Volunteer Director of Social Media and Media Relations

Reports to: Executive Director

Time Commitment: 4 – 6 hours per week

Position Type: Volunteer, Remote

Term: 6-months (renewable)

Role Overview

The Volunteer Director of Social Media & Media Relations is responsible for shaping, strengthening, and amplifying the DSVSC's national digital presence while cultivating strategic relationships with municipal, provincial, and national media outlets. This role provides leadership, direction, and oversight for all digital communications and media engagement, while delegating day-to-day content creation to volunteer content creators, writers and graphic designers.

The Director plays a critical role in positioning the organization as a trusted and leading national voice on issues related to gender-based violence, online sexual violence, online safety, and survivor advocacy. They ensure that all communications are trauma-informed, accurate, mission-aligned, and reflective of the organization’s values.

Background

The Digital Sexual Violence Support Centre (DSVSC) is a federally incorporated non-profit that offers peer support, workshops, survivor-centred research and community outreach to adults who've experienced technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). To learn more about us, please visit: www.thedsvsc.ca

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Digital Leadership (Planning & Oversight)

• Develop and maintain a high-level social media and digital communications strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Establish annual objectives related to brand visibility, audience growth, engagement, and media outreach.
• Oversee the organization’s digital brand identity to ensure consistency in tone, visual style, messaging, and values.
• Conduct quarterly reviews to assess digital performance, identify gaps, and adjust the media strategy accordingly.
• Ensure all content and media interactions are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive.

2. Delegation & Team Coordination

• Delegate day-to-day content creation to social media volunteers, peer support workers, interns, or consultants.
• Provide clear briefs, guidelines, and expectations for content contributors.
• Review and approve content before publication to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with brand standards.
• Coordinate with program leads to ensure content supports campaigns, public education, and community engagement.
• Maintain an up-to-date monthly content calendar in collaboration with the volunteer team.

3. Media Relations (Primary Leadership Responsibility)

• Lead the development of relationships with municipal, provincial, and national media outlets, journalists, podcast hosts, and digital news platforms.
• Develop the DSVSC's media contact list.
• Draft and distribute media advisories, press releases, and statements on behalf of the organization.
• Respond to media inquiries, coordinate interviews, and prepare organizational spokespeople.
• Identify opportunities for guest articles, expert commentaries, and feature stories that elevate the program visibility and survivor advocacy issues presented by the DSVSC
• Track national media coverage across Canada and report outcomes to the Executive Director.

4. Reputation Management & Communications Leadership

• Monitor online conversations, mentions, and trends relevant to the DSVSC's mission.
• Lead crisis communication responses in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Ensure messaging around sensitive topics (e.g., sexual violence, digital harm, justice processes) follows safety and accuracy guidelines.
• Provide coaching and support to other team members who serve as public-facing representatives.

5. Partnership Development & Cross-Organizational Collaboration

• Lead partnership discussions with other nonprofits, community organizations, influencers, and media professionals for collaborative campaigns.
• Collaborate with program teams to ensure communications align with program goals, including peer support advertising and awareness projects.
• Support fundraising or sponsorship teams with communications needed for donor visibility.

6. Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track engagement analytics and media pickup using tools such as Meta Insights, Hootsuite, Sprout, or native platform dashboards.
• Prepare quarterly reporting to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on:
• Audience growth
• Reach and engagement metrics
• Media mentions
• Campaign performance
• Opportunities for improvement
• Recommend new digital tactics or communication channels based on insights and trends.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of social media strategy, platform algorithms, and audience engagement.
• Prior experience in social media, media relations, public relations, journalism, or digital communications.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed communication and ethical storytelling practices.
• Excellent writing, editing, and messaging skills.
• Ability to delegate work effectively and provide constructive feedback.
• Comfort representing the DSVSC publicly and building relationships with journalists.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.

Assets

• Experience in gender-based violence, digital safety, victim advocacy, or related sectors.
• Graphic design or video editing experience (helpful, but not required to perform the role).
• Existing relationships with media contacts in Canada.
• Experience supervising volunteers or small teams.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Implementing a clear and consistent digital non-profit brand that's recognized across Canada.
• The development of strong and proactive media relationships, which result in increased national coverage and visibility.
• A steady pipeline of high-quality content produced through effective delegation.
• Increased engagement, follower growth, and public awareness of our peer support program, workshops and related activities.
• Improved internal workflows for content creation and media communications.
• Clear, trauma-informed messaging that strengthens community trust and safety.