Communications Co-op

Optima Living; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Optima Living in Vancouver is offering a co-op communications role funded through WIL Digital and Co-op Grants. The student will support internal and external communications across a multi-site organization, contributing to real projects impacting employees, residents, and operations. Term: 4-month or 8 months (preferred).

Compensation: $20/hour. Eligibility requires Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; international students are ineligible for funding.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a relevant post-secondary program.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with details and structured tasks.
• Ability to manage deadlines and priorities in a team setting.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Draft internal communications, newsletters, and updates.
• Support leadership messaging and announcements.
• Assist with communication planning for programs and initiatives.
• Conduct audience and engagement research.
• Maintain communication materials and templates.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Detail-oriented

Deadline management

Multitasking

Education

Post-secondary enrollment

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

About Optima Living

Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to provide a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care. What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers.

Today, Optima Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. Our innovative approach includes Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way; our proprietary brain health and care model. As the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, we proudly serve more than 6,000 residents.

Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy and a focus on innovation, we are redefining aging with purpose creating communities where seniors live with dignity, connection, and joy.

Location: Vancouver

Term: 4-month or 8 months (preferred)

Compensation: $20/hour

Position Summary: As a co-op student, you will not be doing side work, you will support internal and external communications across a multi-site organization, helping ensure clear, consistent messaging, and contribute to real projects that impact employees, residents, and operations across the organization.

These positions are funded through WIL Digital and Co-op Grants program. To qualify for a placement under the program's funding requirements, candidates must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons as defined under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. International students are ineligible for this funding program, as per the program’s eligibility criteria.

Why This Role

You will learn how communication supports culture, change management, and leadership alignment across a distributed organization.

Responsibilities

• Draft internal communications, newsletters, and updates
• Support leadership messaging and announcements
• Assist with communication planning for programs and initiatives
• Conduct audience and engagement research
• Maintain communication materials and templates

Qualifications and Experience

• Enrollment in a relevant post-secondary program
• Great written and oral communication skills
• Comfortable working with details and structured tasks
• Able to manage deadlines and handle multiple priorities
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Clear communication and willingness to ask questions
• Able to work independently and collaborate with a team
• Takes initiative and follows through on assigned work

Eligibility

• Enrolled in a Co-op or Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
• Currently attending a post-secondary institution
• Open to domestic students (Canadian Citizen/Permanent Residents) only.

Why Join Optima Living

• Work on real projects that impact 40+ communities across BC and Alberta
• Gain exposure to how a multi-site organization operates behind the scenes
• Learn directly from experienced professionals across functions
• Build practical skills you can use in future roles
• Contribute to work that supports seniors, teams, and communities
• Opportunity to extend your term or return for future roles based on performance

Embark on this journey with us and pave the way for a rewarding career in senior living.

Your journey starts here. Let us Welcome You Home