Lead - Strategic Communication and Development

Phoenix Drug & Alcohol Recovery and Education Society; Surrey; On-site; CAD 94,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Society, based in Surrey, BC, seeks a Lead - Strategic Communication and Development to drive external communications, fund development, and strategic partnerships. The role collaborates with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to advance growth, sustainability and impact across health, housing, recovery and community services.

The position leads media relations, fundraising campaigns, and strategic advisory work while shaping organizational storytelling and government relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, business, marketing, fundraising, public administration or related field; equivalent education and senior-level experience may be considered.
• Minimum seven to ten years progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, fund development, government relations, partnership development or business development.
• Experience writing grants, RFPs, business cases, funding proposals and executive materials.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising or partnership strategies with measurable results.
• Experience in media relations and executive communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate external communications strategy aligned with Phoenix’s strategic plan.
• Provide strategic communications advice to the CEO, ELT and Board on issues management and public positioning.
• Lead media relations, prepare messages, press materials and speeches.
• Oversee storytelling, publications, website content and brand standards.
• Lead crisis communications and coordinate timely responses to issues.
• Support government relations, advocacy and public policy communications.
• Identify strategic growth opportunities and lead funding submissions and bids.
• Develop business cases for new programs and partnerships.
• Coordinate cross-functional proposal teams for high-quality submissions.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, business, marketing, fundraising, public administration

Tools

Microsoft 365

CRM systems

Content management systems (CMS)

Digital communications platforms

Job description

Title: Lead - Strategic Communication and Development

Location: Surrey, BC

Status: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Supervises: Communications staff as assigned

Salary Range
$94,204.50 to $114,133.50

Typical Hiring Range
$94,204.50 to $104,188.50

In determining salary, Phoenix considers many factors including the successful candidate’s skillset and experience as well as internal equity. The final salary offer will be at Phoenix’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Lead - Strategic Communication and Development provides strategic leadership for Phoenix Society’s external communications, fund development, organizational growth and strategic partnerships. The position advances Phoenix’s priorities by leading communications and public affairs, securing new funding opportunities, developing business cases and proposals, strengthening philanthropic relationships, and positioning Phoenix as a leader in integrated health, housing, recovery and community services.

Working closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, the Lead identifies opportunities for growth, develops compelling funding submissions, leads strategic communications and media relations, and builds partnerships that support innovation, sustainability and impact across British Columbia.

In summary, the role is responsible for:

• Strategic communication
• Providing strategic advice to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Organizational reputation and public positioning.
• Driving growth through RFPs, business cases, partnerships and philanthropy.
• Representing Phoenix externally with government, health authorities, foundations and corporate stakeholders.
• Organization-wide influence and impacts revenue, sustainability and strategic direction

THE OPPORTUNITY

Strategic Communications & Public Affairs

• Develop, implement and evaluate Phoenix Society’s external communications strategy in alignment with the strategic plan.
• Provide strategic communications advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board, including issues management, reputation risk and public positioning.
• Lead media relations and prepare key messages, news releases, public statements, op-eds, speeches, presentations and briefing materials.
• Oversee organizational storytelling, publications, annual reports, website content, social media, digital communications and brand standards.
• Lead crisis communications and coordinate timely, accurate and values-aligned responses to emerging issues.
• Support government relations, advocacy and public policy communications.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Identify and assess strategic growth opportunities aligned with Phoenix Society’s mission, mandate and strategic priorities.
• Lead the preparation of Requests for Proposals, Expressions of Interest, government funding submissions and competitive bids.
• Develop business cases for new programs, service expansions, capital projects and innovative models of care.
• Coordinate cross-functional proposal teams and integrate program, finance, operations, evaluation and partnership input into high-quality submissions.
• Conduct environmental scans and monitor policy, funding and sector trends that may create opportunities or risks for Phoenix.
• Support partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding and related negotiations in collaboration with the CEO and appropriate leaders.

Fund Development & Philanthropy

• Develop and implement an annual and multi-year fund development and philanthropy strategy in consultation with the CEO and Board.
• Research, write and manage grant applications and reports for government, foundations, corporations and other funders.
• Build and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, sponsors and prospective supporters.
• Develop donor engagement, stewardship, recognition and impact-reporting strategies.
• Lead or support annual giving, major gift, capital and special fundraising campaigns.
• Accountable for achieving annual fundraising, grant acquisition, partnership development and communications objectives as established through organizational planning processes.
• Maintain effective donor and funding systems, records, pipelines, calendars and performance reporting.
• Develop and manage communications budgets and monitor expenditures within approved limits.

Strategic Partnerships & External Relations

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with health authorities, governments, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, academic institutions, community providers, foundations and corporate partners.
• Identify collaborative funding, service delivery, research and innovation opportunities.
• Represent Phoenix Society at external tables, events, working groups and partnership meetings as delegated by the CEO.
• Cultivate relationships that strengthen integrated models of care and expand Phoenix’s reach and impact.
• Maintain a strategic stakeholder map and partnership pipeline, with clear priorities and follow-up.

Executive & Organizational Strategy

• Serve as a strategic writer and thought partner to the CEO.
• Prepare Board reports, executive briefings, government correspondence, presentations and strategic planning materials.
• Acts as a senior strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on communications, external relations, funding opportunities, organizational growth and stakeholder engagement.
• Support organizational planning, priority-setting and the development of new initiatives.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to communications, funding, partnerships and business development.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO and Board on progress, emerging opportunities, risks and results.
• Undertake other strategic duties consistent with the scope and seniority of the role.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, business, marketing, fundraising, public administration or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and senior-level experience may be considered.
• Minimum seven to ten years progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, fund development, government relations, partnership development or business development, including experience advising senior executives and leading complex organizational initiatives, preferably in the non-profit, health, housing or social services sector.
• Demonstrated success writing complex grants, RFP responses, business cases, funding proposals and executive-level materials.
• Experience developing and implementing communications, fundraising or partnership strategies with measurable results.
• Experience in media relations, issues management and executive communications.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating funders, donors, government partners and senior external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of philanthropic practices, donor stewardship and relevant Canada Revenue Agency requirements is an asset.

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive and audience-focused materials.
• Strategic judgment, political acuity and discretion when managing sensitive, confidential or high-profile matters.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage diverse partners, funders, donors, executives, community members and people with lived and living experience.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex deadlines and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently while leading collaborative, cross-functional processes.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess opportunities, synthesize evidence and develop compelling cases for investment.
• High level of integrity, accountability, initiative, adaptability and results orientation.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, reconciliation, and mission of Phoenix Society.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, donor or customer relationship management systems, content management systems and digital communications platforms.

Other

• Satisfactory completion of a criminal records checks with vulnerable sector screening.
• Standard First Aid - with CPR-C-AED certificate (Valid).
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training certificate preferred.Satisfactory completion of Employee Immunization Record form is required.

NOTE

• Application deadline is Sunday, October 4, 2026.
• We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those applicants who have been given consideration for an interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.
• Phoenix Society is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.