Specialist, Advocacy Communications

WorkInNonProfits; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Cancer Society is seeking a Specialist, Advocacy Communications in a hybrid role across Vancouver and other locations. You will lead advocacy communications, manage media relations and write compelling content that advances CCS priorities while coordinating with fundraising and internal teams.

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, you’ll develop plans, deliver engaging materials, and ensure timely execution of campaigns to inform and persuade stakeholders and the public.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in media relations or communications.
• Experience in communications strategy and tactics including media relations.
• Knowledge of government decision-making processes and advocacy tactics.
• Experience in advocacy, public policy and/or government relations.
• Strong editing skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to perform under deadline and manage multiple projects.
• Bilingualism (French/English) preferred; health nonprofit experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop communications plans aligned with CCS priorities to support advocacy.
• Create news releases, key messages, speeches, presentations and digital content.
• Advise advocacy partners on timely, high-impact communications opportunities.
• Translate complex policy initiatives into clear content for diverse audiences.
• Package advocacy stories for multimedia storytelling across channels.
• Assess performance and implement strategies to strengthen impact.
• Plan targeted media relations and public relations activities.
• Collaborate with fundraising to position advocacy for donor audiences.
• Coordinate with internal teams to raise awareness of priorities.
• Support spokespeople and manage media inquiries.
• Publish content to cancer.ca and CCS News Wire; provide ad-hoc support.

Skills

Advocacy communications

Media relations

Project management

Writing/editing

Education

Post-secondary degree in communications

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

SharePoint

Meltwater

Cision

Job description

Upgrade your skills in Fundraising, Marketing, Leadership, and more.
All 100% Free!

Specialist, Advocacy Communications
Canadian Cancer Society
Hybrid -Calgary area, Vancouver & Lower Mainland, Ottawa area, Montreal Metro area, ...

closing tomorrow (Wed, 29 Jul)
full time Salary Band: 4 ($53,000 - $63,000 CAD)

Job Title: Specialist, Advocacy Communications

Vacancies:This posting is for (1) new role.

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

Work Model:Hybrid Work Model

Salary Band:4 ($53,000 - $63,000 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 Strategic Communications team at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), the Specialist, Advocacy Communications plays a key role in elevating awareness and knowledge of CCS’s advocacy priorities. Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, this role develops and executes communications plans to demonstrate the impact of our advocacy work. This includes but is not limited to writing and content development, project management and media relations. Working closely with advocacy, health policy and mission teams across the organization, the Specialist shapes clear, compelling narratives that resonate with cause supporters, elected officials, government decision-makers, advocates and the general public with the goal of advancing CCS’s advocacy goals and overall strategic plan. This role is ideal for a results-oriented communicator with strong project management skills, who has demonstrated experience in advocacy communications and media relations.

• Develop comprehensive communications plans and tools aligned with CCS’s mission and organizational priorities to support advocacy initiatives and drive audience engagement and growth.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to develop a variety of engaging communications materials such as news releases, key messages, fact sheets, speeches, presentations, digital content and more.
• Advise advocacy partners on communications opportunities, helping identify timely, high-impact moments to engage audiences, elevate priority issues and strengthen CCS’s impact.
• Translate complex advocacy and public policy initiatives into clear, compelling content tailored for a variety of audiences and channels.
• Identify, develop and package compelling advocacy stories that support effective multimedia storytelling across the organization.
• Assesses advocacy communications performance and recommend and implement innovative strategies to strengthen impact.
• Plan and execute targeted media relations and public relations activities to elevate CCS’s advocacy priorities.
• Work with fundraising colleagues to position advocacy impact for donor audiences, helping grow CCS’s market share through strong, advocacy‑oriented storytelling.
• Work with internal communications to build organization‑wide awareness of advocacy priorities and successes, ensuring alignment and amplification across teams.
• Work alongside the brand marketing and digital engagement teams to support marketing and social communications as required.
• Project manage content approvals and sharing between internal and external stakeholders in a timely, collaborative and professional manner.
• Act as a point of contact on behalf of CCS for media and assist with media requests, triaging inquiries, supporting spokespeople and tracking results.
• Provide support writing and editing various advocacy‑related materials including reports, speaking notes, presentations, letters to politicians and bureaucrats and more.
• Publish content to cancer.ca and the Canadian News Wire as required.
• Provide ad-hoc support to the Strategic Communications team.
• 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, political science or related field and 3 to 5 years of experience in media relations or communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience in communications strategy and tactics, including media and public relations
• Knowledge of federal, regional and provincial government decision‑making processes, regulatory and legislative processes and structures is essential, with broad knowledge of advocacy, lobbying, media relations and community engagement tactics
• Experience communicating about advocacy, public policy and/or government relations
• Strong editing skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated flexibility, resourcefulness, resiliency and the willingness and capacity to produce quality results under pressure and to deadline
• Proven ability to present creative solutions to problems and issues management
• Excellent written (knowledge of CP style), listening and oral skills
• Proven experience with media monitoring (Meltwater, Cision), reporting and analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft tools including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams as well as SharePoint
• Bilingualism (French/English) is highly preferred, with French being an asset due to the organization’s nationwide operations and the need for effective communication across various regions.
• Experience in a health‑related environment, cancer organization or non‑profit setting is an asset
• Others may apply

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

CCS provides impactful opportunities to transform the lives of Canadians affected by cancer. We are devoted to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diverse experiences and skills, encouraging all qualified candidates to join us. Our inspiring culture is rooted in our core values and commitment to meaningful change:

COURAGEOUS UNITED CARING RIGOROUS

We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, including paid parental leave, family sick time, and health insurance—and a fulfilling work environment where your efforts make a meaningful impact daily.

COME AS YOU ARE

At CCS, we celebrate individuality and the strength of diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace that empowers everyone. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including those from equity‑deserving groups such as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others who contribute to the richness of our organization. Together, we unite Canadians to shape the future of cancer care.