Communications (Media Relations) Strategist

**About Vancity**

Vancity is a member-owned credit union built on the principles of inclusion and social justice. A relentless commitment to their values has helped them challenge the status quo and break down barriers since day one in 1946. They have bold commitments to make Vancity net-zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans and are pursuing strategies on Indigenous banking and to improve the financial resilience of their members.

**The workplace**

This is a permanent, full-time role that will enjoy hybrid working arrangements which can be fulfilled primarily from the Vancity head office location and your Lower Mainland based home office. Periodically, you’ll be required to attend in-person activities or events.

**The role**

As a **Communications Strategist (Media Relations)** you will be a key member of Vancity’s Communications team, reporting to the Senior Manager of External Communications. Your responsibilities include developing and executing strategic media relations and communications plans that align with our business objectives. This involves crafting media strategies, responding to media inquiries, drafting news releases, and creating proactive media pitches, key messages, and other communication materials.

Your work will deepen the public’s understanding of Vancity’s mission, drive member growth, reinforce member loyalty, and elevate Vancity’s reputation.

**You will**:

- Proactively seek opportunities to advance Vancity’s profile through media, as well as supporting story-telling activities across other external comms mediums.
- Act as the primary media contact for all media requests.
- Develop and execute media initiatives; produce messaging, briefing materials, issue notes and a wide array of other media-related communications collateral.
- Establish and develop trusted relationships with media and other key stakeholders both within and outside of Vancity.
- Support with issues management and response to mitigate potential reputational risk, providing advice and support to other departments within the organization.
- Be accountable for daily media management and monitoring of coverage.
- Deliver internal media training and coaching, offering strategic communications advice, resources, and tactics to Vancity spokespeople.
- Develop visually engaging presentations to effectively communicate key messages, data, and strategies to internal and external audiences.

**You**:

- Are an accomplished strategic communicator who knows how to navigate quickly in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment and have a deep understanding of media and public relations as well as issues and crisis management.
- Excel at crafting and delivering proactive media pitches that highlight Vancity’s initiatives, values, and stories, ensuring they resonate with target audiences and achieve media coverage.
- Are a collaborative team player who thrives in a strategic communications environment, contributing effectively to collective goals.
- Are detail orientated with experience working to deadline.
- Are a strong and versatile writer with highly developed writing and editing skills.
- Are a critical thinker with a keen ability to grasp the broader context of situations and strategically address complex challenges.

**Core competencies**
- A minimum of five years of experience in communications focused on earned media relations.
- In-depth knowledge of the fast-paced media landscape.
- Well organized, strong project management skills; ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines.
- Expertise in crafting communication materials into relevant, timely and engaging story narratives.
- Proficiency in design skills, including experience creating visually compelling content.

**Bonus points, if you have**:

- Experience working in politics, a non-profit, public relations consultancy, or issues-focused ecosystem.
- Degree in Communications, Journalism, or relevant field, or a combination of education/training, skills and experience.

The salary range for the role is $81,200 to $122,000. The upper half of the salary range is typically reserved for individuals who have demonstrated consistent strong performance in the role and possess a high level of job knowledge and skill.

**Posting Deadline: Posted until Filled**

**We offer**:

- We are the largest private-sector Living Wage Employer in Canada and have been consistently recognized as one of the Top Employers in Canada.
- Our permanent employees qualify for attractive benefit packages that can be customized and changed each year to meet their evolving needs.
- New employees receive between three to four weeks of vacation allowance per calendar year, and the number of vacation days grows — to a maximum of six weeks per year — as their length of service increases. In addition, full-time, permanent staff may be able to purchase extra days of vacation through our flexible benefits package.
- In addition to the 10 statutory holidays in British Co