Advanced Communications Specialist

Title: Advanced Communications Specialist

Employee Working Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Canada)

Employment Status: Permanent full-time

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) - an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada's Best Employers 2026, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Advanced Communications Specialist provides communications support and specialized advice to assigned programs, services, and internal stakeholders. The role leads the development and execution of communication plans, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, compliant, and tailored to diverse audiences. The Advanced Communications Specialist translates organizational priorities into effective communication approaches, provides guidance on channels and tactics, and supports continuous improvement of communication tools, systems, and practices. This role plays a key part in strengthening service delivery, stakeholder engagement, and communications quality across the sub-unit.

Please note, a cover letter is required to apply for this position

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement communication plans, materials, and initiatives in response to program, service, or functional needs.
• Create compelling content for multiple channels (digital, print, media), ensuring alignment with brand standards, accessibility requirements, and legal/privacy obligations.
• Provide specialized guidance and functional mentoring on messaging, channels, audience engagement, and communications best practices to managers, teams, or Communications Specialists.
• Support media relations and public-facing communications, including preparing content, briefing spokespeople, coordinating responses, and assisting with crisis communications as needed.
• Implement and coordinates communications projects/initiatives, including multi-channel delivery, campaigns, events, and internal communications.
• Collaborate with program leads, internal stakeholders, and external partners to clarify requirements, align messaging, and ensure communications meet strategic and operational objectives.
• Monitor and analyze audience data, engagement metrics, and feedback to identify improvements and recommend
  enhancements to communications approaches and tools.
• Contribute to the stewardship and continuous improvement of communication systems, digital assets, and workflows.
• Identify communication risks and issues, applying judgment to resolve challenges and escalating as needed within established guidelines.
• Participate in cross-functional or enterprise initiatives as a subject-matter contributor.
• Stay current on communications trends, technologies, and best practices to inform advice and day-to-day delivery.

What we are looking for:

• Qualifications include a minimum of 6-9 years' experience and a 3-year college diploma or university degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certifications or designations may be necessary depending on legal or regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate content across a variety of communication channels, with minimal guidance.
• Experience supporting and contributing to the delivery of digital communication initiatives, including social media, website content, and email communications, using established strategies, tools, and standards.
• Experience coordinating and supporting media relations activities, including drafting media materials, preparing background information, and assisting with the management of media inquiries.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt content and delivery approaches across digital platforms to support engagement objectives and improve communication effectiveness.
• Ability to identify complex problems, analyze interrelated factors, assess and mitigate risks, and develop solutions using specialized skills.
• Communication and influence skills to gather perspectives, understand needs, and present information to reach consensus, often in somewhat sensitive situations.
• Fully bilingual in English and French (reading/writing/speaking) and able to perform all of the above responsibilities in both languages.

Working conditions:

Physical Effort

• No unusual physical requirements.

Sensory & Mental Effort

• Requires significant attention to detail and concentration and ability to mentally process large amounts of information.
• The work pace is often unpredictable with significant time pressures.
• Ability to adapt to frequent and often urgent changes in priorities, and make decisions under pressure, work at an unpredictable pace.

Work Environment

• Work will be conducted in an office-like setting.
• Will require travel to safe locations; limited exposure to adverse conditions.
• Work requires the ability to work to deadlines.
• Work requires interactions with dissatisfied clients and the resolution of complex client issues.

• Ability to assume on-call duties on a periodic basis outside of business hours.
• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• In a large-scale emergency, where staff numbers are compromised or additional resources are required provide disaster relief and/or emergency field operational support.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).