Communications Lead

About the Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Lead will oversee all of Cycle Toronto’s communications channels and help develop Cycle Toronto’s culture and impact. You will play an essential role in our organization, as sharing the work we do with others is what changes hearts and minds in building public and political support for a safe, healthy, and vibrant cycling city for all.

Terms of Employment

Full time, Permanent position. 40 hours/week with 30 minute paid lunch break
Start Date: October 2019 or as soon as possible
Salary: $45-000-$47,000 per year, pro-rated, commensurate with experience
Location: open-concept office at The Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave, Toronto
A competitive health benefits and vacation package are available upon completion of a successful 3-month probation period. We also offer benefits like Bike Share Toronto, and professional development opportunities to our staff.

The Ideal Candidate

You have a passion for cycling and a strong interest in public policy, city-building, local politics, and content creation for a variety of mediums. We don't equate a passion for cycling with the number of kilometers you ride. You have experience working collaboratively with a team and in an office setting. You are interested in growing professionally with Cycle Toronto and have one to four years experience (work or volunteering).

Roles & Responsibilities

• Oversee the production and distribution of written and visual communications and compelling marketing materials e.g., photography, videos, promotional messaging, presentations, partner deliverables for campaigns, programs and membership drives

• Create innovative and engaging content and maintain Cycle Toronto’s social media channels, website, Ring & Post e-newsletter, and online profiles using digital engagement tools and strategies (e.g. Hootsuite, Canva, Facebook Ads, SEO)

• Design and/or work with designers to produce compelling graphic and web materials for campaigns, programs, and events, ensuring brand consistency and accurate messaging

• Produce creative briefs, and ensure brand standards are implemented,using Cycle Toronto’s graphic toolkit as needed

• Work with photographers, videographers, and web developers to produce resources and promotional content for campaigns, programs, fundraising drives, and events

• Deliver engaging communications to members and donors and help ensure member and donor fundraising targets are met

• Develop media releases and action alerts related to priority advocacy campaigns and programs; support the planning and execution of press conferences 

• Track and manage Cycle Toronto’s Business Membership communications deliverables, including maintaining correspondence, ensuring membership and marketing materials and merchandise are up to date, develop partnership proposals and presentations

• Oversee monthly online mailing schedule to deliver coordinated and impactful messaging across thematic areas

• Evaluate and maintain up-to-date records of media coverage, web analytics, social media, partner & business member deliverables, event attendance, and other metrics to track performance and conversions as needed
   

Qualifications

• Familiarity with cycling in Toronto. Rides a bicycle for transportation and is passionate about building a healthy, vibrant, and safe cycling city for all 

• Education: Post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent experience. Preference for designation in public policy, public relations, journalism, urban planning, communications, marketing, or fundraising or a related field to the position

• Work experience: Professional work experience in a relevant field. Asset to have worked either with or within a not-for-profit organization or charity

• Political curiosity: Interest in municipal politics, transportation, and/or grassroots advocacy

• Marketing, storytelling: Awareness of best practices for social marketing and storytelling for change. 

• Writing: Demonstrates proficiency in writing and editing compelling content for a variety of mediums and contexts (e.g., blog, newsletter, social media, press release). Able to write in Cycle Toronto’s voice

• Social media: Experience with and passion for social media and its ability to change the conversation

• Branding: Experience in developing and maintaining brand presence across all communications channels

• Graphic Campaigns: Has led or helped to lead graphic campaigns and is able to produce compelling web and communications materials

• Social equity: Commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Demonstrates professionalism in working with a variety of stakeholders of diverse interests and backgrounds

• Organizational skills: Comfortable both leading and taking direction and can prioritize multiple projects under competing deadlines

• Entrepreneurial: results-driven, taking initiative to grow Cycle Toronto’s audience and impact

Assets

• Experience with Drupal or other content management systems (CMS), such as Wordpress, and web-based databases

• Experience with HTML and/or CSS

• Professional graphic design certification and/or experience. Comfort with graphic design software: e.g., Adobe Design Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) 

• Involvement with active transportation campaigns or Cycle Toronto’s campaigns
   

About the Organization

Cycle Toronto is a member-supported not-for-profit organization that works to make Toronto a healthy, safe and vibrant cycling city for all. We are focused on advocacy, education and encouragement, as we work to shape policy and infrastructure, and build community to transform our city’s cycling culture. We engage a diversity of people in our work, pursuing evidence-based solutions that make cycling a viable option for all Torontonians.
 

Office Culture and Work Environment

Cycle Toronto is located within the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in a private office. You will be a part of a small but mighty team and the CSI community. Some benefits of being located within CSI include weekly food events, such as salad club and bagel bonding, as well as monthly barbeques and pancake brunch potlucks. CSI is a dog-friendly office and you are welcome to bring your well-trained dog to the Cycle Toronto office.

We’re a staff team that prides ourselves on having a big impact. We depend on each other and work collaboratively, yet manage many of our projects independently. We often work under tight deadlines and each team member delivers multiple projects at once.
 

Application process

To apply, send your resume and cover letter outlining why this role at Cycle Toronto is of interest to you to [email protected] in one PDF document with the subject line “Communications Lead” by September 15, 2019. We will aim to hold interviews shortly thereafter. We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 

Cycle Toronto values diversity and is committed to equity and inclusion. We encourage applications from people who reflect our city's diverse communities.  Accommodation in the hiring process and during employment will be provided in accordance with Ontario’s Human Rights Code.