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About Us

Wittington Investments Limited a private Canadian company is the holding company of the Weston group of companies which includes George Weston Limited Loblaw Companies Limited and Choice Properties REIT.

George Weston Limited is a Canadian public company founded in 1882. George Weston has two operating segments: Loblaw Companies Limited Canadas largest food and drug retailer and a provider of financial services and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Canadas largest and preeminent diversified REIT. With over 200000 employees working at George Weston and its operating segments the group of companies represent one of Canadas largest private sector employers.

Job Description

Senior Communications Manager

About the Foundation

At the Weston Family Foundation (formerly The W. Garfield Weston Foundation) more than 60 years of philanthropy have taught us that theres a relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy people. Thats why we champion world-class health research and innovation with the same passion that we support initiatives to protect and restore biodiversity on our unique landscapes. We take a collaborative approach to philanthropy working alongside forward-thinking partners to advance Canada and create lasting impacts. We aspire to do more than provide funding as we enable others to find transformational ways to improve the well-being of Canadians.

At the Weston Family Foundation we are invested in the well-being of all Canadians. Our national identity encompasses a wide range of perspectives ideas and experiences. We aspire to develop and celebrate these differences in our working strategies and overall philosophy. We strive to take a mindful deliberate approach and to adopt policies and practices that advance and value diversity equity inclusion and belonging within the foundation our operations and our extended community. This approach is always evolving it includes dedicating time and resources towards equitable hiring and communications and cultivating a safe welcoming and accessible work environment. Our firm belief is that by taking this outlook we will increase the beneficial impact of our philanthropy.

The Role

As we sharpen our strategic focus the Foundation needs a strong communications leader who can distill complexity into clarity align diverse stakeholders and ensure every message advances our priorities. This role will be critical in bringing discipline cohesion and impact to our voice at a pivotal moment. The Senior Communications Manager will support and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for the Weston Family Foundation. The Manager provides leadership through a highly consultative approach with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders in areas that include marketing content development measurement project management and social and digital communications. This role manages marketing and communications projects and the development of materials and leads all communications and public relations activities designed to promote and build the reputation and work of the Weston Family Foundation.

As we sharpen our strategic focus the Foundation needs a strong communications leader who can distill complexity into clarity align diverse stakeholders and ensure every message advances our priorities. This role will be critical in bringing discipline cohesion and impact to our voice at a pivotal moment. The Senior Communications Manager will support and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for the Weston Family Foundation. The Manager provides leadership through a highly consultative approach with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders in areas that include marketing content development measurement project management and social and digital communications. This role manages marketing and communications projects and the development of materials and leads all communications and public relations activities designed to promote and build the reputation and work of the Weston Family Foundation.

This includes:

• Support to Senior Director of Communications in all Foundation communications and thought leadership activities including strategic planning grant calls and announcements media relations recognition measurement and evaluation.
• Strategic oversight and integration of social and digital communications channels (including websites and social and digital media).
• Managing developing and enforcing brand and visual identity consistency with all internal and external materials.
• Offering communications support to all Foundation Board Directors and staff.
• Serving as a liaison internally with Wittington colleagues and externally with third party vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative

• Support Senior Director of Communications with invoicing and annual budget setting and tracking.
• Manage Weston Family Foundation communications inbox.
• Oversee and managing editorial calendar.
• Support management of third-party vendors.
• Support management of SharePoint site.

External Communications:

Digital communication

• Oversee management of websites (regular updates program calls and announcements track and report on websites and outreach analytics).
• Monitor and explore emerging trends in digital media.

Social media

• Monitor and explore new and emerging platforms.
• Regular attention to and review of social strategy.
• Oversee management of annual editorial calendar and Foundation communications around it.

Measurement and Evaluation

• Lead on capturing and leveraging insights and data from media monitoring services (Meltwater) and email advertising platforms (MailChimp).
• Lead on setting benchmarks and tracking analytics for all communications activities across the Foundation.
• Manage implementation and execution of program wrap reports.

Media Relations

• Regularly monitor online activity about Foundation and programs and identify and leverage opportunities to position the organizations voice and brand.
• Develop media lists and build relationships with key media through outreach.

• Liaise with program directors and grantees to gather relevant information.
• Support with development of media materials (provide writing capacity and expertise (key message speeches op-eds web copy blog entries etc.).
• Gather share and archive all Foundation media coverage.

List Management

• Lead and proficiency in email marketing tools like Mail Chimp.
• Oversee management of email contact lists in consultation with team.
• Ensure compliance for Foundation email outreach.
• Support grant calls.

Recognition

• Ensure compliance of Foundation recognition based on brand guidelines.
• Liaise with grantees for recognition needs and ensure appropriate recognition.
• Coordinate sign off on all signage and permanent Foundation logo/name use including director sign off when appropriate.
• Monitor Foundation recognition regularly and correct misuse or lack of recognition.
• Regular strategic review of spokespeople (who when) and update process when necessary.

Brand

• Regular review and updates of brand guidelines including extended branding. Lead the revision of existing brand guidelines (including extending branding including secondary colours and icons).
• Liaise with design partner for updates.
• Manage and enforce brand and visual identity consistency with all internal and external materials and stakeholders.

Internal communications

• Share updates on communications priorities with Foundation staff and liaise with Wittington on all internal communication.
• Support Senior Director of Communications with socialization of the strategic role of communications in achieving impact.
• Support with BOD presentations and materials including weekly Foundation communications updates and monthly BOD updates.
• Develop and implement internal learning opportunities (i.e. lunch and learns on topics of interest to staff)
• Support and build standardized processes and resources.
• Lead on project management for communications and marketing activities

What do you need to succeed

• Post-secondary education in Communications Journalism Public Relations or another related field
• 7years in a communications and/or marketing role with multiple portfolios in high-pace environment; experience in agency or charitable sector is an asset.
• Proven track record in communications with an understanding of internal and external audiences as well as the needs of different portfolios within the Foundation.
• Exceptional written communications skills including editing proofreading and a keen attention to detail with the ability to translate niche and academic lingo for diverse external audiences.
• Strategic storytelling for the Foundation along with the focus areas.
• Proven ability to work within a collaborative team environment and as a trusted advisor.
• Sound project management with the ability to implement tasks and manage competing priorities.
• Design skills including PowerPoint Adobe Suite and Canva
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships.
• Strong organization skills with the ability to muti-task work independently exercise judgment and deliver measurable results within prescribed timeframes.
• Familiarity with monitoring and email marketing tools an asset (i.e. Meltwater and MailChimp).

Nice to haves:

• Bilingual (English/French) an asset
• Experience with science communications an asset
• Experience with government relations and/or events management an asset
• Familiarity with Smart Simple an asset

What the Weston Family Foundation can offer:

• Lead with impact in a collaborative inclusive culture.
• Competitive compensation tied to scope and results ($89000 - $112000)
• Short Term Incentive Program (STIP) that rewards results
• Flexible health benefits from day one
• Pension plan eligibility after one year to support long term financial security.
• Employee Share Ownership and Unit Purchase programs starting day one.
• Investment in your growth including annual tuition reimbursement and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing programs that support balance focus and resilience

The Weston Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We know our success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all our employees and that diverse backgrounds and experiences make our business stronger. If you are contacted for a job opportunity and require accommodation please email so we can ensure you have an accessible candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. All requests are confidential and used only to meet candidate needs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our recruitment process which could include screening assessing or evaluating candidates. All hiring decisions include human review and oversight.

We thank all applicants for showing interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Number of Openings

Wittington recognizes Canadas diversity as a source of national pride and strength. We have made it a priority to reflect our nations evolving diversity in the people we hire and the culture we create in our organization. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

In addition we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing. Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.

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