DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS
The Opportunity
Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. We bring communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership and other housing solutions across Canada and around the world. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 46 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world.
We deeply value our culture and colleagues, and we have collaboratively created the following vision statement: “We foster and build equity through affordable housing, by fully integrating diversity and inclusion into everything we do. Every individual involved with Habitat feels safe and encouraged to bring their whole selves to our mission and they know they are valued, heard, and respected.”
We are proud of our team’s diversity, and we encourage and will welcome applications from people who will enrich it further.
The Director of Communications is a key role, responsible for the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives that will help Habitat raise profile, funds, and advocate for housing policy in Canada and globally. The role will also provide support and communications guidance for 46 local Habitats across Canada under a federated charitable model. The Director of Communications will report directly to the Vice President, Communications and Partnerships.
The successful candidate is a collaborative, creative and experienced communications professional who will develop cohesive communications strategies that support the business objectives of Habitat for Humanity Canada, including advocacy, fundraising, and Habitat ReStore (our successful social enterprise). You are a storyteller, talented at developing engaging and persuasive content that resonates with a variety of audiences across multiple platforms. As an experienced media relations professional, you will help position Habitat Canada as a leading voice on housing and successfully manage public relations issues that arise internally and externally. You are a hands-on communications manager who is adept at both developing communication plans and successfully executing on them.
Your Impact
Storytelling & content creation
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Responsible for developing overall brand and program key messaging that clearly articulates Habitat’s value proposition to a broad range of stakeholders.
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Collaborate with the Government Relations and Housing Policy team to develop content (blog posts, op eds, reports, white papers, etc.) that highlights our advocacy agenda and positions Habitat Canada as a thought leader in the housing space.
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Support the Resource Development team on the creation of annual giving, donor stewardship and cause marketing campaigns and materials that drive fundraising.
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Work with local Habitats and the brand marketing team to create and/or curate impact stories (written & video) that highlight Habitat homeowners and the impact of Habitat on the community.
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Work closely with all departments to deliver on organizational priorities through strategic communications advice, commissioning of research and development of promotional materials.
Media relations
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Develop and execute an earned media strategy that helps advance Habitat’s position as a leading voice in housing.
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Liaise with agencies, journalists and key influencers to tell the Habitat story and support our advocacy, fundraising and ReStore efforts.
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Develop and distribute media releases as well as media relations templates and training materials to affiliates.
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Conduct media monitoring, provide media reports and keep the organization informed of any news items that will have an impact on our business.
Crisis communications
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Monitor and pro-actively identify and manage issues at Habitat Canada and across the federation.
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Provide strategic communications advice and support to affiliate and national staff and leadership on issues.
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Develop strategies, briefing documents, key messaging and provide media relations training to federation spokespeople as required.
Management
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This role has one direct report, Senior Manager, Communications and provides guidance and coaching to the Digital Experience Manager on our social content.
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Lead project teams in planning, project management and successfully delivering key initiatives.
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Manage and prepare annual expense budget for communications activities.
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Manage external agencies, vendors, suppliers as required.
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10 years’ experience in communications, media relations, marketing, journalism, and/or communications; agency experience a plus;
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Experience developing messaging on complex and sensitive issues;
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Exceptional communicator with demonstrated success in marketing/communications;
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Strategic thinker with ability to influence and inspire others;
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Outstanding writing and editing skills and the ability to develop engaging content for a variety of platforms, with a keen eye for detail;
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Proven ability to complete work with minimal supervision and meet budget and deadlines;
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Understanding of housing policy an asset;
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National media contacts an asset;
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Demonstrated non-profit experience.
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Highly creative and innovative.
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Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
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An organized self-starter, capable of engaging others and demonstrating leadership to achieve results.
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Proficiency in French considered an asset.
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Written and spoken competence in English is required.
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Excellent organization skills with strong attention to detail.
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Proven problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
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Passionate for the Habitat for Humanity mission and housing issues generally.
$90,000 – $105,000
Throughout your interview process, we’ll learn more about your skills and experience and determine your starting salary based on what you bring to the team.
Applications must be received before 5pm EST on October 4, 2023
Please note that we will be reviewing and evaluating applications on an ongoing basis, and we therefore encourage early submissions.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Habitat, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance. Habitat for Humanity Canada will arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable those with disabilities to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.
We thank all applicants for applying, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted (no phone calls please).
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 46 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.
