the Director of Public Policy & Public Affairs to connect and amplify UWGT's strategic public affairs and policy efforts with a broader audience, building an understanding of UWGT's impact architecture and stance on specific issues related to poverty in the GTA
• Oversee executive communications and speechwriting for the CEO and select Executives
• Oversee and lead the Communications functions of UWGT's Reconciliation and Equity Action Plan
• Actively follow current events, trends, news media, related organizations, governments, companies and leaders to understand changing demographics, emerging issues, politics, opportunities and challenges facing the community sector to best leverage UWGT's impact.
• Identify public relations risks to the organization and serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams across the organization, providing a high standard of strategic counsel, communications planning, through to execution
• Cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including partners from multiple sectors, media, and employees to ensure the highest level of thought leadership, performance and results
• Contribute as a member of the cross-organization Senior Management Team and participate in cross-functional teams to help realize organizational strategies and plans
• Serve as spokesperson to support areas noted above, as needed
• Manage, mentor, and develop a 4-person team using a supportive and collaborative approach
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality

What you bring to the role:

• 7-10 years of professional communications experience, including a successful track record of implementing strategic and corporate communications strategies, best practices and approaches, preferably in a charity, non-profit and/or social sector environment
• Possess political acumen and thought leadership to seize communications opportunities on UWGT priority issues in a variety of media
• A love of community, with a passion for creating positive change aligned to our mission
• Willingness to actively lead the implementation of UWGT's Reconciliation and Equity Framework, and translate anti-oppressive, and anti-racist learnings into action internally and externally
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting the community social services sector and a strong understanding of how systemic racism and discrimination impact community and the priorities related to United Way Greater Toronto's mission
• Experience managing and working with external and internal stakeholders, including understanding of and relationships with media, government, community, public, corporate and labour sectors
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate staff and work collaboratively in an inclusive and collaborative team environment
• Demonstrated experience working directly with CEO and/or Executive leaders in support of communications and public relations strategies
• Strong strategic and practical knowledge of the digital/social communications channels and their use within the context of an overall communications strategy and day-to-day public relations practice
• Excellent judgment, discretion, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, meet deadlines, problem solve in stressful situations and drive collaboration across multiple areas of the organization
• Detail- and process- oriented with a big-picture/strategic view
• Post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing or political science preferred. Related fields will be considered
• Minimum requirement of 3 days in office and ability to travel across the GTA

Being part of our team:

• Defined benefit employer-matching pension
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Employee and family assistance program (EFAP)
• Generous paid time-off package including vacation, personal and cultural days, summer hours and hybrid work environment
• Commitment to the well-being and work-life balance for our employees
• Collaborative, high-performing, team focused on long-term and collective success
• Largest United Way world-wide
• Work with the GTA’s top philanthropic leaders

As part of our recruitment process, United Way Greater Toronto offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities. If we contact you about an opportunity, please let us know if you require accommodation.

UWGT is committed to the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). While we currently do not use AI for decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects, we may use analytics or automation tools to improve donor engagement, personalize experiences, or optimize internal processes.

As per our recruitment policy, internal candidates are encouraged to let their current manager know that they have applied for another role.

About United Way Greater Toronto:

As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way’s network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way’s work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges.

Diversity & Inclusion:

United Way is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects our diverse community to ensure we’re best equipped to serve it. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and those who may need accommodation to apply to join our team. Our commitment to excellence in diversity goes beyond promoting equity. By incorporating a variety of experiences and perspectives, we create opportunities for innovative solutions and maximize the impact of our work.

Learn more about our work at unitedwaygt.org.