📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Specialist, Strategic Communications
🔹 Company: Canadian Blood Services
🔹 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
🔹 Category: Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-22
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (40% on-site, 2 days/week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting internal communications to reach employees across Canada
- Planning, developing, and producing communication strategies and resources
- Collaborating with diverse teams to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned content
- Building impactful relationships with divisional partners
- Supporting employee engagement opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong content production skills, change communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills. It involves a high degree of collaboration and relationship building.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Planning, developing, and producing communication strategies, products, and resources in support of business goals, critical issues, and high-priority initiatives
✅ Creating engaging content (written, video, and visual) in alignment with brand guidelines for internal audiences
✅ Supporting employee engagement opportunities to deepen commitment to Canada’s Lifeline
✅ Collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned, consistent, and accurate content
✅ Advising, creating, and executing communication strategies to support the goals and objectives of Canadian Blood Services
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve occasional travel and requires a strong ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Post-Secondary level education in a relevant discipline (e.g., Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, or Marketing)
Experience: 5 years of communications-related experience; minimum 3 years of other related experience
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in strategic communications
- Strong content production skills and change communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build impactful relationships
- Strong ability to collaborate across diverse teams
- Creative mindset and strong attention to detail
Preferred Skills:
- Training or work experience in change communication
ASSUMPTION: An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 80,078 to CAD 94,028 per year
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Meaningful work that saves lives and improves patient outcomes
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job posting and is an estimate. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Canadian Blood Services operates in the non-profit sector, focusing on blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues donation and management.
Company Size: Medium-sized organization with 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1998
Company Description:
- Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood system in Canada
- The organization is responsible for the collection, testing, and distribution of blood, blood products, and related services
- Canadian Blood Services also manages the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Company Specialties:
- Blood donation
- Plasma donation
- Stem cell donation
- Cord blood donation
- Organ and tissue donation
Company Website: https://blood.ca/
ASSUMPTION: Canadian Blood Services is a national organization with a significant impact on the health and well-being of Canadians.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level role, depending on experience
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Manager, Internal Communications
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement with 40% on-site presence at Canadian Blood Services location in Ottawa
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the Communications and Content team or explore other opportunities within Canadian Blood Services
- Opportunities to work on high-priority initiatives and critical issues
- Chance to develop skills in change communication and employee engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and caring organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work environment with a preference for the Ottawa site (1800 Alta Vista Drive)
Office Location(s): Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Ottawa is the capital of Canada and offers a mix of urban and rural living
- The city has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals
- Ottawa is home to many national institutions, including Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of History, and the National Gallery of Canada
Work Schedule: Flexible work schedule with a focus on results and productivity
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening interview
- In-person or video interview with hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Director, Communications and Content
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and experience
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate with diverse teams
- Creativity and attention to detail
- Alignment with Canadian Blood Services' mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Canadian Blood Services' mission and values in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your communication skills, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communication, Content Production, Change Communication, Relationship Building, Creative Mindset, Attention to Detail, Employee Engagement, Collaboration, Internal Communications, Brand Guidelines, High-Quality Content, Organizational Partners, Employee Experience, Public Relations, Journalism
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, collaboration, and cultural fit with Canadian Blood Services.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools and technologies is preferred but not always required. The ideal candidate will have a willingness to learn and adapt to new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Patient-centered
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Accountability
- Respect
Work Style:
- Dynamic and collaborative team environment
- Focus on results and productivity
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Meaningful work that saves lives and improves patient outcomes
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Canadian Blood Services' patient-centered value?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid work environment with a focus on results and productivity?
- How do you approach building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse teams?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to Canadian Blood Services' mission and values, as well as a willingness to collaborate and adapt in a dynamic work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Occasional travel may be required
- Workload may fluctuate based on high-priority initiatives and critical issues
- Requires strong collaboration and relationship-building skills to work effectively with diverse teams
- May need to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
ASSUMPTION: The role may present challenges related to workload, collaboration, and project management. Strong communication skills and organizational skills are essential to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Strategic Communications Specialist or Manager within a non-profit or corporate communications department
- Industry-specific context: Canadian Blood Services operates in the non-profit sector, focusing on blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues donation and management
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and caring organization
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other strategic communications positions but is unique in its focus on internal communications within the non-profit sector.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a communication strategy to support a major organizational change or initiative
- Creating engaging content (written, video, and visual) for internal audiences to improve employee engagement and understanding
- Collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure high-quality, brand-aligned, consistent, and accurate content
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working on high-priority initiatives and critical issues, requiring strong communication skills, collaboration, and project management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing internal communication challenges facing Canadian Blood Services, and how does this role address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams and departments within Canadian Blood Services?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within this role and the Communications and Content team?
- How does Canadian Blood Services support work-life balance for employees working in a hybrid environment?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and relevant questions demonstrates your interest in the role and allows you to assess the fit between your skills, experience, and the organization's needs.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your communication skills, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities
- Follow up with Canadian Blood Services within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
