Media and Public Relations Specialist

**About Homeward Trust Edmonton**

Homeward Trust Edmonton (HTE) is a not-for-profit organization charged with ending homelessness in Edmonton. Our efforts are guided by community needs and priorities as outlined in A Place to Call Home: Edmonton’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Homeward Trust has a dynamic work environment, filled with high-energy, dedicated, and passionate people.

Homeward Trust coordinates and provides resources for local efforts that address homelessness and its impacts on individuals, families, and communities. We work with agencies, neighborhoods, mainstream systems, community members, and all orders of government in pursuit of this singular objective, grounded in the belief that we can and will end homelessness in Edmonton. Homeward Trust is proud that our community is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in this work.

Homeward Trust embraces the Housing First philosophy; prioritizing access to safe appropriate housing without pre-conditions, with supports required by the participant to remain in a home. Homeward Trust Edmonton’s programs involve housing (such as capital project funding, property management, and sourcing access to new or existing units for participant use) and supportive services to individuals in or seeking access to housing programs.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Director, Communications & Engagement, the Communications & Media Specialist is responsible for public, media and government relations, message development and general communications work to advance Homeward Trust’s mission, amplify its brand and ensure a positive reputation for Homeward Trust, its programs, and partners.

This permanent, full-time position has significant contact with stakeholders, committee members, media, political and government representatives, the general public, volunteers, and all employees.

**Duties & Responsibilities**

**_
Corporate Communications and Content Production_**
- Research, write and edit content across platforms and for print materials.
- Collaborate with internal departments, stakeholders and partners as required in the development and production of messaging and multi-platform content.
- Employ exemplary writing, storytelling, editing and proof-reading skills with the ability to adapt and meet tight deadlines.

**_Government and Stakeholder Relations_**
- Under the leadership of the Director, Communications & Engagement, build and execute communication strategies that proactively enhance and build our relations with all levels of government and other core stakeholders. This includes suggesting aligned tactics to advocate for Homeward Trust’s efforts to end homelessness, shape perceptions and drive support.
- Ability to display sensitivity and solid judgement regarding political issues and public perception when crafting communications.
- Proactively stay abreast of government announcements, the media landscape and news to prepare briefing notes and insights for internal updates.
- Prepare letters, reports and external documents required for key funders, government officials and related stakeholders while ensuring key stakeholders and supporters have appropriate and up-to-date information distributed promptly.
- Policy Analysis: employ strong analytical skills to understand and interpret complex policies, legislation, and regulations with the ability to communicate the potential impact of policy changes on our organization and develop strategies to influence policy outcomes.
- Research and Political landscape knowledge: Understand political processes and be aware of the key decision-makers and political landscape to anticipate potential challenges, identify opportunities, and tailor advocacy efforts accordingly. Staying informed about policy developments, legislative agendas, and political trends is essential.

**_ Public and Media Relations _**
- With the Director, create key messages and develop messaging that is compelling, consistent and aligns with the organization's objectives. This includes messaging and fact sheets for priority HTE initiatives to respond to media inquiries in a timely manner while ensuring information is factual, current, and succinct.
- Displays media and public relations acumen with the ability to synthesize information and respond to media inquiries in a way that positions Homeward Trust, our funders and partners in a positive manner that advances our mission.
- Identify and pursue media opportunities to highlight HTE programs and activities, amplify our brand and create strategic opportunities for information sharing through earned media.
- Monitor, track and distribute weekly news coverage reports about both HTE and other initiatives related to homelessness and affordable housing. This includes maintaining files on past media coverage.
- Create and maintain an active media list with strong knowledge of the current media landscape.
- Draft media releases, briefing notes and provide conten