Communications Manager - Maternity Leave

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Communications Manager - Maternity Leave

🔹 Company: STARS

🔹 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

🔹 Job Type: Temporary

🔹 Category: Communications

🔹 Date Posted: April 23, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and leading external and internal communication plans with clear KPIs, strategies, and tactics
• Providing media relations and communication strategy to the Foundation team, including stewardship, donor relations, and events
• Collaborating with a team to move forward STARS' mission and strategy
• Working in a dynamic environment where every team member contributes to helping STARS' Very Important Patients (VIPs)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, communication, and project management skills. The successful candidate will have experience in building and executing communication plans, media relations, and crisis communications. They will also have experience leading people and working in a fast-paced environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and lead external and internal communication plans with clear KPIs, strategies, and tactics

✅ Provide media relations and communication strategy to the Foundation team, including stewardship, donor relations, and events

✅ Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications (MarComms) team to support STARS' mission and strategy

✅ Contribute to STARS' life-saving mission by playing an important role in the MarComms team

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience in developing and executing communication plans, media relations, and crisis communications. They will also have experience leading people and working in a fast-paced environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field

Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years experience in a similar role, with at least 3 years leading people

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in building communication plans and executing them successfully
• Strong media relations and crisis communications skills
• Excellent leadership and project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the non-profit sector
• Familiarity with healthcare or critical care environments
• Bilingualism (English/French)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have a strong background in communications, with a focus on developing and executing communication plans, media relations, and crisis communications. They will also have experience leading people and working in a fast-paced environment.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000 CAD per year (based on experience and education)

Benefits:

• Organization-paid health and dental benefits
• Free parking
• Opportunity to make a difference in a life-saving mission

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Communications Manager role in Calgary, Alberta. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Non-profit, healthcare

Company Size: Medium (approximately 300 employees)

Founded: 1985

Company Description:

• STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) is a non-profit organization that provides critical care and transportation to patients in need
• STARS operates six bases across Alberta and Saskatchewan, providing world-class critical medical care to patients in remote and rural areas
• STARS is a lifeline to the community, providing critical care when time and clinical expertise can make all the difference

Company Specialties:

• Air ambulance services
• Critical care transportation
• Non-profit fundraising and donor relations

Company Website: stars.ca

ASSUMPTION: STARS is a well-established non-profit organization with a strong reputation for providing critical care and transportation to patients in need. The company values innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to saving lives.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a permanent role within the organization
• Opportunity to gain experience in the non-profit sector and healthcare environment
• Chance to work on high-profile projects and events

ASSUMPTION: This role offers the opportunity to gain experience in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, working on high-profile projects and events. The successful candidate will have the chance to grow within the organization and make a significant impact on STARS' mission.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a hybrid work arrangement available for some positions

Office Location(s): Calgary, Alberta

Geographic Context:

• Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, with a population of over 1.2 million people
• The city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as its proximity to the Canadian Rockies
• Calgary has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with flexibility for evenings and weekends as needed

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in an on-site environment, with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. They will also be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
• Background check and reference check
• Job offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Project management skills
• Cultural fit

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with communication plans, media relations, and crisis communications
• Show enthusiasm for STARS' mission and the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives

ATS Keywords: Communication Plans, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Leadership, Project Management, Non-profit, Healthcare, Critical Care

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may include a phone or video screening, followed by an in-person or video interview with the hiring manager and team members. The interview will focus on the candidate's communication, leadership, and project management skills, as well as their cultural fit with the organization.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• CMS (e.g., WordPress)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, social media platforms, and a CMS to create and execute communication plans.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Patient-centered
• Accountable
• Respectful
• Innovative
• Collaborative

Work Style:

• Fast-paced
• Dynamic
• Team-oriented
• Adaptable

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment?
• Are you comfortable working in a team and collaborating with others?
• Do you have a strong commitment to patient-centered care and making a difference in people's lives?

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and will have a strong commitment to patient-centered care and making a difference in people's lives. They will also be comfortable working in a team and collaborating with others.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Dealing with sensitive and emotional situations related to patient care
• Working in a non-profit organization with limited resources

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and will be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. They will also be able to handle sensitive and emotional situations related to patient care, and will be comfortable working in a non-profit organization with limited resources.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to a Communications Manager role in the private sector, this role may have less resources and a greater focus on fundraising and donor relations
• Compared to a Communications Manager role in the public sector, this role may have more flexibility and a greater focus on innovation
• Compared to a Communications Manager role in a different non-profit organization, this role may have a greater focus on critical care and patient-centered care

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a non-profit organization that provides critical care and transportation to patients in need. The successful candidate will have the chance to make a significant impact on STARS' mission and the lives of its Very Important Patients (VIPs).

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a communication plan for a major fundraising event
• Managing media relations for a high-profile crisis or emergency situation
• Creating and implementing a social media campaign to raise awareness about STARS' mission and services

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience developing and executing communication plans, managing media relations, and creating social media campaigns. They will also be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the Communications team in the next year?
• How does this role support STARS' mission and strategy?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the organization?
• How does the organization support work-life balance for its employees?
• What is the team dynamic like, and how does this role fit into the broader organization?

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be curious and ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organization. They will also be prepared to discuss their experience and qualifications in detail.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare for your interview by researching STARS' mission and values, and thinking about how your experience and skills align with the role
• Follow up after your interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.