Location: primarily remote (in Ontario)
School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. As a provincial implementation support team, SMH-ON provides leadership, resources, implementation coaching and a community of practice in order to promote the uptake, scaling, and sustainability of evidence-informed, implementation-sensitive, identity-affirming and culturally responsive practices in school mental health. SMH-ON serves the 60 English and 12 French school boards in Ontario, remote school authorities and provincial and demonstration schools. The team works alongside the Ministry of Education and has a role within the wider system of care, linking with partner ministries and organizations to advance child and youth mental health.
We are currently seeking a Communications Officer Consultant to provide leadership and coordination related to communications support for various portfolios and projects within SMH-ON.The role will help develop and execute effective communication plans, including research, goal creation, content development, analysis and execution of all tactical requirements of the SMH-ON communications strategy. The Communications Officer will have lead responsibility for internal team communications, ensuring that all members of the growing team have ready access to information, updates, documents, etc. as well as a strong sense of belonging across virtual offices. *Communications Officers who are fluently bilingual in English and French are specifically encouraged to apply.
At SMH-ON, we recognize diversity as a source of organizational strength. We welcome applications from those who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing student mental health with clear focus on human rights, and on reducing disproportionality and disparity in outcomes. Those with experience in serving racialized communities and those with identities that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized will bring particular assets that are highly valued within the organization.
Contract position to August 31, 2025, with extension contingent on funding
This role includes, but is not limited to:
- Prepare strategic communications plans, coordinate and implement communication strategies that support awareness and broad reach of SMH-ON messaging, resources and training opportunities, to advance the work of board mental health leadership teams.
- Lead the enhancement and uptake of internal communication processes. Build on the strengths of the team and help SMH-ON to maintain our core values of inclusion, kindness, honesty, respect, growth and collaboration. Help to support a culture of belonging and wellness through excellent internal communication strategies and platforms.
- Provide ongoing website enhancements and updates, coordinate regular newsletters to stakeholder audiences, maintain the private SMH-ON Leadership Portal, etc.
- Support the development and launch of projects related to mental health promotion and literacy, addictions prevention, early intervention services, and system collaboration.
- Prepare written communication and other content, in collaboration with SMH-ON team members (e.g., blog posts, articles, social media content, info sheets). Assist with revisions to, and optimization of, existing content as culturally responsive reviews and evidence updates are conducted. Help to ensure that content is responsive to both English and French school board audiences.
- Manage a variety of time-sensitive projects that require creative and systematic communication using a range of media. Coordinate inputs related to web design, graphic design, video production, PowerPoint presentations, translation, etc. to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned, AODA-compliant bilingual resources that are relevant and responsive for all Ontario school boards and students.
- Co-develop and implement an integrated marketing calendar with multi-channel segments that align with and maximize the digital content strategy.
- Gather key performance data and perform post-campaign reviews and analytics as needed.
- Administrative duties as required, such as: updating and finalizing PDF resources, listserv management, spreadsheet/database updates, etc.).
Qualifications / experience
- An undergraduate degree or diploma in communications, journalism, public relations or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a communications and public relations professional in a Canadian school board or mental health services setting.
- Bilingualism in English and French with fluency in both oral and written expression is highly valued for this position.
- Interest in and understanding of the role of schools in supporting student mental health. Strong experience and confidence in communication and issues management, focused on mental health and mental illness. Appreciation for the sensitivities involved and the need for personal resiliency when dealing with difficult topics.
- Strong understanding of anti-racist/anti-oppressive practices and how communication can serve to advance equity and mental health. Experience engaging with and amplifying the voices of those who are racialized, marginalized and/or oppressed. Confidence and fluency with identity-affirming language and approaches are needed for this role.
- Demonstrated competence with the development and execution of effective and targeted communication plans. Excellent project coordination skills with a strong ability to anticipate needs and draw in specific expertise as needed to meet demanding timelines.
- Strong technical skills across a variety of media. The ability to optimize web and other digital platforms to advance messaging and resource dissemination is an essential part of this role. Experience working with WordPress, Adobe and email marketing tools such as ActiveCampaign is required. Knowledge of Google Analytics, Looker Studio and other methods for optimizing uptake of mental health information to ensure ongoing quality improvement. Comfort with web meeting and webinar formats for communication with stakeholders.
- Solid writing, editing and proofreading skills. Experience writing for a range of education audiences is an asset. Writing samples will be requested from those short-listed for an interview.
- Excellent oral and visual presentation skills.
- Self-directed and highly motivated with excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills.
Contract position to August 31, 2025, with extension contingent on funding
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