Manager of Strategic Communications

About this role

Manager of Strategic Communications
(Indigenous applicants preferred)
Job term: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Canada, remote
(must reside within Canada to be eligible for consideration)
Reports to: Director of CKI
Who We Are
Indigenous Youth Roots is a national, Indigenous youth-led organization rooted in community. We envision a future where Indigenous youth are connected, empowered, and thriving as leaders within their communities. We work alongside communities to offer programs, grants, and opportunities grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, with the goal of strengthening and uplifting Indigenous youth voices. Our work is guided by seven core principles: Reciprocity, Innovation, Accountability, Reclamation, Advocacy, Resurgence, and Solidarity; along with being centered in Indigenous youth perspectives, that shape how we act and relate to one another.
At IYR, we center our people and our communities in all that we do. As a living wage employer, we honour the importance of balance by supporting flexible ways of working, time for ceremony, and the responsibilities that shape our lives. We are committed to meeting accessibility needs and creating a supportive, responsive work environment. Guided by purpose, we focus on meaningful outcomes that reflect our values, rather than upholding the status quo.
Your Impact
The Manager of Strategic Communications provides operational leadership for IYR’s Communications team, overseeing day-to-day work, long-term projects, and cross-departmental collaboration. This role will be responsible for supporting the development of practices, procedures, and standards related to external engagements of Indigenous Youth, Elders, community members, partners, funders, and various other folks in an assortment of active and passive communications channels
Summary of Duties & Responsibilities
Communications Planning:

• Develop and implement communications plans that support organizational vision, campaigns, programs, and strategic objectives.

• Translate organizational priorities into clear communications objectives, audience engagements, channels, timelines, and deliverables.

• Work across departments to identify communications opportunities, risks, and emerging needs.

• Maintain an organizational communications calendar for campaigns, announcements, events, and other activities.

• Monitor communications effectiveness and recommend improvements using engagement data and organizational priorities.

Project Management Oversight:

• Develop and maintain Communications workflows, procedures, and project management practices.

• Maintain clear and effective use of Asana for Communications projects, timelines, assignments, dependencies, and approvals.

• Clarify project responsibilities, deadlines, approval processes, and cross-departmental dependencies.

• Monitor project progress, team capacity, competing priorities, and risks.

• Ensure communications materials move through development, review, approval, and delivery in a timely and accurate manner.

• Escalate significant barriers or conflicting priorities to the appropriate department leader as needed.

Digital Media & Content Management:

• Oversee and provide quality assurance for social media, website content, campaigns, and other digital communications.

• Review content for accuracy, accessibility, cultural appropriateness, consistency, and organizational alignment.

• Guide social media strategies, content calendars, campaigns, and digital initiatives.

• Monitor performance metrics and use insights to strengthen future communications approaches.

• Maintain sufficient working knowledge of Communications tools and platforms to support content delivery and continuity when needed.

General Communications Support:

• Oversee, review, and where appropriate draft, edit, proofread, or refine communications materials.

• Develop key messages and communications products with departments and organizational leadership.

• Maintain consistency with organizational brand, voice, accessibility standards, and communications practices.

• Maintain team resources, including templates, style guides, standards, and communications tools.

• Provide communications guidance while respecting the subject-matter expertise and content ownership of contributing teams.

Leadership & Supervision:

• Manage day-to-day Communications team operations and priorities.

• Translate Director and organizational direction into clear team responsibilities, timelines, and desired outcomes.

• Supervise direct reports and provide guidance, coaching, feedback, training, advocacy, and performance management.

• Support onboarding, professional development, and role clarity for Communications staff.

• Hold accountability for team performance, project delivery, and organizational alignment.

• Maintain continuity of Communications operations during staff absences or capacity gaps by redistributing work, adjusting priorities, and stepping into essential communications functions when required.

• Regularly assess and recommend improvements to team processes, practices, tools, and resource needs.

• Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment grounded in respectful communication and relational accountability.

Community Engagement:

• Promote a collaborative, transparent, and accountable organizational culture that reflects IYR’s values.

• Participate actively in staff meetings, working groups, and committees to advance organizational goals.

• Uphold and promote the organization’s cultural values and guiding principles in all workplace practices.

• Engage with the Indigenous community and support initiatives that strengthen relationships and collaboration.

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of regional gatherings, meetings, and community engagement events.

Health, Safety, and Wellness:

• Carry out your duties in a manner that does not adversely affect your own health and safety…