Specialist, Community Relations

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Regular full-time Specialist, Community Relations to join our dynamic Communications team in our Donor Engagement and Corporate Reputation (DECR) division.

The Communications team empowers and motivates individuals to join Canada’s Lifeline by creating engaging content, building brand affinity, and preserving confidence in Canadian Blood Services.

In this role, you will play a key role in supporting the organization’s goals to build an inclusive and diverse donor base, ensuring the success of Canadian Blood Services' mission to provide safe, reliable access to high-quality blood products and services to patients across the country, from all backgrounds and communities.

You will assist in the development and implementation of proactive community relations and communications strategies and activities in alignment with Canadian Blood Services' business objectives and strategic commitments to sustainability. The role focuses on growing and diversifying the donor and registrant base through relationship-building and collaboration with equity-deserving and underrepresented communities (e.g., African, Caribbean, and Black communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities). You will also coordinate and execute outreach efforts that promote inclusive and welcoming interactions with Canadian Blood Services and support local initiatives to increase engagement and participation in Canada’s Lifeline.

Formula for success

• Leveraging your demonstrated knowledge and expertise, you will support the development of community relations and communication strategies and lead implementation of activities that contribute to growing and diversifying the donor and registrant base within key communities.
• Drawing on your exceptional collaboration and organizational skills, you will lead the coordination and execution of local community relations activities and events that raise awareness of Canadian Blood Services’ mission and encourage participation in Canada’s Lifeline in culturally and identity appropriate ways.
• Utilizing your strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences, you will help develop content for and with diverse audiences, ensuring messages and products are consistent, appropriate, contextualized, and aligned with community relations goals and community needs.
• Harnessing your ability to build relationships with key subject matter experts and influencers across various departments, you will collaborate with internal teams within the Inclusion, Sustainability, and Engagement (ISE) and Donor Engagement and Corporate Reputation (DECR) divisions to assist in delivering cohesive outreach and action plans.
• Concentrating on your exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse groups, you will establish and maintain positive relationships with community members, organizations, and key stakeholders to support Canadian Blood Services’ initiatives and community-led recruitment and awareness-building initiatives.
• You will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the planning of community events, speaking engagements, and media opportunities to raise awareness of and increase blood product donation in key communities. Assist with the development and/or coordination of event-specific materials, event logistics and manage coordination efforts community leaders and donation advocates.
• Focusing on your continuous growth mindset and analytical skills, you will track and report on community relations activities, including collecting feedback and data to evaluate progress and identify areas for improvement. Assist in preparing and disseminating reports summarizing community relations efforts, achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future strategies.
• Using your familiarity with systemic barriers and how they impact access, engagement and trust in institutional systems, you will support internal colleagues in understanding and interpreting learnings from engaged communities, to help inform their strategies and activities. 

Desired education and skills

• Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Community Engagement/Relations, or another related or relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in community relations, communications, or public relations, with a focus on engagement, collaboration and/or communication with diverse and underrepresented communities.
• Experience in assisting with the execution of community relations/engagement or outreach strategies and activities in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Experience in organizing and coordinating community events, media outreach, and other public relations activities.
• Familiarity with systemic barriers and how they impact access, engagement and trust in institutional systems.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends, as required, and travel as needed.
• Lived experience as a member of an equity-deserving group is strongly preferred; particularly those who identify as African, Caribbean, or Black, or 2SLGBTQIA+.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation
• Annual performance award up to 6%
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources

What you can expect

• This role will work in a hybrid environment with requirements to be onsite at Canadian Blood Services location 40% of the time/2 days of the week.
• You will work 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day.
• You may be required to travel locally for this role, and less than 10% nationally, and as required.