Communications Manager

MANDATE

This role plans and implements communication activities through efficient and effective use of the LivingWorks Communications Systems. The Communications Manager contributes by empowering our business units to succeed, bringing LivingWorks' story to life, and supporting overall organizational success.

The Communications Manager ensures the effective delivery of internal and external communications by proactively addressing the communication needs of various stakeholders and maintaining a structured Communications Model that optimizes efficiency. The services in this position's portfolio primarily focus on communications planning under the strategic direction of key stakeholders. This role will provide management and support to the communications roles including traditional and digital marketing, journalism, social media functions, and needs of other organizational stakeholders.

KEY OUTCOMES

Effective Communication Systems: LivingWorks communication system is designed to be efficient, ensuring that all marketing, internal, external, and product development messages are consistent and aligned with our goals. It includes a user-friendly Vault and Library, along with Communication Guides and an Index, making it easy to access and share important communication materials.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Strong teamwork exists between communications and key departments such as Marketing, Business Development, and Training & Delivery. Stakeholders understand how our communication system works and are actively involved in using it to engage effectively with the LivingWorks Communications Model.

Strategic Alignment: Communications are aligned with LivingWorks' Vision, Mission and strategy, ensuring that the Communications Plan supports the Marketing Plan and overall organizational objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Communications System and Planning

• Lead the implementation and ongoing management of the Communications System, ensuring alignment with internal and external communications needs.
• Using a standardized Communication Model, identify stakeholder needs for communications assets and plans.
• Proactively build a library of communications assets, ensuring that existing assets are available for generic, modifiable, and custom use.
• In collaboration with the rest of the Innovation team, ensure that all communications assets and supporting guides meet stakeholder needs and are securely stored and indexed for easy retrieval.
• Where required assets do not exist, design new communication assets with supporting guides, and develop communication plans that fulfill stakeholder needs.
• Through implementation plans, ensure stakeholders have access to and are trained to utilize developed assets, and can effectively participate in communications plans.
• Monitor and review communications projects to ensure they meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations.
• Facilitate access to and training for stakeholders to ensure they can effectively utilize communication assets and plans.

Communications Supervision

• Manage and mentor the Communications team, providing ongoing coaching, guidance, and feedback.
• Conduct regular meetings with the communications team and other relevant stakeholders to ensure capacity awareness and alignment on current and future projects.
• Ensure the communications team consistently delivers exceptional customer service through timely, clear, and professional communications to internal and external customers.
• Oversee and support the communications team in executing communication and marketing assets.

Marketing and Communications Strategy:

• Actively contribute to the Marketing Committee (and other relevant cross-functional groups) and collaborate with stakeholders to implement the Marketing Plans, identifying and anticipating communications needs.
• Develop and manage the Communications Plan, ensuring it aligns with the Marketing Plan and other strategic initiatives.
• Use the Communications System to proactively create, maintain, and distribute marketing assets, reducing last-minute requests and fostering a strategic communications environment.
• Ensure that all marketing and communications materials are designed to utilize and align with the Vault and Library and the Communications System.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Communications, Marketing or related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, and/or journalism, including social media, storytelling, and developing promotional materials.
• Experience in a management position with proven ability to lead and inspire teams towards achieving common goals.
• Exceptional Computer proficiency (experience with Smartsheet and/or WordPress considered an asset).
• Familiarity with mental health or suicide prevention field considered an asset.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Expertise in Communication Theory and its application to real-world projects.
• Excellent time management skills to effectively manage competing priorities, and, coordinating with stakeholders across various global time zones.
• Ability to problem solve - identifying issues and develop practical solutions to overcome obstacles.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas clearly.
• Social Media Experience in content creation, community-building, and optimizing social ads.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with a talent for creating engaging copy.
• Growth-oriented mindset to learn from experiments and explore new ideas.
• Positive and Kind Leadership Style - leads by example with integrity and respect, creating a culture of trust and cooperation.
• Compassion and sensitivity around the issues of suicide and mental health.