Communications Lead

CMHA Kelowna is seeking a full-time Communications Lead. This position is 37.5 hours a week with a typical work week of Monday – Friday, with occasional work on evenings and weekends.

WHAT DOES A COMMUNICATIONS LEAD DO?

The Communications Lead works in accordance with the mission and philosophy of CMHA Kelowna. The Communications Lead is responsible for driving the communication strategy of CMHA Kelowna, ensuring that the Organization’s messaging is compelling, consistent, and aligned with our mission and goals. This role involves overseeing all internal and external communications, managing media relations, leading content creation, and supporting the Organization's mental health promotion, fundraising, and community engagement efforts. The Communications Lead will work closely with leadership and key departments to enhance the organization’s visibility, credibility, and impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with the organization’s objectives. 
• Identify key messages, target audiences, and effective communication channels. 
• Set measurable goals for communication initiatives and track performance against these objectives. 
• Identify and assess organizational risks as they pertain to this portfolio and provide subsequent recommendations. 
• Lead the creation of high-quality content across all platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters, reports including CMHA Kelowna’s Annual Report, and press releases. 
• Oversee the editorial calendar to ensure timely and consistent content delivery. 
• Ensure all content adheres to brand guidelines and reflects the Organization’s values and mission. 
• Work with CEO to craft internal and external messages. 
• Design and implement internal communication strategies to ensure that staff and volunteers are informed, engaged, and aligned with the Organization’s mission and goals. 
• Develop and distribute internal newsletters, updates, and other materials. 
• Facilitate clear, consistent communication between departments and teams to support collaboration and organizational effectiveness. 
• Provide training and mentorship for co-workers in best practices for communications. 
• Develop and manage a robust digital presence, including social media, website, and email marketing. 
• Lead the strategy for online engagement, increasing followers, and fostering community interaction. 
• Analyze digital metrics to optimize performance and inform future strategies 
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement Team, create sponsorship packages and agreements tailored to different levels of partnership and deliver presentations to prospective sponsors. 
• Collaborate with program teams to support advocacy initiatives, crafting messages that resonate with key audiences and foster relationship building. 
• Develop and execute communication plans for fundraising campaigns, events, and special projects. 
• Assist with proposal writing and impact reporting upon request. 
• Track and report on the effectiveness of communication efforts in achieving community engagement and fundraising goals. 
• Oversee CMHA Kelowna’s brand identity, ensuring all communications reflect our mission, vision and values. 
• Provide training and correction regarding brand guidelines. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

YOUR STRENGTHS & EXPERIENCE:

• Degree in Communications or Marketing required 
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in a similar role 
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license
• Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector
• Certificates in Digital Marketing an asset. 
• Experience working in a non-profit environment considered an asset 
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experienced in leading and mentoring communications initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. 
• Strategic communication planning skills including a strong understanding of target audience segmentation and messaging strategies and ability to forecast communications needs while planning short- and long-term communications initiatives. 
• Strong content development and management skills including writing and editing across various formats, managing content calendars and ensuring consistent brand voice and messaging. 
• Understanding of digital marketing including SEO, SEM, and content marketing.
• Ability to analyze social media metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Ability to anticipate and manage communication challenges during crises.
• Experience in developing brand identity and messaging. 
• Experience in ethical, impactful storytelling.
• Analytical and research skills including ability to conduct communications audits, analyze trends and measure effectiveness of communication strategies. 
• Project management skills including the ability to manage multiple communication projects simultaneously. 
• Able to tailor messaging considering principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient in using analytics tools to track communications outcomes
• Skilled in using Graphics programs, such as Canva, Adobe Suite (on PC) 
• Basic web development skills an asset.
• Basic video editing skills an asset.
• Strong attention to detail
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be regularly exposed to stories of individuals who are struggling with and/or recovering from trauma, drug/alcohol use, homelessness, mental health challenges and/or mental illness 
• Ability to travel between facilities and other locations on an occasional basis 

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org 

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

●        A competitive salary of $57,348.16-74,552.61

●        Dental, Health & EAP Benefits

●        Wellness Spending Account

●        RRSP matching program

●        Vacation & Personal Health Days

●        Workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and teamwork

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.