Canadian Renewable Energy Association – Communications Specialist

Who We Are

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) works to ensure that wind energy, solar energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada’s energy mix, leveraging the synergies among these technologies to provide clean, flexible, and affordable energy solutions. We are dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for Canada and future generations.

The Role

CanREA is looking to hire a full-time Communications Specialist on a one-year contract with the possibility of renewal. As part of a small but powerful communications team, you will be responsible for social media (content creation, scheduling and reporting, as per CanREA’s social media strategy), and for supporting the communications team as needed, such as website editing in WordPress, e-newsletters in MailChimp, tracking impact of media coverage using Meltwater tools, assisting with events, and more.

You will report to the Communications Director, work closely with the Communications Manager, and be part of various committees with staff from the policy, membership and business-development teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Social Media (50%)

  • Manage CanREA’s social communities on Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Manage content creation, including thematic, evergreen and promotional material, to maintain a constant stream of engaging posts (three per day).
  • Create visuals as needed for posts, using Canva or other illustration tools.
  • Share and respond to community-generated content on a daily basis.
  • Work with the Communications Manager to ensure content works in both French & English.
  • Assist with social media ad campaigns.
  • Track engagement and performance, reporting quarterly and annually.
  • Suggest and implement strategic improvements for performance enhancements each quarter as advised by the Communications Director.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Director to optimize CanREA’s social media strategy each year.

Communications Support (50%)

  • E-Newsletters: Assist the Communications Manager in managing CanREA’s three e-newsletters according to the production schedule, which includes laying them out in MailChimp, helping to manage mailing lists, and resolving any issues to keep bounce rates low. Track and report on relevant metrics and improve them by implementing best practices and technical changes as advised by the Communications Director. 
  • Media Coordination: Support CanREA’s media-relations efforts by assisting the Communications Director and the Communications Manager as needed with arranging photos for journalists, distributing media advisories and press releases, tracking media requests, interviews and coverage, and providing regular reports informed by Meltwater tools.
  • Website editing: Assist the Communications Manager in editing the CanREA website, using WordPress.
  • Events: Provide communications support to CanREA events, as needed.
  • Other duties may be assigned as required.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following education, experience and skills:

  • Recent university graduate with a degree in communications, journalism, literature or marketing.
  • 3+ years of experience in a communications role at a non-profit organization, association or equivalent. Experience working in the energy or environment sector is considered an asset.
  • Experience managing social media in a professional setting, including a proven ability to grow engagement with target audiences and manage issues that arise.
  • High comfort level with Hootsuite, Twitter and LinkedIn, and a strong understanding of best practices.
  • Experience formatting photos and images for social media use.
  • Working knowledge of WordPress and MailChimp is an important asset.
  • Canva, Basecamp, Google Analytics, and similar comms tools is an added bonus.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to work effectively in a remote capacity.
  • Bilingualism: The ability to write exceptionally well in English is essential, and to write well in French for social media is an asset.

Cultural Fit

  • Curiosity, eagerness to learn.
  • Team player with a demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to balance independence with teamwork.
  • Strong work ethic, conscientiousness, with strong skills in time management, organization and communication.
  • Self-motivated and results-driven, with a high-level of energy, enthusiasm and initiative.
  • You work well under pressure, maintaining discretion, tact, good judgement, respect for others and a sense of humour.
  • Well grounded, with outside interests and the ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

  • One-year contract with possibility of renewal
  • Employer-matched RRSP contributions
  • Competitive health & dental plan
  • Three weeks paid vacation
  • Paid time off from Dec 20 to Jan 1.
  • Financial support for setting up ergonomic home office.

Location

CanREA’s team has moved to an entirely remote working arrangement. Occasional travel is anticipated in future.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of application and resume indicating why you are uniquely qualified for this position to: crolland@businesssherpagroup.com.

Closing date: September 9, 2021

We thank all applicants for their interest in CanREA, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

CanREA is an equal-opportunity employer with policies and practices intended to build an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please include this in your cover letter and all efforts to provide the appropriate accommodation will be put into place.