Program officer Jobs in Calgary, AB

NATURE OF THE POSITION AND GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Coordinator primarily supports public communications, media relations, organizational promotion, and visibility initiatives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement, and update strategic communications and marketing plans aligned with the organization's strategic plan and priorities.
• Advise the Executive Director and leadership team on communication strategies, institutional positioning, target audiences, key messaging, and reputational risks.
• Establish communication standards, processes, editorial calendars, and approval workflows to ensure consistency, quality, and timely delivery.

Supervision and Collaboration with the Communications Officer

• Supervise, mentor, and work closely with the Communications Officer; assign projects, establish priorities, and monitor timelines and deliverables.
• Foster the professional development, creativity, collaboration, and accountability of the Communications Officer.
• Coordinate external vendors and specialized partners, as required, while ensuring compliance with FrancoSud's budgets and quality standards.

Corporate Communications and Media Relations

• Prepare, review, and distribute corporate communications, including press releases, executive messages, speeches, newsletters, reports, public notices, and informational materials.
• Serve as the primary contact for media relations, coordinate interview requests, and prepare organizational spokespersons.
• Conduct media and digital monitoring, identify emerging issues, and recommend appropriate communication strategies.

Marketing, Digital Communications, and Brand Management

• Develop FrancoSud's marketing strategy and design integrated campaigns to increase student enrollment, improve student retention, strengthen community engagement, and showcase the achievements of the School Division and its schools.
• Define target audiences, objectives, communication channels, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs); analyze campaign performance and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Oversee the editorial governance of the website, social media channels, digital platforms, and mass communication tools.
• Ensure consistent application of FrancoSud's visual identity, brand standards, and institutional voice across all communications produced by the School Division and its schools.

Crisis Communications, Public Relations, and Events

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of emergency and crisis communication protocols.
• Under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinate communications during urgent, sensitive, or high-profile situations that may have media or reputational implications.
• Promote and highlight the achievements of students, employees, schools, and community partners.
• Plan and support press conferences, official announcements, public consultations, ceremonies, and other institutional events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Progressive experience in strategic communications, marketing, public relations, or corporate communications, including experience coordinating projects and supervising staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French and English.
• Experience in media relations, strategic writing, integrated marketing, digital communications, brand management, promotional campaigns, and crisis communications.
• Knowledge of the education sector, Alberta's Francophone community, or the public sector is considered an asset.
• A portfolio demonstrating communications and marketing achievements is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound professional judgment, and the ability to prioritize effectively in a complex environment.
• Exceptional writing and editorial skills, political awareness, and the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Creativity, strategic thinking, attention to detail, discretion, and outstanding organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, departments, schools, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency with digital platforms, social media, content management systems (WordPress), and modern performance measurement and analytics practices.
• Ability to work effectively with external service providers and prepare clear, well-structured creative briefs for web, video, and graphic design projects.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to support events, emergencies, or crisis situations.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to schools and communities served by FrancoSud. A valid driver's license is required.
• Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality and complying with approval protocols and applicable legislative requirements.