About Willowbridge
Willowbridge Community Services is a not-for-profit organization offering developmental services and counselling across Hamilton, Brantford, Niagara, and Haldimand Norfolk. We believe that everyone deserves relationships, community, and celebration.
Why Work for Willowbridge?
• Become part of an innovative 4-day workweek (4DWW) and work 32 work hours a week with no salary reductions.
• Generous vacation package starting at 4.5 weeks paid (18 days pro-rated for 4DWW), all statutory holidays, and additional paid days for a week-long holiday office closure.
• Full Benefits package and an RRSP plan with employer matching up to 5%.
• 1.4 cumulative sick-days (pro-rated for 4DWW) accrued per month that build into a sick-day accrual bank.
• Flexible working hours that meet your needs.
• Hybrid work arrangements that include both remote and in-person service provisions.
• Funded professional development, training, and certification opportunities as available.
• A management team that advocates for the wellbeing of staff, clients, and the community.
• Opportunity to be a change-maker in a positive, collaborative workplace that values leadership, innovation, and creativity.
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Bringing Change to Life Willowbridge.ca
About the Opportunity
Our organization is looking for a Manager of Communications to lead strategy and implementation across both our organization and a major new initiative: Safe Relationships and Your Rights (SRAYR). This two-year contract is a rare opportunity to shape public messaging, elevate accessible education, and support social change on a provincial scale.
SRAYR is a gender-based violence prevention project that centers women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Ontario. Co-designed with people with lived experience and supported by over 20 partner organizations, SRAYR is building a more inclusive future through learning, training, and province-wide outreach.
In addition to leading SRAYR communications, the Manager of Communications will support Willowbridge’s broader communications strategy—supporting brand development, grant storytelling, digital engagement, and the growth of fee-for-service and social enterprise programs. Reporting to the Director of Projects, this role will supervise two staff, collaborate with consultants, and guide messaging that’s inclusive, strategic, and far-reaching.
This role is perfect for a communications leader who thrives in collaborative spaces, loves meaningful storytelling, and wants their work to directly support equity, accessibility, and real change.
How You’ll Contribute
• Lead province-wide communications strategy Develop and execute communications strategies across Willowbridge and the SRAYR project—ensuring alignment across teams, platforms, and messaging. This includes internal communications, brand storytelling, campaign planning, and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee public education, learning content, and campaign development Play a lead role in shaping and delivering all SRAYR communications outputs, including a co-designed learning guide, training curriculum, and province-wide public education campaign. Oversee the development of educational video scripts and final production in partnership with external consultants.
• Manage and coordinate communications consultants and creative partners Direct the work of illustrators, video producers, branding teams, and communications firms—ensuring that timelines are met, content aligns with values, and final deliverables reflect strategic objectives. Work closely with the Director of Projects to ensure consultant relationships are well-managed and productive.
• Supervise and support your communications team Manage two direct reports—one focused on Willowbridge’s organizational communications, and one on SRAYR-specific content. Support creative direction, coordination, and quality control across internal and external collaborators.
• Write and support compelling grant communications Lead or support the development of grant proposals, communications plans, and reports for both SRAYR and Willowbridge. Help craft strong narratives and data-informed messaging that supports funding outcomes and demonstrates impact.
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Bringing Change to Life Willowbridge.ca
• Strengthen brand presence and amplify community voice Support the evolution of Willowbridge’s brand identity while growing digital engagement, advancing our social enterprise strategy, and helping shape how the organization is seen by clients, partners, and funders.
• Champion accessibility and equity in every message Ensure all communications reflect plain language, AODA compliance, and trauma-informed, anti-oppressive frameworks—grounded in co-design with people with lived experience.
What We’re Looking For:
• Post-secondary education in communications, journalism, marketing, publishing, or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in communications or content development, including 3+ years leading a communications team
• Minimum 2 years of experience writing and supporting grants in a nonprofit setting
• Experience supervising and mentoring others while guiding thoughtful, organization-wide communications strategy
• Comfort leading branding or rebranding processes and working across teams to bring ideas to life
• Strong writing and editing skills across digital, print, educational, and public-facing content
• Experience creating accessible learning materials, training content, or public education resources
• Strategic thinker with experience developing and delivering social media, digital marketing, and external communications plans
• Skilled in using AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to enhance—but not replace—original content
• Deep understanding of accessibility, plain language, and inclusive, trauma-informed communication
• Organized, adaptable, and comfortable juggling multiple timelines, consultants, and deliverables
• Experience working in nonprofit or community-based environments, with an understanding of mission-driven work
• Someone who brings big-picture thinking, heart, and humility—a thoughtful leader who cares deeply about gender equity, accessibility, and building communications that truly connect
We know that great communicators come from all walks of life. If this role speaks to your values and experience, even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We’re looking for someone thoughtful, collaborative, and ready to lead with heart.
Willowbridge is committed to supporting a culture of diversity and inclusiveness across the organization and particularly encourages people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual/gender identities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs to apply. Accommodation in the recruitment process will be provided upon request.
Please forward your cover letter & resume in one PDF document with your name in the title to by 4:30p.m. on or before, May 7, 2025.