Public Relations Officer in Ottawa

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.

The Public Relations Officer is responsible for a comprehensive communications and community engagement strategy that supports the strategic priorities of The Salvation Army; while upholding and promoting the values, policies, procedures, codes and conduct and ethics of The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory.

The Public Relations Officer is responsible for crisis communications, earned media, events, supporting public affairs, Advisory groups, and the annual kettle campaign in a particular region. Supporting the Divisional Secretary for Public Relations, the Public Relations Officer is the spokesperson for The Salvation Army within the region, through regular interface with public forums and media to communicate the vital mission impact of The Salvation Army.

Key Accountabilities:

• Serve as divisional spokesperson, leading all media relations, releases, quotes, and responses to protect and strengthen The Salvation Army's reputation.
• Direct crisis and disaster communications end-to-end, ensuring timely updates, message accuracy, consistency, and post-response evaluation.
• Develop and execute earned media strategies that position the organization as a trusted knowledge leader and innovative community partner.
• Oversee editorial quality and brand alignment across all communications, including social media, video captioning, and public-facing materials.
• Lead the creation and delivery of compelling mission-driven stories that demonstrate impact, inspire action, and support fundraising and partnerships.
• Coordinate media communications for major campaigns, special events, disaster responses, and corporate partner commitments.
• Distribute timely, accurate information to media outlets and support senior leadership with holding statements and crisis materials as needed.
• Plan and manage community engagement, fundraising, and stewardship events to grow attendance, donor acquisition, brand awareness, and revenue.
• Support divisional kettle campaigns and event communications by promoting opportunities, sharing resources, and reporting outcomes.
• Facilitate Advisory Board operations by coordinating meetings, agendas, and minutes while strengthening community engagement and governance support.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• Completion of a 3 or 4 year bachelor degree in journalism, marketing or public relations is required.
• Minimum five years related writing/communications/web/social media experience in an organizational setting, with previous non-profit experience an asset.
• Demonstrate strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, WordPress, publishing tools, and the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Apply excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Exhibit outstanding time management, attention to detail, and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Communicate clearly and professionally using strong written and verbal English across print, digital, and media platforms.
• Collaborate effectively within a team while taking initiative, maintaining a positive, solution-focused approach, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Deliver high-quality customer service and creative planning for projects and special events.

This is a hybrid role which requires extensive travel across Eastern Ontario. Kingston / Ottawa and surrounding areas as candidate locations are preferred.

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $70,241.60 to $87,796.80 with a maximum of $105,372.80. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.