Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing

DATE: July 10^th,2024                                                                                                                         
LOCATION: Toronto, ON – Development & Communications Team
COMPENSATION: $85,120 – $105,756 Annually Prorated

To help fulfill its mission, LOFT is hiring a Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Development & Communications, the successful candidate will lead the development and execution of the LOFT’s communications and marketing plan. Working in close collaboration with the VP, Development & Communications, the incumbent manages a range of activities and portfolios, including overseeing the creation and delivery of an external communications plan that informs, celebrates and engages the public; leads communications and marketing, and branding efforts; oversees the development of creative briefs, requests for proposals, and campaign creatives; identifying and pursuing media opportunities to communicate the organization’s mission and values; and applying an equity lens to the development of protocols and guidelines around the collection and distribution of stories/images. The successful candidate is an initiative-taker capable of mobilizing resources and navigating networks to bring communication and marketing initiatives that move the heart and soul to life.

LOFT’s Development team is responsible for securing the financial resources and capital to support the organization’s Vision and Mission. Through fundraising campaigns, grant writing, donor relations, major gift cultivation, marketing communications, and event planning, the team builds and nurtures relationships with donors, foundations, and businesses to generate funds that enable the organization to operate and provide initiatives that support the needs of LOFT clients. The department works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Fundraising Committee to communicate the organization’s goals and impact and encourage growth and success.

What You Will Do
Storytelling

• Drive LOFT’s storytelling through respectful collaboration with clients to tell diverse and strengths-based stories of client success, with a dual purpose of advancing LOFT’s mission and growing development revenue.
• Be the primary writer for LOFT’s communications and marketing materials, including newsletters, direct mail and marketing, annual reports, etc.
• When required, work closely with external writers to ensure close adherence to LOFT’s tone, positioning and style.
• Research, conduct interviews, and synthesize information to create high-quality written materials in various styles for websites, newsletters, presentations, etc.
• Support VP, Development & Communications with targeted communications to major gift donors, Board members, etc.

Media Relations

• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of issues in the non-profit sector related to homelessness, mental health, addiction, etc., by tracking new research, policy trends, and programmatic developments to develop strategies and identify news hooks to achieve media coverage.
• Propose ideas proactively for media pitches to stimulate media coverage.
• Coordinate media inquiries and official responses.
• Secure strategic media placements assisting organizational reputation and programming and development goals.
• Execute media relations outreach for special events, programs and major initiatives.
• Support framing and developing main message points for better positioning before media interviews.
• Write pitches, backgrounders, press releases, key messages, and blog posts; prepare speeches, talk points, and varied communications materials to assist CEOs and other senior leaders.

Marketing

• Manage the creative development of all print and digital collateral to support fundraising and brand-building initiatives, facilitate all approvals and manage the production and distribution process.
• Work with external suppliers to create exceptional and effective digital marketing materials for fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Development Team to create marketing support for new fundraising initiatives, such as planned giving.
• Create effective monitoring and analysis capabilities so that the results of marketing tools and initiatives can be accurately measured.
• Lead the production of video and digital content for events, websites, fundraising and marketing.
• Track analytics, both measurable and anecdotal, to help assess success and make recommendations for future strategies and activities
• Manage the LOFT’s marketing budget in conjunction with the VP.

Brand Development

• Supported brand creative development from conception through production and execution, including management of agency partners.
• In collaboration with the Development & Communications team, support the development of cases for support, digital and print campaign fundraising materials, and planning and implementation of fundraising marketing campaigns as required.

Website and Social Media
Oversee the work of and collaborate with the Digital Marketing Coordinator to:

• Integrate social media, social networking tools, and multi-media into LOFT’s communications, marketing and PR strategies.
• Manage LOFT’s website’s content, visuals, and technical aspects, including ongoing development to enhance its effectiveness as an awareness and fundraising tool.
• Increase the use of social media to support building the brand and fundraising.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and current topics to procure high-quality social media content to enhance LOFT brand awareness.

Strategy Development

• Support the VP of Development & Communications in developing and implementing LOFT’s communications and marketing strategy.
• Ensure all communication messaging and materials are aligned to strengthen the brand and support fundraising.
• Drive and build on innovative ways to market LOFT’s mission, vision and values through dynamic content to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

What You Bring
Must Haves

• Post-secondary education in communications, marketing, or equivalent experience.
• ​Seven or more years of experience in communications and/or marketing, ideally in a not-for-profit or social service setting.
• Commitment to LOFT’s mission of serving people with complex health challenges, addictions, and poverty.
• Understanding of cultural competency and anti-oppression framework
• Proven experience with anti-racist and DEI practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a verbal and written collaborative approach and the ability to write for different audiences or types of media.
• Solid understanding of the communications planning process and experience communicating with internal and external audiences.
• Experience in website communication and development and using online tools such as social media to support broader integrated marketing strategies.
• Experience using relevant technology such as Microsoft Publisher, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, WordPress, MailChimp, and Adobe.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities from diverse sources enhanced by problem-solving capabilities to meet deadlines without compromising quality.
• Demonstrate ownership and responsibility in your work.
• Natural curiosity and drive to investigate and resolve issues.
• Flexible and adaptable in an evolving organization.
• Strong commitment to skills development and learning.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with diplomacy.
• Strong planning, data, and financial analysis capabilities.
• Excellent customer service skills for supporting partners, volunteers, and donors.
• Discretion of sensitive and confidential information.

Nice-to-Haves

• Reflective of a multi-barrier group, as serviced by the program, a strong asset.
• The ability to communicate in a different language is an asset.

What We Offer

• A comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
• Defined Benefits Pension Plan
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• E-learning program available all year round
• Starting vacation time above minimum standard,
• Maternity Leave Top-Up Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Additional paid personal and paid sick days
• Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness
• Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program
• Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• A chance to push your ideas from inception to execution
• Satisfying work with a fun, energetic and supportive leader
• An opportunity to be a change maker in an organization that reaches people that are often overlooked

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that everyone can grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that we can all live successfully together in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community, and LOFT’s goal is to build a workforce that reflects that diversity. LOFT believes many ways exist to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you do not “tick all
the boxes” but think you would thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.

Note: All LOFT employees are required to be COVID-19 vaccinated as a condition of hire in accordance with LOFT’s Vaccination Policy unless they are employed in or regularly work with staff who are employed in non-client-facing roles.

Note: A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.

CLOSING DATE: July 24th, 2024