Manager of Communications and Marketing

SCOPE OF POSITION

Are you a strategic thinker who can synthesize data and association trends into meaningful communication vehicles? If so please join our team!

This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a key member of the management team who defines and delivers on the strategic communication goals of the Association.

Serving as a central hub of information for the association, the Manager of Communications and Marketing collaborates with colleagues from various departments to develop communication and marketing materials that raise the public profile of the association and its member professions.

As the leader of the communication team, this position is responsible for all communication products produced by the association as well as for the development of communications plans for all association initiatives informed by analytics and current best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Raises public, government and member/associate awareness of the association’s programs and services through the design and delivery of effective communication programs, products and impactful campaigns
• Maintains a pulse on leading trends in the areas of communications, marketing and social media to ensure SAC continues to be a leader in the field
• Supports the internal advocacy team in ensuring that the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology, as well as communication health assistants are well-represented in the public policy arena.
• Serves as an advisor to the CEO, the management team and the Board of Directors on communications and public affairs issues
• Develops–or assists in the development of–position statements, official statements, media releases
• Lead’s SAC’s media relations strategy, researches editorial opportunities and builds relationships with key media partners
• Responsible for SAC’s media tracking system to monitor issues of importance to the association
• Leads the communications team in developing creative and effective content and communication plans that help increase member and associate engagement
• Analyzes departmental analytics on an ongoing basis to help inform the development of communication strategy and advice to the SAC management team

• Leads SAC’s social media strategy and works with the communications team to continually monitor, build and develop SAC’s social media presence

• Ensures the publication of high-quality online and print content
• Ensures that all SAC messages on all platforms are clear, consistent, on-brand and reflect SAC’s Style Guide
• Writes and edits communications pieces as appropriate (speeches, opinions, briefing notes information sheets, posters) and develops communication release plans for SAC resources
• Leads the communications team in the development, implementation and evaluation of promotional programs, including promoting the professions within the framework of Speech and Hearing Month and other public awareness campaigns and/or national advertising initiatives

• Leads the development of promotional activities to support SAC’s Professional Development Program, the annual membership renewals campaign and other SAC initiatives.
• Oversees SAC’s advertising program

Publications

• Serves as senior writer and editor for all e-communications as well as all flash emails to members and associates.
• Establishes guidelines, processes and procedures for the association’s e-communications and newsletters
• Develops guidelines and procedures to ensure the high-quality French translation of all communications and collateral materials

Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

• Serves as the main SAC point of contact for Journal staff
• Manages the work of the Multimedia and Graphic Designer and any freelance graphic design support
• Assists in the recruitment and hiring of Journal layout and editorial staff
• Manages the Journal budget

Awards and Recognition Program

• Provides strategic oversight over the Awards and Recognition Program and the associated standing committee
• Guides the development of all promotional activities to support SAC’s Awards and Recognition Program

Management

• Develops and implements the communications department’s annual strategic communication strategy, including developing and updating the department’s strategic planning calendar.
• Provides regular updates to the Board of Directors on the department’s activities.
• Ensures that all communications and marketing initiatives are strategic, well-planned, well-executed and completed on-time and on-budget
• Participates in the development and evaluation of SAC’s strategic and operational plans

• Develops and manages the communications department budget
• Identifies, procures and manages external consultants, agencies and suppliers
• Supports and manages communications team
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Post-secondary degree in communications, marketing, public affairs or a related field
• Five to 10 years of practical experience in three or more key areas of communications, including public and media relations, government relations, issues management, advertising/promotion, marketing and social media
• Sound knowledge of content management systems, social media vehicles and other new web-based technologies
• Experience working with non-governmental organizations, particularly with professional not-for-profit associations
• Experience providing executive level advice to a Board of Directors and senior management

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Communication Skills– Superior written and verbal English communication skills along with the ability to effectively present and clarify requirements, expectations, ideas and concepts to various audiences/stakeholders
• Forward-Thinking– Brings an innovative and forward-thinking approach to all initiatives and tasks
• Leadership Skills – Creates and achieves results by coaching and mentoring team members to reach individual and organizational goals.
• Project Management Skills– Demonstrated ability to effectively run multiple concurrent projects and set priorities within tight timelines
• Organizational Skills– Organizes and uses resources effectively and efficiently to accomplish goals
• Problem Solving– Ability to develop and communicate solutions/responses to diverse user problems/requests
• Decision Making– Ability to know when decisions can be made independently and when they require consultation with senior management.
• Initiative– Displays a high level of initiative with the ability to recognize and anticipate what needs to be done

Bilingualism (English/French) is a strong asset for this position.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The work within the scope of this position requires an individual with a flexible work schedule, who can work some evenings/weekends, when required. The Manager of Communications and Marketing role may include some travel, but extensive travel is not required. This position is based in the Ottawa office. Hybrid work arrangements are available with a mixture of home based and in office work.