Specialist, Strategic Communications - Inclusive Communications

Canadian Blood Services; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization in Ottawa is seeking a full-time Specialist in Strategic Communications. The role requires a focus on inclusive communications strategies to engage diverse donor communities. Responsibilities include developing communications that support diversity, equity, and reconciliation initiatives. Ideal candidates have significant experience in public relations and a strong commitment to inclusivity.

Benefits

4 weeks vacation

Annual performance award up to 6%

Comprehensive health benefits

Employee wellness program

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in communications, journalism, or public relations.
• Experience in developing communications for diverse communities.
• Exceptional writing skills with a focus on equity.

Responsibilities

• Develop equity-centered communication strategies.
• Support DEI and reconciliation goals through communication.
• Create engaging content for diverse audiences.

Skills

Journalism

Public relations

Communication strategies

Content creation

Equity and inclusion

Education

Post-secondary degree in communications or related field

Job description

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Specialist, Strategic Communications - Inclusive Communications

Location: Ottawa, ON, CA, K1G 4J5 Calgary, AB, CA, T3N 1S5 Edmonton, AB, CA, T6G 2R8 Vancouver, British Columbia, CA, V6H 2N9 Winnipeg, MB, CA, R3E 3R4 Halifax, Nova Scotia, CA, B3L 2C2 Toronto, ON, CA, M5G 2M1 Regina, SK, CA, S4S 3R8 Saskatoon, SK, CA, S7H 2X1

Please note this role will work in a hybrid environment. The successful candidate must be located near a Canadian Blood Services site and will be working a mixture of on-site and off-site work based on the parameters for our operations to meet the needs of our donors, our staff and our communities. Currently, employees are expected to have an in-person presence for at least 40% of their work time. This requirement may vary depending upon circumstances.

Job category: Communications, marketing and public affairs
Job posting ID: 7989

Employment status: Regular full-time

Classification: PTS/MGT/IT B
Salary/Rate of pay: $80,078 to $94,028

This external job posting may close earlier than the advertised deadline. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

Application requirements:

• Your up-to-date resume.
• We recommend you save a copy of the job posting for reference throughout the recruitment process.

Do you currently work for Canadian Blood Services? All employees must apply via the internal career page.

Together, we can make all the difference in the lives of others.

Be part of a dynamic, collaborative and caring organization committed to saving and improving lives. Thousands of patients depend on us every day for reliable access to safe blood, plasma, stem cells and organs and tissues.

If you are looking for a rewarding experience with a values and mission-driven team, join Canada’s Lifeline and make a meaningful difference.

We acknowledge that the work of Canadian Blood Services spans many Territories and Treaty areas across the country, and we are grateful for the Traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who have guided us in this important work. We recognize the land and waters that have inspired our work and offer gratitude to those Indigenous peoples on whose territory we work, live and play.

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Regular full-time Specialist, Strategic Communications – Inclusive Communications to join our dynamic Communications team in our Donor Engagement and Corporate Reputation (DECR) division.

The Communications team empowers and motivates individuals to join Canada’s Lifeline by creating engaging content, building brand affinity, and preserving confidence in Canadian Blood Services.

In this role, you will support the planning, development and execution of equity-centered and inclusive communications strategies, products, and resources to help advance Canadian Blood Services’ strategic priorities to grow and diversify the donor base and invest in people and culture. You will play a key role to lead, support and deliver on strategic communications activities that have a direct impact on increasing and fostering employee and donor diversity, equity, and inclusion, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. You will also support the maintenance and evolution of inclusive language and communications standards and resources for Canadian Blood Services, across corporate products and channels.

• Advise, develop, and execute measurable communications strategies and tactics in support of Canadian Blood Services’ corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), reconciliation and sustainability goals and objectives.
• Support the ongoing communications needs of teams across Canadian Blood Services, developing and informing inclusive communications products (key messages, internal communications, stories, website content, press releases, digital content, reports, etc.) that address key business imperatives, priority initiatives and critical issues as they relate to DEI, reconciliation and belonging.
• Play a key role in shaping, evolving and presenting the evolving story of Canadian Blood Services and Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, African, Caribbean, and Black, and other equity-deserving communities we are actively working with to build trust, address barriers to donation, and ensure health equity.
• Use a diversity of storytelling tools and platforms to produce and develop engaging, equity-centred content for internal and external audiences; leveraging traditional and social channels that will help to influence audiences, drive engagement, and foster transformative change.
• Apply an inclusion and equity lens to organizational content, strategies, products and resources.
• Develop strong relationships and collaborate with colleagues, teams, business partners, employee resource groups and other employee networks across the organization, to co-create and deliver creative, thoughtful, informed, and audience-specific communications.
• Support collaboration and co-creation of communications materials and initiatives with key community partners and groups; leveraging community perspectives and insights to inform inclusive and responsive communications strategies and products.
• Safeguard our brand and reputation by working with subject matter experts to ensure high-quality, consistent, and accurate content that aligns with our brand and our commitments to DEI, reconciliation and sustainability.

Desired education and skills

• Post‑secondary level education in a relevant discipline, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, or social sciences (a combination of equivalent education, job‑related training and experience in a related position will also be considered).
• 5+ years of experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field, in a corporate or health care environment.
• Experience developing communications with and for diverse, equity‑deserving communities (e.g., Indigenous, African, Caribbean, and Black, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities) is strongly preferred.
• Lived experience as a member of an equity‑deserving group is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills with the demonstrated ability to apply a critical, equity lens to content creation for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing and executing innovative and measurable communications plans and tactics to effectively drive business objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines and navigate a complex organization.
• Experience in exercising judgment and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex situations and topics.
• Basic knowledge or demonstrated interest in anti‑oppression, anti‑racism, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion frameworks.
• Proven experience providing communications advice to business partners and leaders.
• Experience in creative content development (e.g., video production and editing) is an asset.
• Ability to speak multiple languages is an asset.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends as required.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation
• Annual performance award up to 6%
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources

What you can expect

• This role will work in a hybrid environment with requirements to be onsite at Canadian Blood Services location 40% of the time/2 days of the week.
• You may be expected to travel a couple of times per year, and as required.

Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring health equity for patients across Canada. We are committed to reflecting Canada’s population in our organization and fostering an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities to succeed and contribute.

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply by providing your up-to-date resume. This could be your first step towards a meaningful and inspiring career. Come to work each day knowing that you save lives.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those considered for an interview or those invited to participate in an assessment will be contacted. Emails are sent directly from our system, to ensure you receive them please add [e-mail] and [e-mail] to your safe senders list.

Applicants who require accommodation should discuss their needs with us.