About Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending enables immigrants and refugees to build careers in Canada while reducing poverty and labour shortages. We do this by offering affordable loans along with career assessment coaching, financial literacy training, and mentorship for newcomers who lack access to mainstream credit. Since 2005, Windmill has provided over 10,000 loans to clients in healthcare, IT, financial services, law, engineering, and many other fields to triple their incomes as a result of our affordable loans and support. Windmill is a registered Canadian charity supported by donations and community bonds from the private sector and grants from the public sector.

Position Overview

The Quebec Marketing & Communications Specialist will be a key member of the Marketing and Communications team, developing and implementing tactics and programs to drive awareness of Windmill Microlending’s objective of helping skilled immigrants and refugees restart their careers in Quebec and other francophone communities across Canada. The Quebec Marketing & Communications Specialist is passionate about storytelling and innovative with ideas. They are bi-lingual and have work experience in Quebec. They are excited to execute a marketing and communications strategy in the Quebec market and for the Francophone audience. This work will increase Windmill’s visibility and credibility via media relations, social media, website content, newsletters, advertising, collateral, and other marketing and communications initiatives. The Windmill environment is fast-paced and entrepreneurial. The Quebec Marketing & Communications Specialist will have the following responsibilities:

Communications (40%)

• Media relations, including planning, development of media materials, interview preparation for Windmill staff and stakeholders, media outreach, and reporting
• Responsible for a wide variety of writing projects, including the development of client success stories, email marketing campaigns, marketing collateral, web content, fact sheets, and social media
• Write/solicit content and manage client, development and partner e-newsletters
• Ensure all Windmill communications adhere to the company’s style guide

Marketing (40%)

• Design, write and post engaging social media content (including reels) that builds awareness of Windmill and supports client acquisition, including community management
• Explore new social media influencers, channels, trending content, related awareness days and other opportunities to advance Windmill’s marketing objectives
• Work with Windmill’s English SEO Specialist to develop a French and Quebec SEO strategy
• Work with Windmill’s English Digital Advertising Specialist to develop French advertising content
• Work with external video production partners to develop video content
• Monitor and provide monthly reports on earned media, paid media, SEO, and social media performance
• Administrative tasks, including website updates, French translations, and administrative support for advertising campaigns)
• Support the Quebec Partnerships team at events and other partnership-related activities.
• Other activities/projects as assigned by the Manager or National Director

Project Management (20%)

• Proactively execute the marketing and communications strategy, and manage each project from start to finish
• Develop work back schedules, organize projects on Asana (project management software), coordinate with other team members, and ensure projects are executed on time and on budget
• Develop and maintain French content calendar

Ideal Candidate:

You have an ambitious growth mindset and thrive at a dynamic and high-impact charity. You share our values and passion for helping skilled immigrants prosper and reducing poverty in Canada. You are an excellent writer with experience in PR and media relations. You are an innovative marketer with experience managing social media, digital advertising and SEO, content development, website management, and email marketing.

You are proactive in seeking out new and creative opportunities to build brand awareness. You know the Quebec market well, and you’re excited to collaborate with a team that shares your enthusiasm in elevating our organization’s brand and reputation.

Competencies and Characteristics:

• Strong and compelling writer with experience writing/editing communications and marketing materials
• Demonstrated experience in media relations and PR
• Demonstrated experience with social media and digital communications, including creation of campaigns to build awareness and/or drive client acquisition
• Creative, innovative, organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable managing and prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously and handling multiple deadlines with efficiency
• Able to work independently, as part of a local team, and as part of a national team located across the country
• Proactive in seeking out new and creative opportunities to build brand awareness and loyalty
• Excellent people skills; experience in collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse and dynamic team
• High-energy, self-motivated approach and entrepreneurial aptitude

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Three to five years’ experience in a marketing/communications/public relations capacity; post-secondary education in this area is considered an asset
• Advanced English and French language skills - written and verbal
• Related experience which demonstrates growth and the progression of skills and responsibilities
• Content development and copywriting experience across digital media and social media platforms, e-newsletters, web pages, Meta, X, LinkedIn and other digital channels
• Working knowledge of content management and analytics tools and platforms such as Google Analytics, HubSpot and Meltwater
• Proficient in web publishing tools
• A portfolio of work available for review

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid work environment in our Montreal office – minimum 2 days/office, up to 3days/remote
• Full-time (40 hours/week)

Salary:

• Starting range $60,000-65,000 annually, based on skills and experience required for the role
• Windmill offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, health/wellness, GRSP and vacation benefits.

We thank all candidates in advance. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview. To apply, please submit, in confidence, a résumé along with a cover letter that sets out your interest in the role and highlights your relevant experience. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter. The preferred method of application is via email to hr@teamwindmill.org (reference: Quebec Marketing and Communications Specialist).Windmill Microlending is an equal opportunity employer. Adhering to Canada’s Human Rights Act, Windmill grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, colour, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, citizenship, ancestry, ethnic origin, age, or place of origin. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an active participant in the Federal Government’s 50-30 Challenge, we are committed to building a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant economic future for Canadians by attaining gender parity and significant representation of underrepresented groups on our board and in senior management positions. Information on Windmill Microlending - http://www.windmillmicrolending.org