Marketing and Communications Specialist

The Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.

Mission Statement The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.
Core Values The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda has four core values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of Communications, the Marketing and Communications Specialist contributes to the creative development of key communications projects and assets for The Salvation Army. These include e-newsletters, research organizational resources such as the annual reports, and social media. Act as creative developer for territory in photography and videography.

Accountabilities:

Marketing

• Identify, initiate, and enhance national marketing efforts to promote and strengthen the image of The Salvation army within Canada and Bermuda
• As part of MC team, meet with external agencies when required to contribute to creative asset creation
• Distribute creative assets to other territorial units accordingly based on approved national strategy
• Understands role of different media options and their impact on achieving marketing objectives, and contribute to and execute tactical media and creative plans
• Develop and share tools and tactics that can be used both at Territorial Headquarters as well as at divisional and local levels to attain the goal of raising awareness of The Salvation Army
• Identify partnership opportunities within organization and in media and build relationships on a national level that help to promote The Salvation Army’s mission

E-Newsletters:

• Strategize and prepare written content for e-newsletters that focus on awareness of social issues in line with TSA mission and sharing stories of clients or ministry unit’s successes
• Identity and curate potential photos, graphics or videos to include in the e-newsletter design
• Develop a calendar for e-newsletters throughout the year, with a regular monthly email distribution
• Determine appropriate fields of data for collection and analyze to determine effectiveness of email strategy (i.e. brand awareness/equity and donations)

Communications Projects and Reports

• In support of the Communications Manager, assist in the preparation and design of content for the organization’s Annual Report
• Develop and employ research techniques to create special reports (such as on homelessness or child poverty) and other major communications projects as assigned
• Conduct research for the purposes of supporting various departments
• Point of contact and develop relationships with all levels of educational institutions to handle requests for research projects
• Creatively employ techniques, standards and best practices to guide storytelling, monitor consistency, relevancy and technical quality of finished production
• Participate in communications team planning and project management activities

Social Media

Manage The Salvation Army’s social media accounts which are targeted towards reaching the general public with the goal of increasing support for its social services and community and family services work. He/she will provide the day-to-day operations to promote engagement with the public and respond to queries about our work.     

• Assist with the development of a content calendar, toolkits, that outline important themes and dates (Donut day, Empress of Ireland, Giving Tuesday) to post to platforms
• Post updates every day to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn in line with the content calendar and as appropriate to other accounts
• Ensure that we promote our corporate partners (as per agreements) and our national campaigns
• Research new processes and technologies as well as develop understanding of targeted demographics to improve efficiency and meet industry best practices
• Monitor and track monthly statistics and changes and provide reports that outline both quantitative and qualitative results to leadership
• Maintain and design social media pages for both organic and paid ads (Facebook, Google, YouTube) through media agency
• Work with social media influencers to ensure access, proper messaging and brand standards are met
• Manage social media engagement with public. Work will include monitoring on weekends and after office hours approximately 5 hours/week
• Participate in communications team planning and project management activities
• Ensure all legal requirements and identity standards relating to social media are met (closed captioning)

Creative Content Design

• Support full communications team through creation of media resources
• Work with territorial and divisional teams to identify and assess potential communications or story leads as well as provide supportive direction, training, assistance to divisional units in regards to social media production and other communications tasks
• Provide photographic skill and editing to enhance storytelling, document services and units, provide business needs (headshots) and event coverage required by internal and external departments such as World Missions, Editorial, Canadian Staff Band
• Provide video coverage or filming of leadership messaging such as holidays (Christmas and Easter messaging), General’s visit, TC address for new core values and other various video storytelling needs
• Support team members on projects through all stages to meet established timelines, ensuring all media resources adhere to the organization’s official brand guidelines
• Participate in national events to provide social media coverage and liaise with event coordinators to understand what audio/visual/recording/webcast will be required and agree on expected outcomes. Provide direction, camera work and other skills to Livestream events
• Assist other departments in the preparation of training and/or promotional videos
• Outline necessary equipment (cameras, stands, lighting) for purchase, repair or replacement
• Ensure equipment is cared for and media room set up for filming and photography purposes as required
• Assist with planning, envisioning and implementing creative productions as required
• Ensure all creative has model release forms and adherence to copyrighting and digitize all project release forms
• Work in cooperation with Video Producer to manage and run audio visual for weekly chapel services and THQ events

Donor and Public Relations

• Answer all emails that come through website and donation channels and respond appropriately to all issues such as complaints, request for services, or donation inquiries
• Ensures appropriate customer service is provided in a timely fashion and reflects the mission of TSA
• Identify any crisis issue for TSA and respond/forward in an appropriate manner
• Provide back-up for reception desk at THQ

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Affairs or other related discipline

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Three to five years related public relations/writing/communications/web/social media experience in an organizational setting, with previous non-profit experience an asset
• Ability to use different types of photographic equipment and photography software
• Excellent working knowledge and experience in various software and reporting tools such as Microsoft Office, WordPress, Hootsuite and an ability to quickly learn new applications
• Superior photographic and video skills
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications preferred (Indesign, Photoshop, Premiere, and ability to learn new applications quickly)

Skills and Capabilities:

• Demonstrated excellent organizational, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Outstanding time management skills and attention to detail
• Excellent project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities as required
• Excellent use of English language and writing for print and online applications
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment to meet tight deadlines
• Positive, enthusiastic, solution-focused and will take initiative
• Familiarity with The Salvation Army is an asset
• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours and availability on short notice required (ie Disaster response). Some national and international travel required (10-15%)