CharityVillage

About The Career Foundation:
The Career Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization that offers a wide range of employment, training, and HR services to job seekers and employers. Since its inception in 1988, The Career Foundation has steadily expanded its services. Operating out of multiple locations, we now help thousands of people each year successfully accomplish their employment goals. Our team of dedicated professionals has described The Career Foundation as caring, compassionate, innovative, and team-oriented. For more information about us and our services, please visit our website at CareerFoundation.com.

Some of the benefits and features available to our employees include: 

• Competitive compensation
• A comprehensive Health Benefits plan that includes massage therapy, naturopath services, travel coverage, and much more
• A comprehensive Dental Insurance plan
• An RRSP Matching benefit
• An Employee & Family Assistance program
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Paid days off for religious observance purposes
• Paid days off for personal wellness purposes

Position Summary: Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Development, Corporate and Community Partnerships, the Communications Specialist plays a key role in advancing The Career Foundation’s brand and mission through strategic marketing and communications. As a vital member of the Marketing and Communications team, the Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications that enhance awareness of the organization’s programs, services, and impact. This includes creating compelling content across digital platforms, managing social media engagement, producing professional marketing materials, and supporting public relations initiatives. The role requires a creative and detail-oriented communicator with a passion for community-driven work and a strong commitment to accessibility, brand consistency, and stakeholder engagement.

Position Type:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week), one-year contract with strong potential for permanency

Base Location and Travel Requirements:

• The designated base location for this opportunity is our Head Office in North York (Lawrence Ave. & Allen Rd.). The successful candidate will also be required to travel, as needed, to other company locations, including Toronto, Etobicoke, York, Scarborough, and Hamilton, as well as to external stakeholder sites within the communities we serve, to fulfill the scope of the position.  
• This opportunity also permits a hybrid-remote work schedule contingent on operational needs and scope of work. The hybrid schedule requires a private work-from-home space with reliable high-speed internet. A company laptop, cell phone, and other equipment will be provided.

VSC Requirement:

• An offer of employment for this opportunity will be contingent on the incumbent providing an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Check.

Reporting to:

• Vice President, Strategic Development, Corporate and Community Partnerships

Responsibilities include:

• Adheres to a marketing and communications plan to increase awareness and visibility of the organization among various stakeholder groups.
• Writes compelling copy for social media posts, newsletters, event pages, and promotional ad campaigns.
• Utilizes Canva and other software to create marketing materials for all programs and departments, including but not limited to flyers, videos, and social media content, and adheres to government funders’ communications guidelines regarding funding acknowledgements.
• Develops and schedules engaging content across all major social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, etc.) to promote The Career Foundation’s brand, service offerings, events, job opportunities, and other initiatives while responding to and supporting online user engagement.
• Collaborates with the Marketing and Communications team to refine social media strategies and best practices, and creates, posts, and monitors social media content and inquiries on all social media platforms.
• Develops internal communications and helps maintain brand consistency across platforms.
• Develops content for monthly internal and external newsletters.
• Records, edits, and uploads digital content to various channels, including podcasts, recorded webinars, and informational videos, including sourcing appropriate images and video B-roll.
• Attends important company events (e.g., milestone events, large-scale hiring events, public relations events) frequently to photograph and/or record video footage for use in marketing materials and creates signage and processes to ensure attendees are aware of and have agreed to be in recordings.
• Updates digital communications tracker on a monthly basis to capture the number of monthly web visitors, podcast listens, and other data.
• Works in collaboration with various departments to maintain the organization’s website, including writing and designing new web pages that provide consistent flow, and writing detailed descriptions, captions, and alt text for images to improve search engine optimization (SEO) and to comply with the AODA and WCAG 2.0 Level AA requirements for accessible images and multimedia.
• Ensures that all products prepared for the public are accessible and meet AODA requirements.
• Reviews and edits written materials for the organization, including contributing to the creation of funding proposals and reports, as well as annual reports, to support the organization’s growth initiatives.
• Updates and maintains, on a monthly basis, the organization’s CASL-compliant mailing lists of contacts that have opted in or out of receiving the organization’s email communications.
• Supports registrations for large-scale events and works in collaboration with management to organize staff schedules.
• Conducts regular quality assurance audits of all job postings that are prepared by program staff on behalf of employer partners.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of The Career Foundation’s core values, strategic priorities, policies, procedures, and goals to collaborate effectively and provide excellent service to various stakeholders.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications/ Skills Required:

• Post secondary diploma or degree in marketing or communications is highly preferred, or an equivalent combination of practical work experience and education is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of hands-on digital marketing experience and experience creating various types of marketing collateral is required, including use of Hootsuite, email marketing software, and WordPress. Note: Candidates will be asked to submit samples of their past work prior to reaching the interview stage.
• Advanced proficiency in marketing and design software is required, including Canva, as well as experience in an Office365 environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of various social media platforms, effective storytelling, and digital marketing.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate information verbally and in writing.
• Exceptional writing skills and attention to detail to produce professional, error-free communication materials that align with the organization’s standards.
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management, and the ability to multi-task in order to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Must be positive and results-driven in nature, with a record of achieving and exceeding assigned goals and deadlines.
• Self-starter with creativity, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for community-driven work.
• Exceptional customer service skills and the ability to uphold the organization’s service standards, policies, and core values.
• A professional and courteous approach to client service, with a high level of respect for the diversity of the people served.
• Ability to maintain sensitive information, exhibit tact, diplomacy, and good judgment, with high standards of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Willingness to step in to assist team members as needed to help ensure goals are met.
• Ability to build strong working team relationships.
• Punctual, self-motivated, and self-directed.
• Willingness and flexibility to work onsite at all of the company’s locations and other stakeholder sites as needed to fulfill the scope of the position, as well as to occasionally work outside of normal business hours during peak periods, when required.
• A team player with a positive attitude and a dedicated work ethic.