Communications Specialist (18-month contract)

 “The best prescription I’ve ever given is a wish.”

-Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, SickKids Hospital & Medical Advisor for Make-A-Wish® Canada

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WISH?

Is it to be part of an organization that is child-focused, values employee experience and is an inspiring workplace? If so, Make-A-Wish is for you!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

“It’s been wonderful to have this wish to look forward to… It’s wonderful to see (Rowan) with something that brings him pure joy after all he’s been through and missed out on!”

–Melissa, mom to wish kid Rowan (age 5, leukemia), who wished for an indoor jungle gym.

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
• A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
• Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• Hybrid working environment
• Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate discounts
• Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
• Fun employee activities, contests, and more!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Communications Specialist to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. In this role you will play a vital role in enhancing the organization’s visibility and engagement through strategic communication initiatives and media relations, with a focus on growing brand awareness in the Ontario chapter.

This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans, as well as managing media relations and content development strategies for various fundraising events and initiatives, ensuring consistency of message and brand and directly contributing to raising funds.

This role can be based out of Toronto (North York – York Mills) or Pickering and is a full-time, 18-month contract (maternity leave replacement), hybrid position. The ideal start date of the contract is in mid-May to allow for transition time, with flexibility available depending on notice period or other factors.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

EVENT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT:

• Develop and execute strategic communication plans, including key messaging, media outreach materials and social media calendars/metrics for national signature events and regional events, with support to select third-party fundraising initiatives.
• Review fundraising event materials for brand compliance.
• Prepare regional crisis communications and issues management plans where relevant and co-lead reactive media statements.
• Act as a media liaison at events and spokesperson where appropriate.
• Support event content creation and/or source, coordinate, and handle photographer and videographer vendors for regional events/wishes where appropriate.
• Liaise with and prepare wish families for event participation as required.

MEDIA RELATIONS:

• Develop and manage relationships with media outlets, identify local editorial media opportunities, solicit paid, discounted or gratis awareness and fundraising advertising from media partners in the community, in conjunction with, and support of national media relations activities.
• Use Meltwater to create media lists, disseminate media releases, monitor and evaluate coverage, and prepare reports for internal distribution.
• Coordinate and prepare stakeholders for media interviews, prepare a briefing document with key messages. 

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT:

• Create and manage content for regional initiatives for all local channels.
• Participate in social media editorial meetings, providing social media metrics.
• Create engaging wish stories and oversee volunteer and freelance writers.
• Partner with select influencers and content creators to support local/regional initiatives in compliance with the national influencer strategy.
• Manage, organize, and maintain video, story and photo archive and other communications materials for internal and external use. 

GENERAL:

• Develop new avenues for awareness initiatives within the region(s). 
• Oversee the training and management of seasonal interns.
• Collaborate with development and mission staff, volunteers, and committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 3-5 years of work experience in communications or related roles.
• Proven ability to generate media coverage, and the ability to be persistent in approaching and communicating with the media and the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build solid relationships with journalists, internal stakeholders, external stakeholders, wish families, and more.
• Experience writing communications plans, strategies and tactics.
• Attention to detail and accuracy, including strong proofreading skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management skills, capable of working independently to deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Office, social media content creation and community management. Experience with Canva, Meltwater, Salesforce, and Dropbox is an asset.
• Bilingual in French and English is an asset.
• Experience in supporting fundraising professionals, and experience in issues management in relation to public relations and brand image, an asset.
• A commitment to and passion for children’s health and charitable work. Understanding the nonprofit landscape is an asset. 
• A clear Criminal Background Check will be required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week) with occasional requirements to work outside of regular office hours.
• Occasional regional travel required – meetings with media outlets and attendance at MAWC first-party events, several times per year.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Work under pressure with multiple tight deadlines, demands, high volume workload, and dynamic/overlapping priorities.
• May be subjective to sensitive situations regarding wish children and families.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is April 15^th, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to:  https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/934

Make-A-Wish Canada provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Reasonable accommodations due to disability are available on request at any stage of the hiring process.  

Our Commitment to IDEA

Make-A-Wish Canada (MAWC) is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We believe that it is essential to our mission that we build a diverse, balanced, and vibrant workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and seek to serve. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, to still apply.

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is swift in pace.  Once applications are reviewed, we will contact our shortlisted candidates.  Our typical process includes a phone screen, one or two interviews, and reference checking, followed by an offer and a criminal background check for the successful candidate.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in working with us!

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 39,000 wishes across the country, over 1,000 last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

For more information on how you can support Make-A-Wish^® Canada or get involved please visit our website at makeawish.ca.