Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Senior Advisor

Direct Reports: None, Volunteers

Position Status & Locations: Termed Full-time, Vancouver On-site

Position Start Date: ASAP

Salary: $5416 - $6250 monthly

About Invictus Games 2025:

The Invictus Games is a biennial international adaptive sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and Veterans from around the world. Through the power of sport, the Games inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country.

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will take place from February 8 to 16, 2025, on the traditional territories of the Lil ̓ wat7 ú l (L í l ̓ wat), x ʷ m ə θ k ʷə y ̓ə m (Musqueam), S ḵ wx ̱ w ú 7mesh (Squamish) and s ə lilw ə ta ɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Over 500 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and Veterans from more than 20 nations are set to compete in a wide range of adaptive sports, including adaptive winter sports, for the first time in Invictus Games history.

The Vancouver Whistler Games Corporation (VWGC) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization established to organize and host the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

The Role

In conjunction with the Head of Communications the Sr Specialist Communications will help develop and implement strategies to promote and increase support for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and its mission. In partnership with a second Sr Communications Specialist, they will develop and implement the communications strategy by creating consistent and compelling communications for various channels internally and externally, building positive relationships with earned editorial media, influencers, agencies, and all stakeholders, supporting the development and management of an ambassador program, supporting issues management, and identifying and capitalizing on PR opportunities. Shared responsibility over owned channels as well and will integrate the development of a humanized content approach that helps bring the purpose of the organization to life.

Key to the success of this role is the ability to foster beneficial relationships with the internal team and a diverse group of external stakeholders & partners. As a strong team player, the position requires a demonstrated high capacity for work under pressure, resourcefulness, nimbleness, creativity and hands-on execution.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Develop, implement, and manage the overall communications strategy, ensuring alignment with mission and objectives and that it seamlessly integrates into the overall Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement Plan

• Contribute to the development and oversight of content strategy that integrates across all internal, stakeholder and external channels and audiences

• Act as one of the primary points of contact for media, partners, ambassadors, and agencies.

• Identify opportunities, prepare media pitches, work directly with leading Canadian media titles, identify internal spokespeople, write briefs and prepare internal spokespeople for live interviews.

• Plan and manage PR campaigns, media events and opportunities within budget using spokespersons, competitors, and ambassadors to ensure positive media coverage and public engagement.

• Develop and implement a strategic speaking engagements plan for senior Invictus Games speakers that supports public awareness and marketing objectives.

• Build and foster strong relationships internally and externally with key partners & stakeholders to align with shared objectives and amplify communication efforts.

• Lead on internal comms strategy: overall internal communications strategy including workforce communications and other integral business comms.

• Create media releases including writing drafts, collecting quotes from relevant internal/external spokespeople, sharing with relevant stakeholders for sign off and building a supporting comms plan around announcements and major milestones.

• Collaborate with the broader team and external partners to gather information, compelling stories, and other related initiatives to transform them into engaging content for various platforms.

• Provides guidance on social media platforms to ensure they are being leveraged to connect with our community and audiences and to provide engaging content that will be amplified.

• Support the development and management of an ambassador program and engage with identified individuals, including former competitors, Veterans and celebrities/influencers aligned with the mission.

• Contribute to issues management strategy including recommendations for positioning, briefing spokespeople etc.

• Support organizational crisis communications efforts by developing contingency plans, preparing key spokespersons, and ensuring accurate and timely communication during challenging situations.

• Support the planning and execution of media operations during the Games.

• Other responsibilities and duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills, Competencies:

• Post-secondary degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

• 4+ years' experience in communications, preferably within the sport, event or non-profit industries.

• Demonstrated experience managing media relationships with regional and national media outlets.

• Strong understanding of strategic communication principles, public and media relations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences. Fluency in French is an asset.

• Proven experience in crisis communications and issues management.

• High capacity to work under pressure and tight deadlines as part of a team.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team and with a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Confidence to brief internal spokespeople for high-profile media opportunities, including members of the Senior Leadership Team

• Can-do, positive attitude, willing to look for a creative solution to problems

• Curiosity, willingness to learn

• Passion for the Invictus Games mission; willingness to deliver the project to the best of your ability, recognizing the need to work longer hours as the Games draw closer and during Games time

The Process:

• We do our best to contact all applicants on the status of their application.

• Successful applicants can expect to receive an invitation to a 15-minute phone call within 8 business days of their application.

• Please note that applicants must already be eligible to work in Canada until February 28, 2025.

• As part of our commitment to safety, the selected candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.

The Invictus Games 2025 is an equal opportunity employer. The diversity of our team is at the core of our success. We actively seek to promote a workplace culture that fosters mutual respect, collaboration, and open communication among all employees.