Exec. Director, Strategic Storytelling & Comm

Kids Help Phone; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity focused on youth mental health is seeking an Executive Director for Strategic Storytelling & Communications. This role involves shaping narratives, managing communications strategies, and leading a team to enhance the organization's impact. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in communications and a passion for youth advocacy.

Benefits

Emergency Travel Assistance

Wellness programs

Recognition awards

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Qualifications

• 8+ years in communications, with 2 years in senior leadership.
• Deep understanding of strategic communications.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategy for external communications and media relations.
• Manage internal communications and editorial governance.
• Lead and mentor the communications team.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Content Development

Media Relations

Crisis Communications

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations

Bachelor's degree in Journalism

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Job description

Executive Director Strategic Storytelling & Communications

Department

Brand, Storytelling & Communications

Reports to

Group Head & EVP, Brand, Storytelling and Communications

Salary range

125,000 to $145,000

Job type

Full-Time, Permanent, Hybrid working 3 days per week

Location

Posting period

2025-05-02

Is This You?

Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of young people? Are you a proven builder, connector, and storyteller? As the Executive Director of Strategic Storytelling & Communications, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to amplify our message and drive meaningful change.

This role demands executive-level poise and hands-on involvement, requiring you to craft compelling materials, influence and coordinate across teams, and build innovative processes from the ground up. You will be a collaborative leader, working to shape the narrative around youth mental health across multiple audiences (staff, caring adults, and youth) and multiple aspects (clinical services, innovation, and data) while fostering a supportive and engaging environment for colleagues.

If you possess strategic vision and operational expertise in equal measure, you'll thrive in our dynamic, purpose-driven team dedicated to transforming youth mental health!

The responsibilities

External Communications :

• Thought Leadership : Drive strategy, operations and reporting to raise KHP's profile through data-driven, innovative storytelling.
• Media Relations : Build media relationships, prep spokespeople, manage media outreach, and track results.
• Crisis Communications : Lead responses and develop proactive crisis communication plans.
• Influencer Relations : Create and oversee an influencer engagement strategy.

Internal Communications :

• Optimize internal comms in collaboration with People & Culture and the CEO's office.
• Manage editorial governance to ensure clear and consistent messaging.
• Help plan internal events (e.g., Town Halls) and CEO presentation materials.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across departments (marketing, fundraising, innovation, etc.).
• Support board reporting, organizational updates, and strategic documents.
• Lead and mentor the comms team, supporting skill development and wellness.

Administration, Budgeting, Metrics & Reporting :

• Manage comms-related budgets and metrics.
• Lead ROI analysis, process documentation, and efficiency improvements.
• Develop reports for stakeholder groups with meaningful analysis and recommendations

Qualifications :

• 8+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field
• Deep understanding of strategic communications across external (media, social media, PR, influencer) and internal (staff engagement, executive messaging) channels.
• Proven experience with media relations, crisis communications, and editorial governance.
• Strong awareness of youth mental health issues and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills tailored for multiple audiences.
• Strong leadership in team mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Skilled in project and budget management, with the ability to juggle multiple high-impact initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment, executive-level poise, and the ability to navigate complexity.
• Data-informed mindset, able to set KPIs and measure communications impact.
• Trusted advisor to senior leaders, capable of offering clear counsel and leading high-stakes communications.

Don't meet every qualification listed? Studies often report equity-deserving people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every requirement. KHP is dedicated to building a more diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't align with every qualification, we welcome you to apply anyway. You may have the qualifications / experience for this role or other opportunities at KHP!

The application process

To apply for this opportunity, you can tap the "Apply" button on this page and follow the on-screen instructions.

About KHP, Canada's Unlock The Hope Youth Charity

KHP is Canada's first and only free, multilingual and confidential e-mental health service that's always open, offering youth from coast to coast-to-coast support and a non-judgmental space to Feel Out Loud. Since 1989, KHP has been the empowering, trusted changemaker that helps give young people's feelings a place to go through unparalleled e-mental health solutions. With innovation in our DNA, KHP integrates data, technology, clinical expertise and more to help deliver a personalized well-being experience for all youth, so they can thrive in their world, no matter where life takes them. For more information and opportunities to help young people let their feelings out, you can visit KidsHelpPhone.ca.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

We are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion, empowering all employees and service users. We strive to ensure that our services and environment are reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace differences in race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability, and we are dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of these differences.

Accommodations

KHP welcomes applications from people living with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during any phase of the application / hiring process. If you're contacted about an opportunity, you can reply and let us know if you require accommodations at any time.

Compensation and benefits

Salaries at KHP are determined by candidate experience, qualifications and specific skill sets, as well as market and operational considerations. Potential additional benefits at KHP include :

• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Wellness programs
• Recognition awards
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Candidate verification

The successful candidate for this opportunity will be asked to complete a background screen, which may include criminal, credit, employment and educational checks. All offers of employment are conditional on the receipt of satisfactory results of any applicable check.

Privacy

KHP cares about your privacy! We're required to save select information about opportunities, applications and interviews for set periods of time. To learn more, you can explore KHP's Privacy Policy or contact us using our general form.

Message to agencies

We do not accept unsolicited telephone calls, referrals, or resumes from agencies. Any unsolicited submissions will be considered gratuitous, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral or other fees.

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