COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Summary

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is a national non-profit association that represents over 6,800 communication health professionals (speech-language pathologists, audiologists and communication health assistants). We are currently seeking a talented and creative bilingual Communications Specialist to join our team. Would you like to work with a forward-thinking and enthusiastic communications team? Then this could be the perfect position for you!

Description

 

The Communications Specialist, Corporate Services is an SAC brand champion and high-performing professional who will work on internal and external communication projects and plans by supporting the work of both the communications team and other departments. As brand steward, the Communication Specialist, Corporate Services will ensure consistent, quality communication across the organization to elevate its profile and its member professions. He or she writes with clarity, insight and precision and is an integral part of a dynamic team that continues to build and develop an exciting strategic vision for Speech-Language and Audiology Canada. 

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Marketing, the Communications Specialist, Corporate Services assists in planning of the association’s annual Speech and Hearing Month campaign, develops and manages website content and works with the communications team to create engaging written and visual materials. Alongside team members, the Communications Specialist ensures that all activities are strategically conceived, diligently planned, effectively executed and measured against relevant benchmarks.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

General

  • Ensures that all communications initiatives are strategic, well-planned, well-executed and completed on-time and on-budget
  • Strategize, write, edit corporate communications documents (internal and external) including communications plans for projects and initiatives
  • Helps manage the communications department’s planning calendar, the broadcast email calendar and various production schedules
  • Ensures that all SAC messages across all platforms are clear, consistent, on-brand and reflect SAC’s Style Guide
  • Develops creative and effective content and materials that help increase member and associate engagement includes writing, editing member communications
  • Works collaboratively with the Multimedia and Graphic Designer to determine how to best align SAC’s written content with visual imagery
  • Writes, edits and reviews SAC communications including collateral, articles, flashes, website content, newsletters, press releases, conference/event promotions, surveys, speeches and presentations; acts as liaison and manages external translation services
  • Assists in management of social media communication strategies, including identifying influencers, working with external/internal stakeholders
  • Acts as a representative on select working groups and committees and helps manage publication process and general messaging for SAC’s industry journal (CJSLPA)
  • Supports SAC’s drive to maintain best practices in its communications and marketing activities by proactively seeking out and assessing new approaches
  • Provides recommendations on leading trends in the areas of communications, marketing and social media
  • Other duties as assigned

Speech and Hearing Month

  • Leads the planning, execution and evaluation of SAC’s annual Speech and Hearing Month campaign
  • Develops an annual communications plan as well as a yearly evaluation report
  • Works with content experts to develop new public awareness posters and info sheets on key issues
  • Manages the campaign website and develops strategies and content that increase website traffic
  • Liaises with printers and other suppliers
  • Writes press releases, media pitches and advocacy materials

Website

  • Manages the SAC website and collaborates regularly with SAC staff to ensure that content is engaging and accurate
  • Stays on top of the latest trends and best practices and proposes website changes to improve user experience
  • Strategizes and identifies new content requirements and evaluates the effectiveness of website features
  • Acts as a resource for members/associates with regards to website issues and navigation difficulties
  • Liaises with external consultants on website issues, as required

Publications

  • Responsible for managing the broadcast email calendar and working with SAC staff to develop and write their e-communications to members/associates
  • Monitors (or assists Communications Officer) MailChimp analytics and looks for ways to continually improve open and click rates for SAC’s e-communications
  • Writes, edits, publishes monthly (Insider) newsletter and, with curating content, weekly newsletter (TWITN)
  • Responsible for managing the Communique production schedule and working with contributors to generate content for the blog.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Post-secondary education in a related field such as communications, journalism, public relations, marketing
  • 5+ years of related professional experience, association experience is a plus
  • Experience developing and evaluating communications and marketing campaigns
  • Experience creating both written and visual communication materials
  • Experience working with content management systems
  • Experience with social media platforms
  • Experience with updating website content.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

  • Writing Skills — Superior English writing and editing skills (sound knowledge of Canadian Press style); Bilingualism (English/French) is preferred.
  • Communication Skills — Strong interpersonal, organizational and public relations skills with a proven ability to communicate clearly to a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Computer Skills — Excellent computer skills with sound knowledge of Microsoft Office products, Adobe PDF and website content management systems
  • Creativity — Ability to come up with innovative and compelling ideas for SAC’s collateral
  • Project Management Skills — Ability to organize comprehensive work-back schedules and ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
  • Time Management Skills — Ability to balance competing priorities and multiple projects while adhering to strict deadlines
  • Problem Solving — Works well with fellow team members to problem solve situations. Meets challenges with resourcefulness and generates suggestions for improving work
  • Initiative — Volunteers readily and is always seeking ways to foster self-development and growth. Sets and achieves challenging goals
  • Initiative — Volunteers readily and is always seeking ways to foster self-development and growth. Sets and achieves challenging goals

Native Proficiency in French or an advanced level of Bilingualism (English/French) is a requirement for this position.

POSITION TYPE

  • Permanent
  • Full-time (35 hours a week)

HOW TO APPLY

If you think your personality, skills, education and experience make you the person for the job, we’d love to hear from you!

Send a cover letter explaining why you would be a great addition to our team, along with your salary expectations, your résumé and one writing sample to jclarke@businesssherpagroup.com. The closing date for priority selection is December 6, 2021, the position will remain open until filled and rolling interviews will be conducted as soon as qualified applications are received. No phone calls please. Please write “Application for SAC Communications Specialist” in the subject line of your email.

We offer a competitive salary, summer Friday’s program in July and August, Pension Plan with matching program, Health Benefits and a flexible work plan. Please note that due to the ongoing constraints of the COVID-19 Pandemic this position is home based with planned return to in-office mid to late November.

SAC is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our membership and employees. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to diversification of our association including, but not limited to, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and people with intersectional identities.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. However, we will only contact candidates we have selected for an interview.