Communications Specialist

**Location**:
22 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 2S7

**About Us**

The Weston Family Foundation is a family-led charitable foundation that focuses on creative solutions in the areas of healthy aging and healthy ecosystems with the objective of delivering measurable impacts to the well-being of Canadians. Since its inception more than 60 years ago, the Foundation has provided $520 million in charitable grants and today is one of Canada’s largest private charitable foundations.

**Communications **Specialist**

**About the Foundation**

At the Weston Family Foundation (formerly The W. Garfield Weston Foundation), more than 60 years of philanthropy has taught us that there’s a relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy people. That’s why we champion world-class health research and innovation with the same passion that we support initiatives to protect and restore biodiversity on our unique landscapes. We take a collaborative approach to philanthropy, working alongside forward-thinking partners to advance Canada and create lasting impacts. We aspire to do more than provide funding, as we enable others to find transformational ways to improve the well-being of Canadians.

At the Weston Family Foundation, we are invested in the well-being of all Canadians. Our national identity encompasses a wide range of perspectives, ideas, and experiences. We aspire to develop and celebrate these differences in our working strategies and overall philosophy. We strive to take a mindful, deliberate approach, and to adopt policies and practices that advance and value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the foundation, our operations, and our extended community. This approach is always evolving, it includes dedicating time and resources towards equitable hiring and communications, and cultivating a safe, welcoming, and accessible work environment. Our firm belief is that by taking this outlook, we will increase the beneficial impact of our philanthropy.

**The Role**

The Communications Specialist supports the overall communications strategy and execution based on the Foundation’s mission to improve the well-being of Canadians. This includes:

- Support to Director of Communications in all Foundation communications activities including website, grant calls and announcements, media relations, recognition and social and digital media.
- Ensuring brand and visual identity consistency with all internal and external materials.
- Offering communications support to all Foundation staff.

The Communications Specialist will report to the Director of Communications while offering support to the Executive Director, Board Directors, and the entire Foundation team.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Administrative**:

- Supporting Director of Communications with invoicing and annual budget tracking.
- Managing annual subscriptions.
- Managing Weston Family Foundation communications inbox.
- Developing and managing editorial calendar.
- Supporting management of third-party vendors.
- Coordinating meetings and communications calendar.
- Supporting management of SharePoint site.

**External **C**ommunications**:
Digital communications
- Manage website (regular updates, program calls and announcements, track and report on website and outreach analytics).
- Execute social media strategy through development of social media content.
- Develop visual assets as needed.
- Support with coordination and management of external events

**Media Relations**:

- Regularly monitor online activity about Foundation and programs and identify and leverage opportunities to position the organization’s voice and brand.
- Develop media lists and build relationships with key media through outreach.
- Gather, share, and archive all Foundation media coverage.
- Liaise with program directors and grantees to gather relevant information.
- Support with development of media materials (provide writing capacity and expertise (key message, speeches, op-eds, web copy, blog entries, etc.).

**List Management**:

- Support grant calls

**Recognition**:

- Ensure compliance of Foundation recognition based on brand guidelines.
- Liaise with grantees for recognition needs and ensure appropriate recognition.
- Coordinate sign off on all signage and permanent Foundation logo/name use including director sign off when appropriate.
- Monitor Foundation recognition regularly and correct misuse or lack of recognition.

**Internal communications**:

- Share updates on communications priorities with Foundation staff and Wittington.
- Support Director of Communications with socialization of the role and impact of communications.
- Support with BOD presentations and materials, including weekly Foundation communications updates and monthly BOD updates.
- Maintain updated brand resources and update staff as needed on brand guidelines.

**What do you need to succeed?**
- Post-secondary education in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or another re