Senior Communications Officer - Foundation

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Toronto / Full-Time, Permanent

This role involves remote/work-from-home arrangements with a requirement for a minimum of two (2) days per week working onsite and may be subject to change as the organization works through its hybrid workforce plan and/or changing needs of the Foundation. We care about our team and community and are aligned with CAMH’s health and safety practices.

ABOUT CAMH FOUNDATION

Hi! I’m Lisa Plenderleith. When I was considering joining CAMH Foundation nine years ago, someone asked me a question I still remember: “CAMH is doing something really special. Do you want to be part of it?” I said yes, and every day since I’ve seen what makes this place—and the people behind it—so special. Mental health affects all of us, which is what makes this work so important. At Canada’s leading mental health hospital, we have the privilege of helping shape and tell the story of CAMH, bringing greater awareness to one of the defining health challenges of our time and inspiring people to join us in building better mental health care for everyone.

To me, exceptional writing is the starting point for a Senior Communications Officer. But the people who really stand out know that some of the most important work happens before the writing begins—and in all the moments in between. They are curious. They understand the business, ask the right questions and listen carefully to the answers. They build relationships and earn trust—with colleagues, clinicians and researchers, donors and people sharing some of the most personal experiences of their lives. They bring judgement and independence, welcome feedback and aren’t afraid to challenge an idea or try something new. On our team, we care enormously about the work we do and just as much about how we do it. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, I hope you’ll apply.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading research centres in its field. With a dedicated staff of more than 5,000 physicians, clinicians, researchers, educators, and support staff, CAMH offers outstanding clinical care to more than 38,000 patients each year. The organization conducts ground-breaking research, provides expert training to healthcare professionals and scientists, develops innovative health promotion and prevention strategies, and advocates on public policy issues at all levels of government.

CAMH Foundation is charged with raising and stewarding funds in support of CAMH. Its role is to help transform the way we understand and address mental illness by raising awareness and increasing engagement across the country. Generous and dedicated supporters help CAMH advance discovery and innovation, build spaces that promote recovery, and break down the stigma of mental illness.

The Impact Communications team is the storytelling and messaging hub of CAMH Foundation. As strategic partners to teams across the Foundation and CAMH, we turn complex ideas into compelling communications that help people understand CAMH’s work and impact, deepen engagement with our audiences and build support for our mission and fundraising priorities. As members of the team, we are committed to a positive and safe work environment where we support, listen and learn from each other and are accountable to our many key stakeholders.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Senior Communications Officer is an experienced writer and strategic communications partner who develops compelling, audience-centred communications across CAMH Foundation. With particular expertise in major and transformational giving, the role works most closely with the Philanthropy & Partnerships team to advance donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, while also supporting enterprise-wide communications priorities as needed.

Working across a wide range of formats and audiences, the Senior Communications Officer translates complex priorities in research, care and innovation into clear, persuasive communications—from major gift proposals, cases for support and stewardship reports to executive communications, presentations, impact stories, digital content and other long- and short-form materials. As CAMH Foundation prepares for its next ambitious fundraising campaign, the role will contribute to development of the campaign case for support and, once launched, translate campaign priorities into communications that help generate philanthropic support.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary is competitive and based on experience, with a hiring range of $95,203.84 - $109,764.43 per year.
• CAMH’s Total Rewards: Includes participation in HOOPP defined benefit pension plan, extended health and dental benefits, paid vacation starting at four weeks, flexible work arrangements, and ongoing professional development support.
  

CAMH Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Please contact HR.Foundation@camh.ca. We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our north star is creating hope and improving outcomes for people facing mental illness. We work in respectful partnerships with each other and our hospital partners to inspire philanthropy and raise awareness in support of mental health.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide expert communications support across CAMH Foundation, with a particular focus on major and transformational giving and close partnership with the Philanthropy & Partnerships team.
• Write, compile and design donor-facing materials that advance CAMH’s strategic priorities and fundraising goals, including proposals, stewardship reports, cases for support, presentations and slide decks, one-pagers, donor correspondence, executive communications and other long- and short-form materials, with a focus on Visionary-level donors ($1M+).
• Build trusted relationships with people with lived and living experience of mental illness, their families and donors to help share their experiences with care, accuracy and respect through written, video and visual storytelling.
• Develop compelling communications to advance the Foundation’s fundraising goals, including transformational gift proposals ($10M+), campaign materials and cases for support. Contribute to the development and evolution of campaign messaging and the case for support, translating overarching campaign narratives and priorities into compelling communications that support donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship throughout the campaign.
• Build and sustain trusted partnerships with fundraisers, clinicians, researchers, program leaders and other Foundation and hospital partners to identify and develop compelling philanthropic opportunities, draw out the information and stories that strengthen the case for support, translate complex priorities into clear donor-facing narratives and provide communications counsel throughout the development process.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to engage and build the profile of Philanthropy & Partnerships donors using available channels and resources (e.g., events, website and paid or earned media).
• Write high-profile content for internal and external publications and channels, including the Annual Report, executive communications, editorial content and campaign communications.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication of the Foundation’s brand, voice and campaign messaging across print and digital donor communications.
• Contribute to the day-to-day execution of brand, donor experience and engagement strategies.
• Identify and test new approaches, formats, platforms and technologies to strengthen donor engagement, improve communications effectiveness and create efficiencies, using feedback and performance insights to continually refine our work.
• Thoughtfully plan their work lead times to ensure that materials are delivered on time and on budget.
• Work effectively within a team to promote a positive and professional work environment and conduct the role with integrity and respect.
• Act as a Cultural Carrier in the organization and in the community.
• Abide by the policies and procedures of CAMH and CAMHF.
• Maintain donor and CAMHF confidentiality and privacy at all times.
• Abide by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and work in a manner that is safe, reporting incidents immediately to direct supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned in order to meet the overall goals and objectives of the Foundation.
• Operate within the culture and core values of the organization.
  Maintain knowledge and expertise in relevant fields.
  

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TEAM

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, fundraising communications, marketing or a related field. Experience developing major gift and campaign communications, and experience in health care, philanthropy or another complex mission-driven environment, are assets.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Exceptional and versatile writer and editor with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality communications across formats, audiences and channels, with particular expertise in major gift, transformational giving and fundraising communications.
• Demonstrated experience developing sophisticated fundraising communications, including major and transformational gift proposals, cases for support, campaign materials and stewardship communications.
• Exceptional research and synthesis skills, with demonstrated ability to quickly develop subject-matter knowledge and translate complex scientific, clinical, program, financial and impact information into clear, accurate and persuasive communications for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong written and visual storytelling skills, with the ability to conceptualize how content and design work together to create compelling donor materials across formats including video, designed reports and proposals, presentations and infographics.
• Exceptional editorial judgement and comfort navigating ambiguity and complexity, including the ability to ask the right questions, identify what is needed, determine the strongest narrative and recommend an effective communications approach. Confident providing thoughtful communications counsel and respectfully challenging assumptions when a different approach will better serve the audience or objective.
• Strong understanding of philanthropy and the role communications plays across donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, with demonstrated ability to connect communications strategy and deliverables to fundraising objectives.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and work confidently with senior leaders, fundraisers, clinicians, researchers, donors and other internal and external partners.
• Skilled interviewer who can draw out the information, insight and human detail needed to tell compelling and accurate stories.
• Highly collaborative and open to feedback, with the ability to navigate differing perspectives and incorporate input while protecting the clarity, quality and purpose of the final product.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, judgement and interpersonal skill when working with people sharing personal or lived experiences, with a strong understanding of consent, privacy and ethical storytelling.
• Highly self-directed, with demonstrated ability to manage complex communications projects from briefing and research through drafting, design, approvals and final delivery, coordinating multiple contributors and moving work forward with appropriate independence.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of complex, high-stakes work, exercise sound judgement as priorities shift and consistently deliver high-quality work within established timelines.
• Curious and innovative, with a willingness to experiment, learn from feedback and performance insights, and bring ideas from journalism, media, design, digital, technology and other disciplines into philanthropy communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and strong digital fluency, including working knowledge of generative AI and other emerging communications platforms and technologies. Sound judgement about when and how new tools can add value to research, ideation, synthesis, storytelling and workflow efficiency while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, organizational voice and editorial integrity.
• Experience and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, and familiarity with SharePoint are assets. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other donor/customer relationship management systems is also an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the mission and values of CAMH and CAMH Foundation, with willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.