Manager of Communications

About this position

Southern Chiefs’ Organization Employment Opportunity

Manager of Communications

OVERVIEW:

SCO is a growing and dynamic regional Indigenous organization that represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 80,000 citizens in southern Manitoba. SCO was established 22 years ago by the Chiefs as an independent organization to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nation peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Manager of Communications will oversee and guide the Communications Team in carrying out SCO’s communications mandate as well as ensure the stylistic and brand integrity of SCO.

The Manager of Communications manages the Communications Team and directs the design, delivery, and regular updates to SCO’s communications strategy, ensuring appropriate tactics are effectively implemented. The Manager of Communications leads creation of communications materials and provides authoritative, professional communications advice, support, and services to the Grand Chief, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and senior leadership team.

SCO provides competitive compensation and an excellent pension and benefits, as well as a positive work environment. 

Salary: $70,000.00 -- $85,000.00 depending on experience

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs the design and delivery of a proactive communications strategy and implementing appropriate tactics including associated plans, products and services to support SCO and ensure effective outreach to, and involvement of, the 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota SCO-member Nations and, as appropriate, regional and national stakeholders.
• Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of media relations, website, public information/ education and publications services, and communications support.
• Specifically develops and leads the design of media content, including but not limited to reports and books (Photo Books, Annual Reports, Survey Reports), speaking notes, press releases, backgrounders, fact sheets, brochures, posters, newsletters, web content, videos and social media posts.
• Leads the creation and implementation of SCO’s social media strategy, including paid social media posts and ads, across SCO’s social media channels.
• Leads the design and development of marketing and branded materials for events and contest prizes for community members and for SCO staff.
• Manages the communications team staff, supporting them in their roles to help ensure individual and team success.
• Provides authoritative, professional communications advice, support, and services to the Grand Chief, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifying and anticipating strategic communications opportunities and campaigns through continuous monitoring of media and social media.
• Providing proactive and authoritative responses to strategic and sensitive issues.
• Ensuring the coordination of media requests in an efficient and timely manner and when required serving as the media liaison on behalf of SCO.
• Organizing and managing press conferences and events.
• Developing and tracking digital activities to gauge effectiveness.
• Directing the delivery of a proactive, professional and cost-effective communications program and leveraging maximum benefits from communications products and associated activities including purchasing goods and services such as NCI radio sponsorship, print ads, and social media boosts to grow audience and influence.
• Establishing strong, proactive networks and linkages with key internal and external clients, stakeholders and partners and ensuring key stakeholders are regularly informed and engaged.
• Developing and maintaining stakeholder and media lists, a communications calendar, and photo library.
• Managing the Communications unit and contract services in support of SCO and its communications function.
• Sitting on communications planning teams e.g. Vaccine Communications Working Group, event planning working groups, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree or college diploma in a related field (communications, journalism, marketing, graphic design, etc.).
• Minimum of five years of experience in the communications and marketing field with demonstrated experience leading effective communications programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital marketing best practices for social media, including search engine optimization, analysis, and basic website management.
• Demonstrated proficiency in desktop publishing and basic graphic design and layout. Experience managing complex design projects undertaken with our graphic firm.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans that support the overall organization’s strategic vision.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and analytics tools, website design software, graphics/editing software (such as Adobe Suite and online tools like Canva), google analytics and other relevant software with experience managing social media calendars and growing followers and engagements.
• Strong writing skills, with experience drafting press releases, op-eds, reports, blogs, newsletters, and social content.
• High attention to detail with experience proofreading and copy-editing materials before sharing with public audiences and others stakeholders.
• Strong media relations skills, with experience managing relationships with media and handling media requests.
• Clearly demonstrated political and business acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate events.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and networks with SCO-member First Nations, Indigenous organizations and municipal, provincial, federal governments, and other stakeholders.
• Connections with and understanding of First Nation communities on and off reserve.
• Ability to speak Dakota or Anishinaabemowin language an asset.
• Proficiency in the use of computers (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, WordPress, Adobe).

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday, August 2, 2021 at 11:59PM CT

Please submit cover letter, resume, and three work related references to:

Human Resources
Southern Chiefs’ Organization
1572 Dublin Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0L4
Fax: (204) 946-1869 | hr@scoinc.mb.ca

*Please note resumes without a cover letter will not be considered complete*

Preference will be given to qualified First Nation candidates

Please self-identify as First Nations in your cover letter

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected will be contacted for further consideration.