Job title: Communications Officer
Reports to: Communications Manager
Position Type: Full-Time Temporary 12-18 Months Maternity Leave Coverage
Position Overview
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Communications Officer plays a senior, strategic role in shaping and delivering the Greater Vancouver Food Bank’s internal and external communications. Working independently and in close collaboration with the Communications team, Development team, and leaders across the organization, this role drives professional, innovative, and brand-consistent communications across all channels, including website oversight, in a dynamic and fast-moving environment.
The Communications Officer leads media relations activity, proactively managing press opportunities, promotional campaigns, and coordinating executive and director-level participation in media engagements to advance organizational priorities and reputation. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment, requiring strong relationships with senior leadership and the ability to translate complex, time-sensitive initiatives into clear, compelling narratives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead relationships with media and senior leadership to communicate key organizational messaging, provide strategic public relations oversight, and secure earned media that strengthens the organization’s reputation.
- Coach and prepare senior and junior leaders who act as organizational spokespeople, ensuring confidence, message alignment, and media readiness.
- Develop and lead media partnerships and campaigns by providing strategic guidance, writing and approving press releases, drafting partner communications, and shaping media strategies for joint initiatives.
- Create and execute proactive media and public relations campaigns that advance organizational priorities and enhance public trust.
- Support the execution of annual Organizational Objectives and the Strategic Plan through aligned communications and public relations activity.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the annual Communications Plan, overseeing the execution of key initiatives throughout the fiscal year.
- Strengthen the organization’s community profile by building partnerships and delivering timely, professional communications across all channels with a consistent tone and voice.
- Draft, review, and maintain high-quality communications collateral, including press releases and campaign materials, to support events, campaigns, partnerships, and ad hoc opportunities. Providing healthy food to those in need.
- Oversee digital content across platforms including website content, copywriting, blogs, photography, and online engagement, ensuring alignment with brand and messaging standards.
- Act as a primary media liaison by building relationships, facilitating interviews, and supporting spokespeople before and after media engagements.
- Represent the organization at events and conferences to strengthen partnerships, build new relationships, and stay current on communications and public relations best practices.
- Mentor and coach junior team members, supporting skills development and contributing to a high-performing communications function.
- Use analytics and media monitoring to provide communications insights that inform decisionmaking and continuous improvement.
- Deliver additional communications and public relations projects as requested by the Communications Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
- Oversee the Communication Assistant’s planning, ordering, and inventory coordination of branded merchandise in support of campaigns, events, partnerships, and stewardship initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand standards and organizational priorities.
- Support e-commerce initiatives by collaborating with internal teams and external vendors on product listings, launches, and ongoing content updates, helping ensure merchandise and online storefronts are accurate, timely, and strategically positioned.
Personal Attributes and Core Skills
- Proven ability to perform effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, managing multiple projects, competing deadlines, and shifting priorities with resilience, professionalism, and composure.
- Exceptional verbal, written, editorial, and organizational skills, with the ability to deliver clear, consistent, and polished communications across all mediums (digital, print, and in-person).
- Outstanding attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy, quality, and brand alignment.
- High degree of adaptability, able to respond quickly and strategically to new requests, emerging issues, and evolving priorities.
- Hands-on experience in day-to-day strategic engagement with both internal and external audiences.
- Strong ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
- Passion for creating compelling, inspiring messages, supported by a disciplined and detail-oriented approach.
Qualifications and Experience
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field, with 4+ years of progressive experience in public relations, strategic communications, or media relations.
- Experience in government relations, business-to-business public relations, and the non-profit sector is considered a strong asset, as is an understanding of Vancouver’s food system, food banks, and food security.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing media and public relations strategies, including earned media, campaign launches, spokesperson preparation, and reputation management.
- Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms (including Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn) as they relate to storytelling, media amplification, and audience engagement, supported by experience using social media management and monitoring tools.
- Working knowledge of visual storytelling, including photography, copy editing, and collaboration with designers and content creators to produce high-quality communications assets.
- Technical proficiency across Windows and Mac OS environments, with experience using Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, content management systems (CMS), and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms to support communications planning, execution, and measurement.
Working Environment
Generally 37.5 hours a week, however, due to the nature of the role and our business, this fluctuates as periodic assistance with special events and campaigns on nights and weekends will be a requirement. A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are required, as occasional travel across the province is part of this role.
Notes
Due to high volume applications, only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.
Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Applications will be treated in strict confidence.
A criminal record check for working with vulnerable sectors is required upon hiring.
