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Communications & Engagement Lead
Department: Development
Reports To: Senior Director, Development; with a secondary, functional reporting relationship to the Chief Executive Officer
Location: 277 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B1
Employment Type: Full-time
Pay Band: To Be Determined
To apply to this position: fill in the form on this page
POSITION SUMMARY
The Communications and Engagement Lead plays a key role in sharing Kemp Care Network’s story and strengthening relationships with the community, partners, donors, and internal teams. This role balances strategic planning with hands-on delivery, ensuring that day-to-day communications and engagement activities are organized, timely, and aligned with Kemp Care Network’s mission and values.
The Communications and Engagement Lead develops and coordinates clear, compassionate, and consistent communications with a focus on storytelling, stakeholder engagement, social media, and brand integrity. The role has primary responsibility for social media and digital engagement, alongside broader communications activities that highlight hospice, grief and bereavement, and pediatric hospice services in an approachable, person-centred way.
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications
• Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience
• Approximately 4 – 6 years of progressive experience in communications, marketing or engagement roles, ideally in healthcare, hospice, nonprofit, or community-based settings
• Demonstrated experience planning and delivering communications and engagement activities (e.g., campaigns, newsletters, event communications, digital content) with multiple stakeholders
• Hands-on experience managing organizational social media channels, including content planning, posting and monitoring
• Experience writing and editing for multiple channels (web, email, print, social) and adapting for different audiences
• Comfort working with digital tools such as email marketing platforms, social media scheduling tools, basic design tools (e.g. Canva), and website content management systems.
Values and Compliance
• Demonstrated commitment to dignity, collaboration, compassion, empathy, inclusivity, excellence and continuous professional development
• Satisfactory current criminal reference check, including vulnerable sector screening, required
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with clear, concise, and audience appropriate style.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate organizational priorities into practical communication and engagement plans.
• Project coordination and organizational skills, including managing timelines, multiple priorities, and approvals.
• Relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across programs, leadership, and external partners.
• High degree of empathy, discretion, and professionalism when working with sensitive stories related to serious illness, grief, and end-of-life care.
• Initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• Commitment to Kemp Care Network’s values of dignity, compassion, collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence.
CERTIFICATIONS
• Professional certifications in communications, public relations, or digital marketing (e.g., CPRS APR, IABC CMP, Google Analytics, Meta or Hootsuite social media certificates) are considered an asset.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities
• Develop and coordinate internal and external communications plans that support Kemp Care Network programs, fundraising initiatives, and the launch and growth of Keaton’s House.
• Lead social media and digital engagement including content planning, creation, posting, community management, and analytics across platforms.
• Create and edit content such as newsletters, website copy, campaign materials, key messages, and talking points that reflect Kemp Care Network’s voice and values.
• Support storytelling by working with staff, volunteers, and families (where appropriate) to share experiences that illustrate the impact of hospice and grief services with sensitivity and respect.
• Coordinate communications for programs and events such as grief and bereavement programs, Camp Keaton, Day Wellness, and signature fundraising events, ensuring timelines, approvals, and deliverables are clearly tracked.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (e.g., agencies, designers, printers) to manage assets and ensure consistency in messaging and visual identity.
• Support media and public relations activities, including preparing background materials, drafting basic media content, and coordinating responses with leadership as needed.
• Maintain shared communications calendars and support updates to the website and other digital channels to keep content accurate, accessible, and current.
WORKING CONDITIONS
• This is an onsite position working 37.5 hours per week during regular business hours
• While typical work schedule is normally Monday to Friday, there will also be the ability to work flexible hours including occasional evening hours and weekends to meet the needs of the hospice
• Occasional travel may be necessary for collaboration with Hamilton Health Sciences and other hospice visits, training and off-site event attendance
• The working environment is collaborative, dynamic, and mission-focused, with a commitment to diversity, accessibility, and supporting staff well-being
WHO WE ARE
Who We Are
Kemp Care Network (KCN) is more than just an organization; it’s a compassionate community dedicated to serving the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual needs of individuals and their loved ones, living with a serious illness, facing their last chapter or grieving a death.
Our History
Thirty years ago, Dr. Bob Kemp recognized an opportunity to redefine how palliative care was offered in the Greater Hamilton Area. Foremost, a founding value was to serve all, especially the most vulnerable. And it all started with a generous donation of land by Iris Berryman.
Mission/Vision
Mission
To care for every individual and their loved ones with dignity, compassion and attention to their physical, social and psychological well-being during times of serious, life-limiting illness and loss. We lead, collaborate and drive meaningful improvements to palliative care services with partners across our community.
Vision
To establish KCN as a world-class leader in regional palliative-care in alignment with our founding values while evolving to best serve our community.
Values
• Dignity: We focus on quality of living and ensuring the experience of our residents and their families is based in dignity and respect.
• Compassion: Our care for residents and their families is based in compassion, empathy and kindness.
• Collaboration: We actively build relationships and work with partners and our community as part of a continuum of care.
• Inclusivity: We welcome diversity in our residents and deliver care in an inclusive manner that considers their unique needs.
• Excellence: We are dedicated to a high quality of care and strive to continually improve and contribute to the advancement of our field.
EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Kemp Care Network (KCN) is committed to providing equal treatment with respect to employment in accordance with the protected grounds established under the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will work to ensure that all employees (workers) are provided with meaningful employment that is ethical and fair, and is in compliance with all applicable employment, and human rights legislation.
KCN provides accessible employment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. We strive to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone by identifying and removing barriers in our workplace and ensuring that new barriers are not created.
The organization ensures that persons with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities. We are committed to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and integrative manner that respects their dignity and independence.
Accommodations are available on request for all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to make their needs known in advance.