Identifying Information

Job Title:          Communications & Grants Specialist

Program Area:  Strategy & Governance

Job Level:         Program Specialist

Reports to:        Director, Strategy & Governance

Organization Summary

CMHA-Edmonton Region (CMHA-ER) is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to ensure that all people experience good mental health and well-being. We increase awareness and understanding of mental health, mental illness, recovery, and suicide prevention through education. We support the resilience and recovery of people in distress including those affected by mental illness or suicide by providing crisis intervention; safe, long-term and affordable housing; peer support; suicide grief and family support; information and referral support; and providing opportunities to improve your wellness.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Strategy & Governance, the Communications & Grants Specialist is an integral part of CMHA-ER’s communications team. This position crafts and delivers our message to the community, promoting CMHA-ER and mental health as a cause. This role is an opportunity for the successful candidate to bring creativity to the role, reimagining our communications and granting proposals, contributing to securing funds for the organization, and promoting the cause of mental health in our community. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can juggle multiple priorities and deadlines, work well with internal and external stakeholders, and create compelling messages and content that promote mental health for all.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

External Communications and Marketing

• Provide leadership and direction in the development, implementation and evaluation of marketing, communications, advocacy, design and production, and fund development strategies.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of communication strategies focusing on customer attraction/retention, public/media awareness, and positive government relations.
• Lead the planning and implementation of fundraising events, in consultation with the fund development team.
• Establish and foster relationships with external stakeholders to support CMHA-ER’s advocacy, marketing, communications and fund development activities and events.
• Serve as a representative for CMHA-ER, communications, marketing, and fund development related community initiatives.
• Promote CMHA-ER programs and services to key audiences including funders and other supporters, current and prospective participants and their families.
• Research, write, and execute grant applications, corporate proposals, and partnership agreements, for funding.
• Share stories and authentically present the lived experience of mental health through the people we support.
  
  

Guide public relations and media outreach.

• Engage with and provide relevant content to diverse audiences on the topic of mental health.
• Website content development, ensuring it is aligned with CMHA-ER’s brand, up to date, accurate, consistent, and engaging.
• Coordinate the development and production of key documents such as the Annual Report, and collateral material to promote CMHA-ER and its programs.
• Manage email marketing and outreach, including the list of supporters and CASL compliance.
• Craft internal and external communications including monthly newsletter.
• Working collaboratively with social media and marketing consultant on consistent basis to ensure content is aligned with CMHA-ER’s vision.
• Content development through multimedia tools, including video, audio productions, graphics (using programs like Canva) and visualizations of program data and information (or work with external contractors to produce these). In particular, content that presents the stories of people with lived experience of mental health.
  
  

Internal Communications and Support

• Generate internal newsletters, and content for internal communications.
• Monitoring, curating, and adapting external content to engage staff and volunteers.
• Generate regular reports detailing funding impact.

Media Relations

• Serve as a first point of contact for media outreach and inquiries.
• Identify opportunities to promote CMHA-ER, its events, and its programs through traditional and new media.
• Support, through media training and coaching, briefings, and capacity building, the ability of staff, volunteers, and clients with lived experience to speak to media.
  
  

Fund Development Support

• Develop and implement marketing and communications plans to support fundraising initiatives including third-party events.
• Shape and produce engaging content in different mediums to appeal to solicit donations and steward donors.
• Write content for grants and other funding applications or reports to funders.

Core Competencies and Responsibilities

• Creates buy-in and excitement for CMHA-ER among staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Identifies strategic opportunities and present an action plan - to increase awareness of CMHA-ER and the cause.
• Oversees and evaluates work provided by relevant contractors and consultants.
• Promotes a staff mind-set which enhances the goals and objectives of CMHA-ER.
• Ensures that the Executive Team is informed of risk management issues, including those that have implications beyond existing policy or that may have the possibility of affecting CMHA-ER’s reputation or resources.
• Takes steps to identify, mitigate, and address any potential risks (real or perceived) to CMHA-ER, its events, and other work.
  
  

Other

• Duties and responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor.
  
  

Qualifications/Experience

CMHA-ER recognizes that candidates all have different skills and experiences to offer. While we

are highlighting desired qualifications in the following sections, it is not a checklist. We encourage everyone interested to apply and indicate how you would successfully take on the role even if you have unconventional experiences or qualifications.

• Post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a communications role, ideally with demonstrated success in: o Being a skilled writer (paramount for this role) (grants, reports, proposals, marketing content).
• Media engagement and public awareness.
• Non-profit fundraising.
• Membership in a professional association such as IABC or CPRS is an asset.
• Basic design skills, including familiarity with programs like Canva. Advanced graphic design skills and audiovisual production skills are an asset.
• Direct experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT considered an asset.
• Valid Class 5 Drivers License.
• Acceptable Police Information Check.

Skills/Abilities

• Self-starter who can bring creativity and innovation to the role.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills including an ability to convey technical information and data in accessible language and formats, including data storytelling.
• Able to manage difficult situations with well-developed conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organization skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and the ability to work independently and operate effectively in a complex multi-program environment.
• Understanding of effective communications and ability to deliver compelling messages to different audiences in different mediums.
• Ability to think critically about audiences, and to identify and tailor messaging and content for different sectors.
• Ability to engage people with lived experience to translate their perspectives into meaningful user-centered content.
• Superior organizational, time management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to produce visually engaging content in different mediums.
• Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Office.

Required Training for the Position

Within the first 3 months of employment:

• Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
• Discrimination and Harassment Training
• Diversity and Cross-Cultural Training
• Trauma Informed Care

Within the first 6 months of employment:

• First Aid
• Mental Health First Aid
• GBA+ Training

Additional Requirements:

As a part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, the successful candidate for this position will be required to undergo a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check. We understand the sensitivity of this requirement and assure all candidates that information obtained will be handled confidentially and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Candidates who progress to the interview stage will be provided with further details regarding the process and will be asked to provide their consent for the police information check.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and sick leave.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement and training programs.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Opportunities for career advancement and growth within the organization

Closing Date : This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

 We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion and as such does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origins, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Selection decisions are solely based on job-related factors.

Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact 

 We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.