Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications Job Description

Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications

Heart House Hospice is a charitable non-profit organization that provides support to individuals and their families experiencing serious illness and loss of a loved one. We support children, youth, and older adults in Mississauga and Brampton with a continuum of programs that enables us to provide compassion, support, and advocacy that lessens the distress of terminal illness and loss on individuals, families, and the community.

For nearly 40 years, Heart House’s community-based program model has helped ensure that clients’ needs are met in the comfort of their homes. Our team is dedicated to providing excellent hospice palliative care in our community and we are working to expand support programs to include in-patient hospice beds within our future Hospice Centre.

Our team is embarking on several strategic initiatives including an organizational re-brand, data platform implementation, capital campaign, website redesign, and the execution of a strategic communications plan. We are looking for a Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications to play an essential role in accomplishing this ambitious strategic roadmap. In this position you will work directly with Heart House Hospice’s Executive Director to execute this multi-year strategic plan. You will serve as a trusted partner and a force multiplier by bringing change management best practices, communications expertise, and strong project management skills to the organization.

This is a remote-first position with occasional instances where in-office presence is appreciated. It is a two year engagement with the possibility of extension.

In this position you will have the opportunity to:

-Lead the implementation of strategic initiatives aligned with the Heart House’s goals and objectives, including an organizational re-brand, data platform implementation, capital campaign, website redesign, and the execution of a strategic communications plan

-Collaborate with executive management to define strategic priorities and create action plans that ensure the successful implementation key initiatives

-Monitor progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide regular reports on the effectiveness of strategic initiatives

-Collaborate with the Fundraising & Marketing team to implement a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances the organization's brand and reputation

-Guide the creation of engaging and impactful content for various channels, including websites, social media, press releases, and internal communications

-Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including members of the community, external partners (i.e. hospitals, hospices, etc.), and internal team members

-Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans to foster positive relationships and promote collaboration

-Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align strategic initiatives and ensure cohesive messaging; embed a change management philosophy in all strategic initiatives to ensure adoption and success

-Establish metrics and key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of strategic initiatives and communications efforts

-Analyze data and provide regular reports highlighting progress, successes, and areas for improvement

-Identify opportunities for optimization and implement continuous improvement strategies

It would be great if you have:

-A relevant combination of education and experience, typically acquired through an MBA and 7+ years in the non-profit sector

-5+ years’ experience in a leadership role, ideally in a remote work environment

-Experience in complex stakeholder environments and a proven ability to understand, communicate with, and influence stakeholders including board members, senior executives, cross-functional teams, and external partners

-Experience with transformational change and the ability to successfully define, communicate, and implement change initiatives

-A proven track record of successfully implementing change management strategies in complex and dynamic environments

-Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities with a track record of translating ideas into actionable plans

-Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and measure internal and external communication strategies that align with organizational goals

-Well-rounded project management skills, including the ability to develop and execute on actionable project plans across multiple high priority initiatives (PMP certification is an asset)

-A strong background in working with charitable organizations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to philanthropy

-Leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and inspire others towards achieving shared goals

-Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Heart House has a strong culture of philanthropy and mental wellness. Here are some of the other benefits and perks enjoyed by our team:

●HOOPP

●4 weeks of vacation

●12 sick days

●5 Professional Development Days

●Flexible work environment with hybrid and remote work options

●Quarterly team building

Heart House Hospice is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

To apply to this position, please submit your resume to [email protected] by July 19, 2023with the subject line: “Application for Strategic Initiatives & Communications Director position.”