Media and Public Relations Specialist

About Homeward Trust Edmonton
Homeward Trust Edmonton (Homeward Trust) is a not-for-profit organization charged with ending homelessness in Edmonton. Our efforts are guided by community need 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 devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities. We work with agencies, neighbourhoods, 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.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director, Communications & Engagement, the Public & Media Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting public, media and government relations, events, and general communications and design work. You will communicate with diverse audiences across channels, platforms and formats to advance Homeward Trust’s mission, amplify its brand, and ensure a positive reputation.
This permanent, full-time position has significant contact with internal and external stakeholders and requires the ability to communicate sensitively with awareness of differing viewpoints in a politically sensitive environment.
As a hybrid position, you have the opportunity to work two days remotely with the other three days in our downtown office, with occasional off-site events where access to a car is an asset. Due to the nature of events, some flexibility is required as schedules will vary.
Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Communications and Content Production
- Employ exemplary writing, editing, and proof-reading skills to translate complex material into clear, plain language. This includes researching, creating needed graphics, and content for print production, social, web, webinars, presentations, and other platforms and channels.
- Skilled in audience segmentation to tailor messaging and content for diverse audiences, often with differing viewpoints. Ability to craft messages that resonate, build understanding, reduce stigma and share needed, fact-based information about homelessness and housing issues.
- Collaborate with internal departments, stakeholders, and partners for the development and production of messaging, multi-platform content, and event support.
- Provide content and support for speaking notes and presentations.
- Ability to create communications plans complete with project management execution schedules.

Public and Media Relations
- This role is responsible for issue identification through proactive environmental scanning and prompt internal communications to flag issues and/or media inquiry to mitigate reputational risk.
- With the Director, create key messages and develop messaging that is compelling, consistent, and aligns with the organization's objectives. This includes messaging, briefing notes, and fact sheets for priority HTE programs and initiatives to respond to media inquiries promptly 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 and vision.
- Monitor, track and distribute weekly news coverage reports about both HTE and issues related to homelessness, housing, and the social-serving sector. This includes scanning for any issues that could impact our organization and maintaining files on past media coverage.
- Create and maintain an active media list with strong knowledge of the current media landscape.
- Draft speaking notes for spokespeople and draft and distribute media releases.

Government and Stakeholder Relations
- Ability to display sensitivity and solid judgement regarding political issues and public perception when crafting communications. This includes suggesting aligned strategies and tactics to advocate for Homeward Trust’s efforts to end homelessness, shape perceptions, and drive support.
- 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.
- Employ strong analytical and analysis skills to understand and interpret complex policies, legislation, and regulations with the ability to communicate the potential organizational impact of policy changes.
- Political landscape knowledge: Understand political pro