Job Posting Manager, Communications Closing Date: June 6, 2014 Organization: Work location: Authorized to Work in: Right To Play Toronto, Canada Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen or permanent resident) BACKGROUND: Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps one million children weekly in more than 20 countries to build essential life skills and better futures, while driving lasting social change. Founded in 2000 by four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and regional offices in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 13,500 volunteer Coaches. JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the National Director, Canadian National Office, the Manager, Communications is responsible for developing and executing all aspects of communications strategy for Canada. The role also is responsible for raising awareness for Right To Play through strong brand management, digital and traditional media that contributes to fundraising efforts. The Manager, Communications will also support the Canadian National Office in developing and distributing materials effectively to steward the Right To Play brand and contribute to revenue generation. This position also works closely with the VP of Marketing & Communications and the global communications team. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Job Responsibility #1: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS (40% of Time): Develop and execute annual strategic communications plan Provide guidance and support in creating, editing and distributing materials to be used as fundraising, marketing or awareness tools Annual Reports Revise and edit Canadian National Office content. Compile photos for general layout. Ensure brand consistency across HQ and PLAY communications. Newsletters
Collaborate with the Canadian National Office team to coordinate newsletter content Write and edit articles, to be hosted on Canadian National Office website and newsletters. Website and social media: Manage online engagement and social media presence through: - Twitter - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook oversight of content for the Right To Play Canada website Communicate results proactively externally through Canadian and international websites and newsletters. Participate in high-level media relations, strategy, and coordination/planning for Canadian and international events or campaigns (e.g, Olympic Games, FIS, major funding announcements, government events at the federal and provincial level, etc.). Job Responsibility #2: MEDIA RELATIONS (30% of Time): Cultivate media relationships that work to benefit the Right To Play brand on a national level. Develop and maintain media monitoring systems on daily and quarterly basis, to ensure awareness of our coverage and to contribute statistics to Balanced Score Card. Be able to pitch to media contacts relevant news stories and write matt stories or Op Eds. Facilitate interviews with appropriate representatives for media opportunities. Draft press releases and media advisories for national campaigns, partnerships, and events. Work in cooperation with National Office media / communications representatives to target media in local and global markets and support international media relations efforts. Maintain contact information and relationships with external service providers, e.g. printers, designers, photographers, videographers, media, and public relations. Job Responsibility #3: INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS (15% of Time): Support Canadian National Office staff as needed. Educate the office on Internal Communication Memos (ICMs) to outline protocols for information sharing / best practices and streamlined processes adapted for Canada from HQ on quarterly basis and on request. Participate in calls with International Communications representatives for sharing updates and best practices. Job Responsibility #4: STEWARD THE BRAND (15% of Time): Steward messaging and positioning. Develop new materials and support staff in incorporating updated language into daily usage.
Support in distributing Style Guides, Brand Book, Abridged Brand Book and Schools Brand Book guidelines to ensure standardized usage of our trademarked images, names, and taglines across the organization. Monitor adherence to brand guidelines across the organization and externally, and addressing issues when necessary. Use merchandise effectively during external opportunities (events, key meetings, media launches) to increase brand awareness and support fundraising. EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Degree in Communications/PR/Marketing Desired (asset): Experience with SharePoint and design software s (i.e. imovie, InDesign) EXPERIENCE 7+ years progressive experience in corporate or non-profit communications, with a background in reputation management, media relations, public relations and business development Exceptional written communication skills with experience in developing successful executive communications, corporate communications, and marketing collateral Demonstrated success in media relations and a firm knowledge of the media, and current trends Ability to own the strategic communication planning process, while leading and managing a team through project planning and execution Track record of developing and executing successful communications programs as well as other applicable activities Experience in an international development context an asset Training in communications for behaviour change and/or social mobilization an asset COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Adjust quickly to new cultural environments Ability to attract, motivate, retain, empower and coach staff Prioritize and manage heavy workload Familiarity with and interest in sport is an asset Ability to speak other languages (particularly French) is an asset
Willingness to travel as required KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS: Excellent working knowledge of the media landscape, understanding of social media activation and community engagement, Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) Desired (asset): Experience in non-profit sector, particularly international development DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY: General Accountability The Communications Manager provides strategic communications oversight to all of the teams within the Canadian National Office. The priority of this position is to provide functional/technical guidance, assistance, advice, and expertise. Financial Accountability: Management of the budgets directly aligned with communications. CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS External: Media Implementing & Funding Partners Internal: Canadian National Office Team VP Marketing & Communications Global Communications team
Compensation: Employment Start Date: Contract Duration: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package ASAP Indefinite HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to: hr@righttoplay.com and kindly include Manager, Communications-RTP and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com. Right To Play - Human Resources Philosophy Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses the power of sport and play to improve the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. We believe that all children have the right to play. Right To Play s human resources philosophy reflects the spirit that drives the organization. The philosophy influences the kind of people who are interested in working for us, the kind of people we recruit and how we treat our people. Right To Play s culture is entrepreneurial, where employees are encouraged and empowered to perform in the context of rapid international growth, and to aim for the highest quality and adopt global best practices in delivering our programs. Our employees are global citizens who are passionate about improving the world we live in through value-based grassroots activities. We work on the ground with and through people in the communities we serve to improve the lives of their children. By having a constant presence in these communities and helping them develop the resources and skills they need to help themselves, we aim for sustainable, long-term development. To translate our vision into action, our philosophy for delivering our programs is LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER. Our employees are the backbone of this delivery, and the philosophy supports them by defining the desired outcomes of our human resources philosophy. This means that we pay competitive salaries, provide comprehensive benefits, encourage employee social events, provide development opportunities and a great work environment. We measure the success of this philosophy by indicators such as employee satisfaction surveys and staff turnover rate, as well as the overall success of Right To Play.