Specialist, Strategic Communications

POSITION

SpecialistStrategic Communications

ORGANIZATION

Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO)

LOCATION

Toronto ON(Hybrid)

HIRING SALARY RANGE

$64000 - $78000 (annual)

About theOrganization

Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO)representsover 150 organizations that provide front-line substance use addiction and mental health support and services. AMHO members support Ontarians through their mental health and substance use health challenges by providing community-based and hospital-based services including counselling structured psychotherapy case management crisis support withdrawal management live-in addictions treatment peer support and consumer-survivor programs harm reduction and supportive housing.

We engage our members government and allies to lead change that will revolutionize the addiction and mental health care experience for people in Ontario. AMHO is known for its thoughtful evidence-informed research projects policy advocacy capacity building and system transformation initiatives knowledge exchange education and quality improvement programs. We are a small energetic and nimble team dedicated to advancing AMHOs mission.

In addition to market competitive compensation we offer an industry-leading benefits package including health and dental coverage a defined-benefit pension plan (HOOPP)generous paid timeoffand the flexibility of a hybrid work environment.

AbouttheOpportunity

Reporting to the Director Communications and Public Affairs theSpecialistStrategic Communicationsis responsible forleadingsupportingand executing strategic communications and public affairs initiatives that advance the organizations mission and amplify the voice of its members across Ontarios mental health and addictions sector. Through effective storytelling public awareness campaigns and targeted communications theSpecialiststrengthens the organizations influenceandfosters understandingof AMHOs goals.

KeyAccountabilities/Responsibilities

Communications Storytelling and Campaigns

• Translate complex system-level issues intoaccessiblepersuasive narratives for government AMHO members media and the public.

• Createcompelling contentdriving member engagement and public awareness through human-centered storiescomprehensive membertoolkitsop-eds presentations and digital campaigns.

• Supportthe execution ofcampaign rolloutsoverseeing contentdevelopment preparingmember-facingtoolkits managing timelines and tracking engagement.

• Steward the organizations brand and message platform ensuring a consistent tone terminologyand positioning across communications.

• Collaborate with communicationspolicy and external consultants to ensure content is on-brand evidence-informed and audience-specific.

• Identifyand uplift community voices provider stories and the perspectives of individuals with lived experience to help strengthen AMHOs advocacy.

• Provide creative direction and review for high-profile materials; ensure content isappropriateand effective for intended audiences and channels.

Government Relations

• Support the implementation of AMHOs public affairs strategy and government relations plan.

• Contribute to issue-specific policy submissions support letters and media engagement.

• Work with the Director Membership to engage AMHO members in the development of materials webinars and training to support member mobilization.

Project Management and Strategic Operations

• Manage multipleprojects and campaigns ensuring timelines deliverables and budgetsstayon track.

• Track key metrics and prepare reports on sector impact media coverage member engagement and campaign performance.

• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignmentwithmember priorities.

• Support collaboration with AMHOs key external partners in the mental health and addiction sector to advance AMHOs priorities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degreecollegediplomaoran equivalentcombination of education training and experience. Specialtyin communications journalism political science or a related fieldis preferred.

• Minimum three years (3)experience in public affairs communications marketing journalism or political campaigning.

• Experiencewith community-based health or social services particularly mental health substanceusehealthand addictions is an asset.

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

• Exceptional writing and content development skills withthe ability to communicate complex ideas persuasively and clearly for diverse audiences and platforms.

• Able to assess complex situations drawing insights to inform targeted and effective communication strategies.

• Strong project management skills including experience with timelines budgets and KPIs.

• Understanding ofOntarios political landscape andeffective government relations strategies.

• Strong understanding of digitalmarketingand social media strategies particularly in amplifying campaigns or calls to action.

• Comfort using digital tools such as project management software CRM systemsWordPressand media monitoring platforms.

• An understanding of visual content development (e.g. basic design principles or tools) is an asset.

• Highly collaborative individual that thrives in a team environment.

• Highly proficient with Microsoft 365 (e.g. Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook Teams) and online meeting platforms such as Zoom.

• Fluency in written and spoken English; Frenchproficiencyis considered an asset.

Pleaseinform usif you require any accommodation during the hiring process. We thank all applicants inadvancehowever only those under consideration will be contacted.

Addictions and Mental Health Ontarioisan equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building an inclusive diverseaccessibleand respectful always encourages people with lived experience with addiction and mental health service delivery to apply.

Pleasenote:we are only accepting applications from those authorized to work in Canada and we are not currently sponsoring any work visas.

AMHO is working in partnership with HR à la carte for our recruitment efforts.

Use of AI in Hiring: Some stages of our recruitment process may use AI-assisted tools to support recruitment efforts; however all applications are screened and assessed by human addition all final hiring decisions are made by humans.