Strategic Communications Advisor

Title: Strategic Communications Advisor

Employee Work Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Montreal, QC)

Employment Status: Temporary Full Time (12 months)

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) is an inspirational non‑profit organization that helps people and communities in Canada and around the world during times of need and works to strengthen resilience. Recognised as Canada’s Best Employers 2024, the organisation is committed to an accessible, diverse, inclusive and barrier‑free work environment.

Reporting to the communications department team, the incumbent will provide integrated communications expertise for the programs, services and initiatives of the Red Cross in Quebec and within the Canadian Francophonie. Working with internal and external stakeholders, they will strengthen relationships and enhance the organisation’s reputation and impact through engaging multi‑platform communications plans and strategies. The role will contribute to coordination and monitoring of team priorities, identify target audiences, craft compelling messaging and ensure consistency across audio, visual and written content.

Responsibilities

Responsibility 1 – Coordination and co‑development

• Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated communication initiatives and projects that promote the success of the organisation’s actions in Quebec and the Canadian Francophonie.
• Support seamless coordination of team priorities by promoting collaboration and optimisation of work tools.
• Manage and support the communications volunteer team, providing resources and instructions to carry out their mission collaboratively.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices, recommend improvements to increase the effectiveness and impact of communications and promote best practices internally.
• On a rotating schedule, monitor traditional and/or social media during and outside working hours.
• Participate in the documentation and evaluation of projects under responsibility.
• Contribute to the preparation of activity reports and analyses.

Responsibility 2 – Integrated communication

• Contribute to the reputation of the Red Cross and its brand management in Quebec and the Canadian Francophonie.
• Provide strategic support in integrated communications to various internal departments and maximise the reach of messages through diverse channels.
• Ensure consistency with CRC identity and develop proactive and reactive positioning tactics based on context.
• Draft, review and update communication content, ensuring consistency of tone and relevance of messages.
• Prepare and review briefing notes, key messages, Q&A documents, speeches, presentations, brochures and other support materials.
• Create and manage multimedia content (video, text, images) and develop content tailored to digital platforms (website, social media). Produce articles, videos and visuals to maximise message impact and engagement.
• Help identify and train spokespersons, ensuring their communications are accurate, clear and reliable.
• Act as head of Communications within Disaster Response Teams and provide operational support for crisis management, content collection and publishing, media management and guest relations.
• Represent the organisation as point of contact at events or media engagements.
• Participate in meetings in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada as required by the Director.

What We Are Looking For

• Open, curious and creative mindset.
• Outstanding judgement, balanced with confidence, professionalism, thoroughness and energy.
• Initiative, organisational skills and results‑oriented approach.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with internal clients, suppliers, journalists and other partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure in a humanitarian context that may be challenging.
• University degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in integrated communications (experience in a public or non‑governmental organisation is an asset) or equivalent.
• Strong proficiency in writing and storytelling for diverse audiences and platforms.
• Experience in crisis management and emergency communications.
• Strong understanding of social media, digital ecosystems and multi‑platform strategies.
• Excellent ability to caption and showcase multimedia content.
• Ability to understand diverse perspectives, reach consensus and manage complex situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Adaptability in a constantly changing context.
• Understanding of humanitarian and philanthropic issues (knowledge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an asset).
• Bilingualism (English/French), with excellent spoken and written French.
• Proficiency in standard computer applications and content management and publishing platforms.

Working Conditions

• Adhere to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Fundamental Principles.
• Hybrid position with regular in‑office days in Montreal; the incumbent must be able to travel on site and across Canada when required.
• Ability to participate in communications monitoring and on‑call duty (nights and weekends) as needed.
• Ability to occasionally work non‑traditional hours during emergency situations and humanitarian deployments.
• Access to the full range of CRC benefits.
• Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform responsibilities in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: current applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. Visa requirements should be reviewed as needed.
• Selected candidates will complete a pre‑employment screening process including a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E‑PIC).

Additional Information

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Health Care Provider, Public Relations, and Education
• Industries: Non‑profit Organizations, Hospitals and Health Care, International Affairs