Communications Manager

at  Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Type of Position: Full-Time, 18-month Maternity Leave Contract
37.5 hours per week
Competitive base salary of $100,000 annually

WHO WE ARE

The GVFB provides assistance to approximately 15,000 people monthly across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. We also provide food support to 150 agencies such as housing agencies, women and children’s shelters, transition homes and after school programs, which in turn provide hot meals and snacks to thousands of people each week, including people who are unhoused.
Our mission is providing healthy food to those in need. Our vision is to create healthy communities through fair and effective food systems. Currently, the GVFB distributes 8.9 M lbs of food each year.
The GVFB is a proud winner of BC’s Top Employers 2023!
The GVFB is a certified Living Wage Employer! This recognizes the GVFB’s commitment to paying fair wages, upholding good work standards for our employees, and contributing to poverty reduction and a higher standard of living in our community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Communications Manager works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Development team, and other teams across the GVFB to create professional, innovative, inspiring and brand consistent internal and external communications, including website management. The Communications Manager efficiently leads the Communications department and the Community Engagement department. They oversee media relations, and coordinate appearances and press releases with the Chief Executive Officer.
The Communications Manager will also focus on planning and supporting all GVFB-hosted and third-party events, as well as media relations and necessary communications. An understanding of Vancouver’s food system, food banks and food security is an asset.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND CORE SKILLS

• Lead by example with empathy and encouragement, supporting growth and empowering decision-making.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines and priorities with grace, resilience and a sense of humour.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the industry and alter existing or create new messaging.
• Confidence to suggest new ideas and strategies, and to challenge those that do not appear to fit our brand and strategy.
• Polished verbal, written, editorial, and organizational skills, as well as excellent communication skills that are consistent across all mediums (online, in print and in person).
• Consistent and outstanding attention to detail, and a passion for creating inspiring messages.
• Hands on experience of day-to-day strategic engagement with internal and external audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant post-secondary degree or diploma and 3-5 years’ experience in a public relations, events or communications coordination.
• Previous experience in a leadership role is an asset.
• Proficiency in social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn; and tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer.
• Demonstrated experience planning and facilitating an event on behalf of an organization.
• An eye for and working knowledge of photography, copy editing, web and graphic design platforms.
• Relevant experience managing local media relationships, coordinating coverage and events, and ensuring accurate and timely representation in the media.
• Experience with Windows and Mac OS based software including MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Drupal, CMS and CRM systems.
• Valid Class 5 Drivers License with 3-years clean driving history.
• Fundraising and/or non-profit experience or exposure is an asset. An understanding of Vancouver’s food system, food banks and food security is an asset.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor event environments, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to walk and stand throughout events.
• Exposure to ambient temperatures and noisy conditions.
• Bending and lifting boxes up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis at events.
• Ability to set up and dismantle event equipment as needed.