Posting Date: June 5, 2026
Closing Date: June 16, 2026
Senior Communications Manager
Full-Time (37.5hrs/wk), Permanent | Annual Salary: $80,000 - $94,000
Waterloo (serving Waterloo Region & Guelph/Wellington) | Vacant – Revised Role
About Us
KidsAbility Foundation inspires generosity to ensure children and youth with special needs and their families have access to exceptional care and support. Through philanthropy, we help create opportunities for life-changing impact across our communities.
What We Offer
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Hybrid work model based in Waterloo with regular local travel for donor meetings and flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend events
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Competitive benefits including an optional matching RRSP program, generous vacation package and paid personal leave days
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Collaborative, supportive, and mission-focused workplace
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Communications Manager to lead the strategy and execution of integrated communications that advance KidsAbility Foundation’s fundraising, stewardship, and brand priorities. This role provides leadership across content development, campaign planning and execution, storytelling, public relations, and digital engagement, ensuring all communications are cohesive, audience-focused, and aligned with organizational goals.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Communications Manager is responsible for driving clear, compelling storytelling that strengthens the Foundation’s visibility, deepens donor and community engagement, and supports fundraising success. Through strong project management and cross-functional collaboration, the role oversees the delivery of key communications initiatives, ensuring consistency in messaging, effective use of channels, and measurable impact across all activities.
What You’ll Do
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Plan and execute integrated communications strategies to support donor acquisition, engagement, and retention
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Oversee creation of fundraising appeals across multiple channels
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Develop clear, compelling, donor-focused content
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Prepare presentations and internal materials to support leadership and stakeholder engagement
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Manage direct mail strategy, including focused outreach, messaging, and performance tracking
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Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver integrated campaigns
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Source and bring to life impactful stories that highlight organizational impact
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Lead ambassador-style programs, fostering strong relationships with participants
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Coordinate and support volunteer and storyteller engagement
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Guide public relations efforts to strengthen visibility and community awareness
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Manage media relations, including outreach, pitching, and inquiries
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Oversee relationships with external partners and ensure alignment on messaging and deliverables
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Equip and guide spokespeople for media and public-facing opportunities
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Lead social media strategy, including content direction and performance goals
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Develop integrated marketing and communications plans that support brand and fundraising objectives
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Provide communications support for events and on-site initiatives as needed
What You Bring
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Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field
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Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in communications, preferably within a non-profit or fundraising environment
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Proven experience in fundraising communications, storytelling, campaign execution, and media relations
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Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats and audiences
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Strong strategic thinking and project management abilities, with capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
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Experience leading integrated marketing, communications, and PR strategies
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Proven experience in media relations and managing external communications partners
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Proficiency with digital tools, social media platforms, and email marketing systems
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Collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented with a strong results focus
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Knowledge of fundraising best practices and donor engagement strategies is an asset
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Passion for KidsAbility’s vision and purpose and ability to communicate impact effectively
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Creative, strategic, and data-informed approach to communications
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams
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Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
We invite applications from those interested in this position to apply through the KidsAbility Career Centre.
Our Commitment
KidsAbility Foundation is committed to ethical, donor-centered fundraising practices and to fostering an inclusive, respectful environment for staff, donors, and the community.We strive to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the selection process. Should any applicant require accommodation please contact Human Resources in advance for assistance.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are the core values of KidsAbility. We are a diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas that benefit our clients and the community. It is the policy of KidsAbility to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information or any other ground protected by applicable law.
Please note that all prospective KidsAbility employees are subject to mandatory immunization requirements, including the full and ongoing COVID-19 vaccination, as a condition of obtaining and maintaining employment. We will make accommodations as directed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
