Specialist, Strategic Communications

POSITION   

Specialist, Strategic Communications 

ORGANIZATION  

Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO) 

LOCATION 

Toronto, ON (Hybrid) 

HIRING SALARY RANGE  

$64,000 - $78,000 (annual) 

About the Organization 

Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO) represents over 150 organizations that provide front-line substance use, addiction, and mental health support and services. AMHO members support Ontarians through their mental health and substance use health challenges by providing community-based and hospital-based services including counselling, structured psychotherapy, case management, crisis support, withdrawal management, live-in addictions treatment, peer support and consumer-survivor programs, harm reduction, and supportive housing. 

 
We engage our members, government, and allies to lead change that will revolutionize the addiction and mental health care experience for people in Ontario. AMHO is known for its thoughtful, evidence-informed research projects, policy advocacy, capacity building and system transformation initiatives, knowledge exchange, education, and quality improvement programs. We are a small, energetic, and nimble team dedicated to advancing AMHO’s mission. 

 
In addition to market competitive compensation, we offer an industry-leading benefits package including health and dental coverage, a defined-benefit pension plan (HOOPP), generous paid time off and the flexibility of a hybrid work environment.  

About the Opportunity 

Reporting to the Director, Communications and Public Affairs, the Specialist, Strategic Communications is responsible for leading, supporting and executing strategic communications and public affairs initiatives that advance the organization’s mission and amplify the voice of its members across Ontario’s mental health and addictions sector. Through effective storytelling, public awareness campaigns, and targeted communications, the Specialist strengthens the organization’s influence and fosters understanding of AMHO’s goals. 

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities 

Communications, Storytelling, and Campaigns 

• Translate complex system-level issues into accessible, persuasive narratives for government, AMHO members, media, and the public. 

• Create compelling content, driving member engagement and public awareness through human-centered stories, comprehensive member toolkits, op-eds, presentations, and digital campaigns. 

• Support the execution of campaign rollouts, overseeing content development, preparing member-facing toolkits, managing timelines, and tracking engagement. 

• Steward the organization’s brand and message platform ensuring a consistent tone, terminology, and positioning across communications. 

• Collaborate with communications, policy, and external consultants to ensure content is on-brand, evidence-informed, and audience-specific. 

• Identify and uplift community voices, provider stories, and the perspectives of individuals with lived experience to help strengthen AMHO’s advocacy. 

• Provide creative direction and review for high-profile materials; ensure content is appropriate and effective for intended audiences and channels. 

Government Relations 

• Support the implementation of AMHO’s public affairs strategy and government relations plan. 

• Contribute to issue-specific policy submissions, support letters, and media engagement. 

• Work with the Director, Membership to engage AMHO members in the development of materials, webinars, and training to support member mobilization. 

Project Management and Strategic Operations 

• Manage multiple projects and campaigns, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and budgets stay on track. 

• Track key metrics and prepare reports on sector impact, media coverage, member engagement, and campaign performance. 

• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with member priorities. 

• Support collaboration with AMHO’s key external partners in the mental health and addiction sector to advance AMHO’s priorities. 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree, college diploma, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Specialty in communications, journalism, political science, or a related field is preferred. 

• Minimum three years (3) experience in public affairs, communications, marketing, journalism, or political campaigning. 

• Experience with community-based health or social services, particularly mental health, substance use health, and addictions, is an asset.  

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Exceptional writing and content development skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas persuasively and clearly for diverse audiences and platforms.  

• Able to assess complex situations, drawing insights to inform targeted and effective communication strategies. 

• Strong project management skills, including experience with timelines, budgets, and KPIs. 

• Understanding of Ontario’s political landscape and effective government relations strategies. 

• Strong understanding of digital marketing and social media strategies, particularly in amplifying campaigns or calls to action. 

• Comfort using digital tools such as project management software, CRM systems, WordPress and media monitoring platforms. 

• An understanding of visual content development (e.g., basic design principles or tools) is an asset. 

• Highly collaborative individual that thrives in a team environment.  

• Highly proficient with Microsoft 365 (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and online meeting platforms such as Zoom. 

• Fluency in written and spoken English; French proficiency is considered an asset. 

Please inform us if you require any accommodation during the hiring process.  We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.   

Addictions and Mental Health Ontario is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, accessible and respectful workplace.  AMHO always encourages people with lived experience with addiction and mental health service delivery to apply.  If you are interested in this position, please submit your resume online (insert job link) 

Please note: we are only accepting applications from those authorized to work in Canada and we are not currently sponsoring any work visas. 

 
AMHO is working in partnership with HR à la carte for our recruitment efforts.