Senior Manager, Public Relations And Communications

Organization: Plan International Canada

Reports to: Director, Public Relations and Communications

Location: Toronto (Hybrid)

Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Contact level with Children: B

Grade level: 8

What can you expect from a leading organization in the global movement to advance children’s rights and equality for girls?

Plan International Canada is the first non-profit organization to ever be inducted into Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame by Waterstone Human Capital. Here’s why: together, we have created a climate of trust and inclusivity – where diversity in people, ideas and approaches is not only respected, it’s encouraged.

We remain agile amid an ever-changing global landscape. Though we continue to evolve, our mission and strategic ambition will not change – and our work has never been so imperative. We will never stop believing in the multiplying power of girls and that every child deserves that right to learn, lead, decide and thrive. Our future success will be founded upon Plan International Canada’s 80+ year history of focusing on our mission, our core values, responding to challenges and seizing opportunities with purpose, relevance and impact.

Further information can be found at: plancanada.ca/careers

The Position

The Senior Manager, PR and Communications will have an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of engaging with Canadians, elevating our brand and expanding our reach as a champion for children’s rights and equality for girls around the globe. As a leader within our organization, the successful candidate will play an instrumental role in shaping and implementing strategic communications to ensure that our voice is heard and our message is understood.

What does success look like?

• Oversee crisis and issues management, advising senior-level executives on reputational risks and mitigating potential threats to the organization.
• Provide strategic recommendations and collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior executives to shape the organization's messaging and enhance its reputation.
• Develop and lead strategic communications plans across traditional and online platforms to demonstrate impact and showcase thought leadership.
• Measure and report on ad-hoc initiatives, regular team activities, and planned project results, providing insights on potential improvements.
• Ensure increased brand visibility through outreach to Canadian traditional media outlets and journalists.
• Support the CEO's external communications and thought leadership strategy, including media relations, social media engagement, and creating compelling speeches, blogs, and op-eds that showcase the organization's impact and vision.
• Drive the enhancement of corporate partnerships and youth engagement through effective communications strategies, fostering seamless integration between teams and ensuring cohesive messaging for campaigns, event scripts, and event execution.
• Lead a team of 2-3 PR/Communications professionals, ensuring excellence, timeliness, and attention to detail in their responsibilities.
• Work closely with the Policy & Advocacy team to develop and lead advocacy communications, increasing Plan International Canada's influence within the national political landscape and NGO sector.
• Lead the development and implementation of key projects and campaigns utilizing both traditional and digital platforms to drive brand awareness and differentiation. This includes strategy development, implementation planning, and reporting.
• Identify and brief spokespeople to effectively convey our positive impact for children worldwide, brand purpose, and values.

As our ideal candidate for the Senior Manager, PR and Communications role at Plan International Canada, you will possess the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in translating complex concepts into clear, concise, and compelling messages for external audiences, ensuring that the organization's mission and values are accurately and effectively communicated.
• Experience managing relationships with suppliers and agencies to deliver high-quality communications on time and on budget, ensuring that all external partners are aligned with the organization's mission and values.
• Experience leading a small team to deliver on standing responsibilities and multiple projects throughout the year, ensuring that all team members are aligned with organizational goals and timelines.
• A mid to senior-level professional in PR and Communications, with an interest in international development, children’s rights, and/or gender equality.
• Strong strategic thinker and project manager, able to prioritize multiple competing priorities and deliver projects on time, on budget, and to a high standard.
• Exceptional critical thinking and strategic planning skills, able to develop and implement innovative and effective communications plans that support organizational goals.
• Proven track record of using a one-team approach to managing internal teams, external agencies, consultants, and freelancers to maximize impact and deliver results, fostering collaboration and accountability across all stakeholders.
• At Plan International Canada, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team of professionals who are passionate about advancing children's rights and gender equality globally. If you are a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering results in PR and Communications, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to make a difference in the world.
• Experience with issues management as it relates to social and traditional media, able to anticipate and mitigate potential risks to the organization's reputation.
• Experience working with CEO and executive leaders on thought leadership initiatives, creating messaging and content that highlights the organization's strategic vision and impact.

How to apply:

To express interest in this exciting opportunity, submit your resume and cover letter to https://plancanada.ca/apply by July 3, 2023.

Consistent with our Safeguarding Policy the successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including the vulnerable sector screen.

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the work term. Proof of eligibility will be required.

Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.

Plan International Canada is a hybrid workplace. You will work from the office and from home.

Plan International Canada hires based on merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community and to providing an inclusive workplace. Plan International Canada especially welcomes applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Plan International Canada sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Thank you for your interest in a career at Plan International Canada!