Communications Specialist (Hybrid)
About HIEC
HIEC is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise that focuses on partnership, mentorship, and workforce development in Ontario. With over 30 years of experience as an active community-focused organization, HIEC’s goal is to enhance career education and inspire youth to make informed career decisions. We offer a team environment that encourages innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit.
One of HIEC’s core programs/services is the online platform ApprenticeSearch.com, which connects job seekers and employers in the skilled trades. ApprenticeSearch.com has addressed and removed barriers to apprenticeship by helping candidates find jobs, and has made it easier for small, medium, and large Ontario employers to hire the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses. Please visit https://apprenticesearch.com/ for more information.
The Package
Our Compensation package includes a competitive base salary and benefits that include LTD, Life Insurance, AD&D Coverage, Extended Healthcare and Vision Coverage. We also offer paid time off over the holidays that is not included in your vacation allotment!
Job Position
We are currently seeking a highly motivated, creative, collaborative and entrepreneurially minded individual who is passionate about the skilled trades. Specifically, the Communications Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing communications plans to support a variety of internal and external initiatives. This individual will require knowledge on topics such as branding, media relations, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, community management, and issues management.
Successful candidates will have client-facing experience related to non-for-profit stakeholder relations . This role is well-suited to an energetic and organized individual with strong written, verbal communication skills and a strong proficiency with using technology daily and learning new systems/platforms. Experience or knowledge with the skilled trades sector is a strong asset.
Applicants are asked to provide a cover letter with their submission.
Key areas of responsibility will include:
- Work directly with the Manager of Communications and Executive Leadership team to recommend and develop communication tactics that support internal and external communications
- Develop and write key messages/content for communication materials in all media formats (i.e., print, web, digital, social media, presentations, videos, briefing notes, speaking notes, success stories, etc.)
- Consult, plan, and execute integrated strategic communication plans (internal and external) to support agency initiatives and provide counsel to senior management on strategic initiatives
- Support communication-related reporting needs (e.g., key performance indicators)
- Create, implement, and manage consistent brand/visual identity and language across multiple mediums (print, web, signage)
- Act as a subject matter expect in communications, based on best practice learning, and provide expertise and advice across the organization to ensure products, information, guidance, and resources are widely available, known and utilized
- Work alongside other communication and marketing team members to support goals and objectives related to projects and initiatives
- Coordinate the marketing and communications departments to ensure a consistent message and decrease any overlap in duties
- Provide editing services to ensure that all communications are appropriately worded (both in grammar and in content)
- Provide additional communications support to the Communications Manager as needed
- Liaise with external vendors where appropriate
- Leads events and provides communication and logistic coordination
- Assist with fundraising initiatives including proposal writing and reporting as required
- Ensure that all materials are developed and distributed according to an appropriate timeline
- Research and help to develop and implement new marketing programs, including direct mail, corporate sales, internet marketing, conventions, workshops, advertisements, sales tools, and other initiatives
- Work with designers, writers, editors, and other creative staff to produce marketing collateral in accordance with brand messages
- Ensure that all materials are developed and distributed according to an appropriate timeline
- Provides advanced editing and proofreading support
- Preparing and supporting implementation of departmental communications and external engagement plans – inclusive of information gathering, writing, and editing
- Participate and assist with event and marketing project
Key Competencies:
- Demonstrated skills in managing multiple projects to meet established deadlines
- Outstanding ability to communicate with all levels/stakeholders while fostering constructive interpersonal relationships
- Resourceful and able to proactively anticipate needs and provide solutions to effectively deal with challenging situations
- Strong skills in building and maintaining successful relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- Self-starter, ability to multi-task and deal with multiple demands and deadlines
- Politically and culturally sensitive
- Analytical problem solver, and capable of identifying alternate solutions and viewing solutions from many perspectives
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
- Interest and ability to work in a smaller-sized, not-for-profit organization
- Knowledge of communications and marketing best practices
Qualifications to succeed:
- Post-Secondary education in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field is mandatory;
- 4 years of progressive experience in a communications role;
- Experience with non-for-profit organizations is an asset;
- Experience in government relations is an asset;
- Knowledge of communications plans, strategies, and experiences developing a wide range of communications tools;
- Must have superior communication (verbal and written/report-writing), and interpersonal skills. Strong customer service orientation and ability to establish and build effective relationships with media, Council, and residents;
- Proven experience in drafting, editing, production and distribution of a range of corporate communications materials, including news releases, notices, and alerts, articles, briefings, and summaries;
- Ability to understand the company’s business objectives and effectively apply them;
- Must have strong research, administration, design layout, project development skills, digital communications knowledge, including marketing and promotion
Working Conditions
- Typical office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with some requirement to work additional hours, occasionally during evenings and weekends (up to 44 hours per week)
- Currently work is remote/from home, with a planned return to work in our Burlington office when it is safe to do so.
- Required to travel within Ontario for presentations, partnership meetings, trade shows, conferences, etc.
HIEC is committed to equity and creating a respectful and inclusive workplace culture that reflects the broad diversity of communities we work with. This includes people who identify as immigrants, refugees, women, Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2S+ people of colour, and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for qualified candidates during each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that candidates applying for Canadian job openings should be authorized to work in Canada. Please contact Human Resources by phone at (905) 634-2575 ext. 107
As a condition of employment, HIEC requires individuals to be "fully vaccinated" (as defined by the Government of Ontario), against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Notwithstanding, HIEC will provide reasonable accommodation to any individual who is not able to comply with this vaccination requirement due to a disability or other ground protected by the Ontario 'Human Rights Code'. If you require such accommodation, please contact HR as soon as possible (905) 634-2575 ext. 107
We thank all applicants for applying; however, only selected applicants will be contacted for a preliminary interview.
