POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

The Public Relations Officer is responsible for a comprehensive communications and community engagement strategy that supports the strategic priorities of The Salvation Army; while upholding and promoting the values, policies, procedures, codes and conduct and ethics of The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory.

The Public Relations Officer is responsible for supporting local ministry units in crisis communications, earned media, events, supporting public affairs, Advisory groups, and the annual kettle campaign in their assigned region. Supporting the Divisional Secretary for Public Relations, the Public Relations Officer is the spokesperson for The Salvation Army within their assigned region, through regular interface with ministry units, public forums and media to support and communicate the vital mission impact of The Salvation Army.

Accountabilities:

1. Communications

• As a spokesperson for The Salvation Army, ensure consistent messaging for all media related matters, leading efforts for media releases, quotes and responses in a manner that preserves the reputation of The Salvation Army
• Manage communications, provide updates, and ensure consistent brand messaging and accuracy for disaster responses
• Manage the message for all earned media and crisis communications from inception to final release and follow-up metrics/results
• Provide editorial oversight of all communication and marketing materials including pitches, social media posts, and video captioning
• Lead all efforts for compelling story content, mission impact and call to action and liaise with ministry units and THQ for content, approvals, and delivery
• Develop and lead strategy for earned media, positioning The Salvation Army as a knowledge leader and innovative partner, to further build sustainable partnerships

2. Relationship management

• Understand the local offering of all ministry units in your assigned region and provide value-added public relations departmental support to advance mission
• Prepare press releases as required for all major campaigns, special events, ministry unit needs, disaster responses and corporate partnership deliverables
• Assist the Divisional Secretary for Public Relations with divisional & ministry unit public relations & communication projects as required, along with pitches, crisis communications needs, holding statements and all related materials
• Distribute up-to-date information to media outlets
• Represent the Ontario divisional Public Relations team at community and local ministry unit events & initiatives as needed throughout division.

3. Events

• Develop, supervise, and manage community engagement events, fundraising and stewardship events that enhance event and brand awareness, acquires new attendees, donors, meets strategic objectives, and increases fundraising results
• Support the kettle campaign within the division/region
• Manage all communications and marketing components for events within the division, communicating opportunities, resources, and outcomes

4. Advisory Board and or local board participation

• Support Boards in the division, encouraging community engagement
• When required, responsible for setting all meetings, agendas, production of minutes for review and approval by the Divisional Commander & DSPR

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Internal:

• Divisional marketing and communications team members
• Local divisional leadership
• THQ communications department
• Ministry units
• Other DHQ departments

External:

• External news agencies, broadcasters, media outlets and agencies, professional public relations companies
• Donors, sponsors, partner organizations
• General public
• Public office holders i.e. MP, MPP, municipal

MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:

• Willingness to manage up to 3 employees, accountable for establishing and communicating objectives and priorities for the team with ongoing responsibilities for recruitment, training, performance management, and development
• Provides editorial and creative insight to the divisional marketing and communications team
• Leads employees to meet the organization's expectations for productivity, quality, continuous improvement, and goal accomplishment

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• This role has minimal materials management

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Working outside of regular business hours may be required for events and will work on call throughout the year for crisis communications
• Overtime may be needed to meet deadlines
• Work can be demanding, will be working with the media, and may be antagonistic. May work with/come across lobby groups who may be disagreeable to TSA
• Work may require sitting and standing for extended periods of time during events and/or press conferences
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, cameras, and other devices and objects
• Able to lift supplies up to 25lbs
• Frequent travel to the Toronto office and throughout the Eastern Ontario corridor will be required to support ministry units, participate in team meetings and divisional events, conduct interviews, and respond to emergency situations

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement, in a professional manner, exemplifying Christian standards of conduct.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a 3 or 4 year bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing or public relations is required

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Minimum five years related public relations/marketing/ writing/communications/event/social media experience in an organizational setting, with previous non-profit experience an asset

Skills and Capabilities:

• Excellent working knowledge and experience in various software and reporting tools such as Microsoft Office, WordPress, and an ability to quickly learn new applications
• Demonstrated excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Outstanding time management skills and attention to detail
• Excellent project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, as required
• Excellent use of the English language for communication and writing for print and online applications. Having French language skills (spoken & written) is an asset
• Has a drivers licence in good standing and a vehicle to meet the travel requirements of the role
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment to meet tight deadlines
• Positive, enthusiastic, solution-focused and will take initiative
• Extensive knowledge of The Salvation Army is an asset
• High standards of integrity, judgment, and confidentiality
• Detail-oriented, organized, confident and self-directed
• Superb customer service skills and experience
• Creative and able to produce well thought out special event plans and projects
• Strong word processing and publishing computer skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work in a demanding team-oriented environment
• Ability to represent The Salvation Army professionally in accordance with its culture, mission, values, and brand
• Ability and willingness to adhere to, respect, support, promote, and further The Salvation Army’s vision, mission, and values through everyday work and in the press and media

BENEFITS:

• Compensation: $70,241.60 to $87,796.80, with the potential to reach $105,372.80
• Work Format: Hybrid - home-based in Eastern Ontario.
• Vacation: Three weeks annually.

This recruitment is being led by Gerard Search on behalf of The Salvation Army.

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled.

Check the status of the search process here