Manager, Communications

RiseMe; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Canadian Cancer Society is seeking a Mission Communications Manager to develop strategies and tools that advance awareness of our mission to external audiences. You will report to the Senior Communications Manager and help shape communications for advocacy, health policy, prevention and support services.

You will write and edit diverse materials, manage a strong team, and coordinate with stakeholders to drive nationwide mission plans, delivering clear, impactful narratives across campaigns.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, journalism or related field and 5+ years of experience in communications
• Experience in managing communications and public relations strategies and tactics, including working with media
• Excellent synthesis and writing skills and ability to communicate complex topics and strategic initiatives for a variety of audiences and channels
• Strong editing skills and attention to detail
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative where required

Responsibilities

• Develop communications plans and tools aligned with overall mission and organizational priorities to drive awareness, engagement and revenue.
• With the support of the Senior Communications Manager, develop strategies to increase exposure of CCS's impact in advocacy, health policy, prevention, cancer information and support services.
• Working with the Communications Specialist and Advocacy Communications Specialist, write, edit and deploy a variety of engaging communications materials such as news releases, key messages, Q&As, pitch notes, speeches, presentations and more.
• Manage and develop a high-performing mission communications team, fostering a positive, collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
• Identify opportunities to embed CCS's leadership in advocacy, prevention and support across communications activities, emphasizing outcomes and innovations.
• Strengthen familiarity, relevance and trust in CCS, unifying mission need and donor impact through cohesive narratives.
• Cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to coordinate communications efforts to support implementation of nationwide mission plans.
• Identify and respond to emerging issues related to advocacy, health policy, prevention or cancer information and support services portfolios, providing counsel and pursuing proactive opportunities to elevate CCS's voice.
• Assess communications performance by monitoring progress, achievements and gaps, and adjusting strategies based on data and insights.
• Champion audience-centric, plain-language content that connects emotionally and intellectually to drive engagement
• Provide ad-hoc support for Research Communications team as needed.
• Foster a high-performance culture that leverages the unique talents and strengths of each member while encouraging their growth and development.
• Champion CCS as a hero in the face of cancer.

Skills

Public relations

Communications strategy

Writing skills

Editing skills

Independent judgment

Education

Communications degree

Job description

Job Title:Manager, Communications

Vacancies:This posting is for (1) current vacancy

Location:Toronto, ON | Vancouver, BC | Ottawa, ON | Calgary, AB | Halifax, NS | St John's, NL | Kelowna, BC| Prince George, BC | Montreal, QC | Québec, QC (Detailed office location information can be found by visiting this link: https://cancer.ca/en/contact-us)

Work Model: Hybrid Work

Salary Band: 6 ($65,000 - $75,000 CAD)

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF CANCER CARE IN CANADA

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save lives, improve lives and drive collective action against cancer. Together with patients, volunteers, donors and communities across the country, we raise funds to invest in transformative cancer research, we provide a caring support system for everyone affected by cancer and we advocate to governments to create a healthier future for all. It takes a society to take on cancer - and the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the way

MAKING AN IMPACT
As a member of the Communications team at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), the Mission Communications Manager is primarily responsible for developing communications strategies, plans and tools to advance awareness of CCS's mission to external audiences. Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, the role helps to shape communications activities to support CCS's mission work, specifically advocacy, health policy, prevention, cancer information and support services. This includes but is not limited to writing and content development, project management and media relations.

This role is ideal for a results-driven communicator with strong organizational and project management skills, who has an understanding of the Canadian media landscape and communications fundamentals.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Develop communications plans and tools aligned with overall mission and organizational priorities to drive awareness, engagement and revenue.
• With the support of the Senior Communications Manager, develop strategies to increase exposure of CCS's impact in advocacy, health policy, prevention, cancer information and support services.
• Working with the Communications Specialist and Advocacy Communications Specialist, write, edit and deploy a variety of engaging communications materials such as news releases, key messages, Q&As, pitch notes, speeches, presentations and more.
• Manage and develop a high-performing mission communications team, fostering a positive, collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
• Identify opportunities to embed CCS's leadership in advocacy, prevention and support across communications activities, emphasizing outcomes and innovations.
• Strengthen familiarity, relevance and trust in CCS, unifying mission need and donor impact throughcohesive narratives
• Cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to coordinate communications efforts to support implementation of nationwide mission plans.
• Identify and respond to emerging issues related to advocacy, health policy, prevention or cancer information and support services portfolios, providing counsel and pursuing proactive opportunities to elevate CCS's voice.
• Assess communications performance by monitoring progress, achievements and gaps, and adjusting strategies based on data and insights.
• Champion audience-centric, plain-language content that connects emotionally and intellectually to drive engagement
• Provide ad-hoc support for Research Communications team as needed.
• Foster a high-performance culture that leverages the unique talents and strengths of each member while encouraging their growth and development.
• Champion CCS as a hero in the face of cancer.
• Contribute to our culture of diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity (DIBE) by ensuring that all staff feel represented, valued, and heard across all aspects of their identity, including gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, and sexuality.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, journalism or related field and 5+ years of experience in communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in managing communications and public relations strategies and tactics, including working with media
• Excellent synthesis and writing skills and ability to communicate complex topics and strategic initiatives for a variety of audiences and channels
• Strong editing skills and attention to detail
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative where required,