Please note that the BC Cancer Foundation has partnered with Ivy Group Inc. on the recruitment of this role. All interested applicants may apply through Ivy Group's job site here: https://ivygroup.clockworkrecruiting.com/job_posts/dfc722b4-0bf3-436d-8acb-78ce56cf36ea 

This is the most exciting time in the history of cancer research and care.

We are on the cusp of true transformation. Cancer is the world’s biggest health crisis and the BC Cancer Foundation (BCCF) —the fundraising partner of BC Cancer—has launched an ambitious $500 million comprehensive healthcare campaign to lead this transformation and elevate cancer care for all British Columbians.

With over 90 employees working across five sites in B.C, and annual revenue of over $70 million, we are one of the largest non-profit organizations in B.C. We engage with over 100,000 donors and communities to inspire philanthropic investment in BC Cancer and we partner with some of the world’s leading researchers, oncologists and care providers.

At the BC Cancer Foundation, we are a professional, passionate and positive team who believe that we can help make a positive difference in the lives of all British Columbians and bring us closer to a world free of cancer.

We are driven by a collective purpose to be a catalyst, powering world class innovation while supporting deeply personal cancer patient journeys.

About the Opportunity:

The Content and Communications team is a core function of the Marketing and Communications department. They expand our brand’s reach, elevate BCCF’s reputation as a catalyst powering innovation, and provide the diverse communities we serve with opportunities to connect and share their deeply personal cancer journeys.

The Director, Content and Communications leads direct and indirect reports who support organizational priorities through the creation of on-brand and audience-focused key messages, and compelling content for our owned and earned channels — including organic social, PR, blogs, publications and web content. They understand how to harness the power of deeply meaningful stories, world-class thought leadership, and truly collaborative stakeholder relationships, to inspire action and accelerate change. The Director regularly contributes to strategic discussions and decision making on opportunities affecting BCCF’s key audiences and brand reputation. They are a proven leader, experienced in providing strategic communications counsel to senior leaders.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, key responsibilities will include:

1. Bringing strategic intent to BCCF communications, to strengthen brand reputation and increase donor engagement:

• Develop an integrated content and communications strategy, with clear objectives, targets and budgets, aligned with organizational priorities and program needs. Identify opportunities to elevate BCCF’s brand profile and deepen connections with core audiences across the province.
• Facilitate prioritization of fundraising projects and impact areas for mass communication with senior leadership team.
• Develop and lead BCCF’s thought leadership plan, delivered through blogs, OpEds, events, social media and earned media.
• Proactively bring together and engage key stakeholders including BC Cancer, corporate partners, government and donors on an ongoing basis to identify communications opportunities that align with the organizational strategy and to proactively manage reputational risk.
• Lead the creation of an organizational crisis communications plan and ensure regular training is provided to spokespeople.
• With the Director of Marketing & Brand and Director of Digital, facilitate donor and campaign journey mapping sessions and persona development with team members to ensure campaign plans are aligned across channels and audience insight driven.

2. Provide leadership to a highly engaged, high-performing team:

• Provide clear and timely direction to team members, and reinforce a positive, collaborative culture with strong internal communication within the team and across the organization.
• Develop comprehensive briefs for all large communications campaigns, ensuring there are clear objectives and key messages — with tools and frameworks in place to guide and empower team members who will develop content, PR, influencer, social media, and donor engagement plans.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to the team, supporting their learning, development and growth paths.

3. Ensure high quality execution:

• Guide and approve the rolling three-month content calendar developed by the Communications Manager, ensuring it connects with the BCCF communications strategy and thought leadership plans, and supports organizational priorities.
• Guide the team as they create high performing and on-brief content assets, including magazines, blogs, webpages, social media, videos, presentations, speaking notes, and audio/podcasts.
• Ensure the team has the necessary structure, RACIs, processes and guidelines in place to enable them to remain focused on the highest impact work and efficiently manage large volumes. Manage internal stakeholders to ensure they feel engaged, processes are followed and feedback loops are provided.
• Leverage Asana to understand capacity constraints, proactively manage resources (team and freelance) and prioritize work.
• Monitor and analyze the most critical leading and lagging key performance indicators, to measure effectiveness and power data-driven improvements.
• Accountable for ensuring projects are completed on time and communications adhere to BCCF editorial standards.
• Represent BCCF as a spokesperson at events and with media, when required.

4. Be a trusted advisor for leadership:

• Share with leadership actionable insights and recommendations linked to macro trends, BCCF audiences, our donor journeys across owned and earned channels, and competitors.
• Be the go-to for leadership to develop strategies on how to profile the organization and CEO, and guide messaging for speaking engagements and key meetings.
• Build a monthly internal communications plan for the CEO.

5. Drive forward innovation and best practices:

• Build internal capabilities and drive continuous improvement in content and communications, leveraging best practices.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging communication technologies to identify opportunities. Create an innovation pipeline of activity to test new ideas, develop higher performing content and drive efficiencies in content development.

Qualifications:

• Relevant education and minimum of 10-12 years experience in communications.
• Success in leading strategic content and communications functions at complex, fast-paced organizations.
• At least five years of experience leading and building high-performing teams.

Core knowledge + skills:

• Strong business acumen.
• Strategic and creative thinker, experienced in data-driven, audience-focused communication planning to achieve short and long term goals.
• Excellent written communication and editing skills, and confident speaker.
• Superior project management skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to prioritize, resource plan and ensure on-time delivery of work. Strong process orientation, and the ability to lead a team in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Experience in setting editorial direction for teams, enabling them to find strong story angles, distill technical and complex scientific information into engaging content, and develop effective messaging.
• Collaborative and agile problem solver who can efficiently navigate ambiguity.
• Strong ability to make weighted and thoughtful decisions in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build relationships. Ability to influence and work effectively, proactively and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, senior leaders, and external agencies.
• Solid understanding of media, digital and social platforms, organic search, and content trends. Keen understanding of content and media measurement, optimization and reporting.
• Experience and demonstrated strength in leading, developing and motivating a team.
• You are a quick learner and approach life and work with positivity, professionalism and passion.

Salary Range: $110,000 – $140,000

What We Offer:

• 5 weeks’ vacation plus office closure between Christmas Eve and New Years, as well as half days office closures before each statutory holiday
• Comprehensive benefit package including coverage for health, dental, vision and various paramedical services, plus participation in the Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Participation in the Municipal Pension Plan

BC Cancer Foundation is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, national or Indigenous origin, family or marital status, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.