Strategic Leadership
- Develop, implement, and update strategic communications and marketing plans aligned with the organization's strategic plan and priorities.
- Advise the Executive Director and leadership team on communication strategies, institutional positioning, target audiences, key messaging, and reputational risks.
- Establish communication standards, processes, editorial calendars, and approval workflows to ensure consistency, quality, and timely delivery.
Supervision and Collaboration with the Communications Officer
- Supervise, mentor, and work closely with the Communications Officer; assign projects, establish priorities, and monitor timelines and deliverables.
- Foster the professional development, creativity, collaboration, and accountability of the Communications Officer.
- Coordinate external vendors and specialized partners, as required, while ensuring compliance with FrancoSud's budgets and quality standards.
Corporate Communications and Media Relations
- Prepare, review, and distribute corporate communications, including press releases, executive messages, speeches, newsletters, reports, public notices, and informational materials.
- Serve as the primary contact for media relations, coordinate interview requests, and prepare organizational spokespersons.
- Conduct media and digital monitoring, identify emerging issues, and recommend appropriate communication strategies.
Marketing, Digital Communications, and Brand Management
- Develop FrancoSud's marketing strategy and design integrated campaigns to increase student enrollment, improve student retention, strengthen community engagement, and showcase the achievements of the School Division and its schools.
- Define target audiences, objectives, communication channels, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs); analyze campaign performance and recommend data-driven improvements.
- Oversee the editorial governance of the website, social media channels, digital platforms, and mass communication tools.
- Ensure consistent application of FrancoSud's visual identity, brand standards, and institutional voice across all communications produced by the School Division and its schools.
Crisis Communications, Public Relations, and Events
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of emergency and crisis communication protocols.
- Under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinate communications during urgent, sensitive, or high-profile situations that may have media or reputational implications.
- Promote and highlight the achievements of students, employees, schools, and community partners.
- Plan and support press conferences, official announcements, public consultations, ceremonies, and other institutional events.
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Progressive experience in strategic communications, marketing, public relations, or corporate communications, including experience coordinating projects and supervising staff.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French and English.
- Experience in media relations, strategic writing, integrated marketing, digital communications, brand management, promotional campaigns, and crisis communications.
- Knowledge of the education sector, Alberta's Francophone community, or the public sector is considered an asset.
- A portfolio demonstrating communications and marketing achievements is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated leadership, sound professional judgment, and the ability to prioritize effectively in a complex environment.
- Exceptional writing and editorial skills, political awareness, and the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
- Creativity, strategic thinking, attention to detail, discretion, and outstanding organizational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, departments, schools, partners, and community stakeholders.
- Proficiency with digital platforms, social media, content management systems (WordPress), and modern performance measurement and analytics practices.
- Ability to work effectively with external service providers and prepare clear, well-structured creative briefs for web, video, and graphic design projects.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to support events, emergencies, or crisis situations.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to schools and communities served by FrancoSud. A valid driver's license is required.
- Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality and complying with approval protocols and applicable legislative requirements.
