Who we are
At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values: champion health, practice humility, embrace change, drive impact, learn and grow and be heartfelt as we work together to beat heart disease and stroke.
We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion ― it's embedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about our mission, values, commitment to EDI, and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please visit our website.
The opportunity
Please note H&S offers hybrid option. Candidates can work from anywhere in Canada.
The Senior Manager, Communications - Mission is expected to understand Heart & Stroke's mission work across the country including mission priorities and strategic plans, to help anticipate, plan for and implement communication solutions that maximize support for mission, fundraising, development and other teams. This role contributes to mission storytelling across the organization and is a key partner in the development of integrated marketing and fundraising campaigns and other mission work that reaches mass audiences as well as key decision makers (eg health systems leaders, politicians etc).
As part of a large, cross-functional team, this bilingual role is responsible for contributing to the planning and execution of three annual national integrated marketing and fundraising campaigns. The role works closely with a designated internal team to provide strategic direction and advice and develop the communications strategies to support high priority, highly visible national advocacy campaigns.
Additionally, this role will lead the development of messaging and storytelling across all channels to raise the profile of and strengthen the Heart & Stroke brand and tell the Heart & Stroke mission impact story. This is a highly visible role, both internally and externally working alongside media, health experts, senior volunteers, and decision makers.
How you will make an impact every day
Development and execution of annual national integrated marketing and fundraising campaigns as a strategic mission communications lead.

• Develop and implement communication strategies to grow and maintain Heart & Stroke's position as the credible and authoritative voice on heart disease and stroke.
• Act as a senior representative of the communications function and contribute to the annual planning and execution of national integrated campaigns as a member of a large cross functional team.
• Develop the communications strategy for one of three national integrated campaigns and support two of the three campaigns (Year End, Heart Month, Spring/Stroke Month) with the specific communications goals of garnering earned media, reinforcing brand authority and highlighting mission impact/storytelling.
• Lead the development of the mission story, earned media angle, strategy and accompanying assets (messages, release, social, matte stories etc.) that support mission storytelling to achieve earned media for one of the three integrated fundraising campaigns aligning with/complementing the overall campaign theme with overall accountability to ensure all information is referenced, accurate and correct.
• Support the earned media component including leading the development of some assets and contributing to the development of others for two of the three integrated campaigns.

Plan and execute all communications activities for the assigned files.

• Provide strategic communications direction to mission teams and develop and execute communications strategies/plans that support mission programs and consider all mission focus areas and levers (e.g., policy, advocacy, research and systems change).
• Lead and direct strategy meetings around mission project plan briefings to develop communication strategies to support the overall project objectives.
• Ability to understand complex issues across all mission areas and translate them into messaging/materials appropriate for various audiences, e.g., general public, politicians, senior health systems decision makers etc.
• Write and edit original materials, and act as a major contributor (substantive editing, proofing, fact checking, strategic positioning) to a wide range of mission materials, including stories, campaign assets, messages and reports.
• Review materials/documents from across the organization (e.g., development, fundraising, consumer inquiries) to ensure they align with/support mission messages, evidence and positioning.
• Ability to pivot and change strategy rapidly and strategically in response to new opportunities or direction (e.g., change in government/ministers, new policy announcements etc).
• Ensure integration across all platforms, various audiences (including considering EDI) and languages (primarily English and French) and leverages new technologies (including AI).
• Work with internal teams to support alignment with Heart & Stroke brand (e.g., image, voice/tone, messaging) and ensure Heart & Stroke values are reflected.
• Use storytelling abilities to create narratives that illustrate mission impact and enhance Heart & Stroke brand and thought leadership.
• Triage and/or respond to public inquiries/complaints and ensures they are managed on a timely basis

Public and Media Relations

• Proactively contact media regarding emerging stories/issues to provide comment, statistics, graphics, spokespeople etc.
• Manage and maintain core mission media messages for various topics, including areas that are constantly evolving.
• Continually monitor media to identify and alert mission and other teams regarding issues being covered in the media that could affect the Heart & Stroke brand (positively or negatively) or present opportunities for comments/positioning or message development.
• Develop and maintain positive media relationships to position Heart & Stroke as an authoritative voice of heart and brain health/heart disease and stroke, and a leading health charity in Canada.
• Respond to and/or redirect queries, and secure spokespeople as needed to act on opportunities, using sound judgment to determine involvement, and work closely with closely with senior communications team to manage sensitive media queries.
• Manage, train and develop internal spokespeople and ensure they are well-briefed and prepped for interviews, including providing media training when needed.
• Manage and steward relationships with expert spokespeople (e.g., cardiologists, neurologists and other health professionals) and with people with lived experience to participate in media interviews and events.
• Liaise with external stakeholders to leverage support and coordinate joint media activities which could include health coalitions and government.
• Track and monitor media calls, interviews, issues-related inquiries and coverage.
• Develop media lists as appropriate to opportunities.
• Provide analytic media reports to internal stakeholders as needed.

Who we need
Education
University or College degree in communications, public relations, marketing or business; or related technical degree and combination of equivalent extensive background with strong communications and marketing experience.
Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of communications work experience.
• Experience with the not-for-profit industry with an emphasis on health is an asset.
• Significant experience developing, executing and measuring strategic communications plans and activities.
• Experience developing compelling narratives/stories that illustrate impact and authenticity.
• Experience managing risk and high profile issues.
• Experience and confidence working with media and managing spokespeople.
• Experience with media monitoring and tracking software.
• Experience developing social strategies and content as part of an integrated communications plan.
• Experience working with varied internal teams (science, advocacy, marketing, fundraising) and external suppliers, including PR professionals, writers, designers, etc.
• Experience interacting with executives, senior leaders and volunteers, and elected officials.
• Understanding of social determinants of health, equity, Indigenous health, health policy, advocacy and research is an asset.

Skills

• Bilingualism mandatory – exceptional English verbal and written skills, strong proficiency in French (verbal and comprehension) and basic writing in French.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of media including risk issues and media monitoring.
• Interest in and understanding of the federal political landscape and advocacy leading to policy change/regulations/legislation is an asset.
• Knowledge of communications processes, techniques and activities, including research, strategy, implementation and evaluation.
• Proven success in developing and implementing communications plans and content and measuring results.
• Excellent written communications and editorial skills in different media, with commitment to quality and strategic understanding of message positioning as well as ability to craft impactful and heartfelt stories.
• Excellent technology skills (eg Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Co-Pilot and media monitoring platforms).
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines with advanced organization skills and strong attention to detail.
• Superior verbal communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to diplomatically deal with all levels of staff, volunteers and suppliers, providing impeccable customer service.
• Dedicated team player with an unflappable positive ‘can do' attitude, able to work independently and to collaborate.
• Commitment to innovation, creativity and resourcefulness.
• Flexible, collaborative, adaptable and comfortable working “in the grey” when required, as well as excelling at adapting to and leveraging the different perspectives, skills and strengths of various internal clients including data experts, advocacy/policy teams and marketers and fundraisers.

What we offer
At Heart & Stroke, we make it a priority to foster a culture of caring by implementing practices and programs that foster respect, compassion, trust and attentiveness to our own and others' health and well-being.
In addition to a competitive salary, we believe that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer a generous paid time-off package including vacation days, personal days, wellness days, and paid company-wide closure between December 25 and January 1. We also provide competitive health, medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, an employee assistance program (EAP) and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching. Our employees also enjoy a flexible hybrid working model and reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup, as well as opportunities for professional development.
Apply now
If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke, please apply by sending your resume by September 5, 2025. Applicants must be currently residing in Canada and legally entitled to work in Canada.
Only those candidates that qualify will be selected for an interview. At this time, all interviews are being conducted via phone and/or video call ― we look forward to “virtually” meeting you!
Accommodation
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will do our best to address your needs.

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