Associate Director of Strategic Communications

Job term: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Start Date: anticipated November 2024

Location: Canada, remote

Closing Date: November 1, 2024

Who We Are

Founded in 2008, Indigenous Youth Roots, formerly known as Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE),  is a national Indigenous youth-led organization. We envision a future where Indigenous youth are empowered and connected as dynamic leaders in vibrant and thriving communities. We collaborate with communities to provide programs, grants and opportunities that are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being and designed to strengthen and amplify the voices of Indigenous youth. Centering Indigenous youth perspectives, we have 7 deeply held principles that guide us in our work and the way in which we relate to each other.

• Reciprocity
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Reclamation
• Advocacy
• Resurgence
• Solidarity

IYR is a workplace that puts its employees and community first. We are a living wage employer and believe in prioritizing a healthy work-life balance. We provide opportunities for flexible working hours, time off for ceremony and other life responsibilities and we actively respond to the accessibility needs of those who work with us. We are a results-oriented working environment, choosing to focus on achieving objectives, rather than promoting the status quo.

Your Impact

The Associate Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for providing vision, strategic leadership and direction for all IYR’s communications. This position also develops and implements IYR’s communications strategies, ensuring that all messaging is cohesive and aligned with IYR’s vision, purpose and brand.

This includes managing and overseeing the communications team to promote IYR’s programs, grants and opportunities through a variety of communities channels including social media, digital newsletters, video, website content, reports, print and other communications materials.

The Associate Director of Strategic Communications reports to the Director of Strategy.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities 

Leadership and Collaboration

• Ensure IYR’s communications support the Strategic Plan mandated by the ED and the Board of Directors.
• Lead the Communications team; including financial oversight, human resource management, operational planning, performance measurement and program evaluation.
• With the Director of Strategy, collaborate with Directors and teams on the operational plan, including leading and supporting communications initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice to leadership on communications matters regarding IYR including emerging issues and risk management.
• Participate in leadership and advisory circles to advance communications goals and objectives.
• Maintain professionalism and enable a cohesive leadership culture internal to IYR, and external while enhancing IYR’s public profile.

Communications

• Oversee the creation of communications for all IYR’s channels including social media, website, newsletters, video, print and more.
• Ensure consistency in branding and messaging across all channels.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of IYR’s website including monthly maintenance, methods to increase accessibility and clarity of information and ongoing upkeep to ensure all content is accurate and relevant.
• Develop and implement communications strategies in support of IYR’s strategic plan as well as department specific goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Directors and the Board of Directors to ensure alignment of communications with strategic goals and initiatives.
• Lead all public relations including media relations and outreach, maintenance of media lists, responding to media requests, writing speaking notes and writing and sending out press releases.
• With the Director of Strategy, lead coordination of crisis communication efforts when necessary, ensuring all messaging aligns with IYR’s vision, purpose and strategic goals.
• Seek out opportunities for public appearances and interviews for IYR’s spokespeople.
• Collaborate with IYR’s Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop messing on key issues.
• Remain current on emerging communications trends, technologies and platforms.

Administration

• Oversee project management of all communications initiatives such social media content, website, in-person events, media relations, and creation of a variety of communications products.
• Oversee day to day operations of the communications team and ensure all projects are on track and completed on time.
• Monitor ongoing communications expenditures and budget.
• Develop and implement polices to increase the efficiency of communications across the organization and to further support IYR’s communications goals and objectives.

Human Resource Management

• Hire and supervise staff, providing direction, training, support, coaching, mentorship, and on-going development.
• Facilitate optimum team performance by leading the development of shared goals and fostering a sense of mutual accountability.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations for direct reports with a focus on continuous learning and professional growth. Ensure the completion of performance evaluations for non-direct reports.
• Facilitate effective problem solving and conflict resolution between staff as needed.
• Address complex employee issues in consultation with the Director of Strategy and/or the Human Resources Director
• Promote an organizational culture which recognizes the uniqueness of each person and that value individual and team accomplishments.

Community Engagement:

• Uphold and promote the organization’s cultural values and guiding principles in all workplace practices.
• Engage with the Indigenous community and support initiatives that strengthen relationships and collaboration.

Health, Safety & Wellness:

• All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all potential hazards; and all incidents and injuries; as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in marketing and/or communications
• 1-2 years practical experience with leading Indigenous non-profit communications
• Post secondary education in Marketing/Communications/Public Relations is considered an asset
• 3 years’ experience supervising/mentoring and coaching a team
• Ability to travel within Canada

Who You Are

1. You are compassionate and lead with integrity. You understand that it’s important to meet others where they are. You are comfortable leading and making decisions for yourself and the team.
2. You are a passionate administrator. Your heart is in your work and strong, credible and strategic administration is one of the tools you rely on. You are a strong and capable financial manager, comfortable working within non-profit budgets.
3. You are a relationship builder and collaborator: You are focused on people and communities, value personal and professional relationships, and are comfortable working with others.

1. You are a visionary writer, communicator, and listener: You are able to lead and creatively vision new communications strategies and approaches for the organization.
2. A problem solver with a solution focused mindset: Roadblocks and unforeseen issues don’t typically phase you and you provide a variety of workable solutions when they come up.
3. Technologically savvy: You’re comfortable using technology to communicate and accomplish tasks. When introduced to a new communications platform you pick it up quite easily and can support your team in figuring out how to use it best.
4. Well organized & flexible: You like to be prepared and have organized systems for sharing information but don’t get caught up in deviating or adjusting your work when needed.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $80,340.00 to $93,986.00
• Employer Paid Health benefits (after 3-month probationary period)
• Group RRSP employer contribution 5% of annual salary (after 3-month probationary period)
• Vacation: 3 weeks and statutory holidays, in addition to a 2-week winter closure (prorated to start date
• Personal Days: 15 days annually (prorated to start date)
• Cultural Days: 5 days annually
• Flexible Work Week Options

Application Method

As a part of your expression of interest, please provide a cover letter that introduces yourself and share your passion for working alongside youth (especially youth in Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer communities) and highlights how your qualifications align with this role.

Indigenous Youth Roots is committed to equitable representation and access. Candidates from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities are encouraged to self-identify in the cover letter. IYR believes in barrier-free hiring practices. Please reach out to indicate how we can accommodate you.

You can submit a completed application (cover letter and résumé) through the IYR website. If you have any questions, you can contact Kathleen Sawdo, Acting Director of Human Resources at kathleen@indigenousyouthroots.ca

We encourage you to explore some of the work the IYR does to familiarize yourself prior to interviews: https://indigenousyouthroots.ca/