Communications Specialist

Windmill Microlending; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian charitable organization in Toronto is seeking a Communications Specialist to enhance engagement among newcomers. This role involves creating content for social media and blogs, managing community engagement, and supporting internal communications. Candidates should have strong writing skills, project management experience, and a passion for storytelling. This full-time position offers a salary between $65,000–$75,000, along with hybrid work options and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Three weeks' vacation

Annual Wellness Budget

Comprehensive benefits plan

Qualifications

• Minimum three to five years' experience in a communications capacity.
• Advanced English skills, written and verbal.
• Experience across social media platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead content creation across social media and organizational blogs.
• Develop and execute a social media strategy.
• Monitor marketing and communications inboxes.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Project management experience

Digital fluency

Intermediate skills in video editing

Education

Post-secondary education in marketing or communications

Tools

Canva

CapCut

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

About Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending empowers skilled immigrants and refugees to build careers in Canada while reducing poverty and labour shortages. We do this by offering affordable loans along with client success coaching, financial literacy training, and mentorship for newcomers who lack access to mainstream credit.

Since 2005, Windmill has provided over 14,000 loans to clients in healthcare, IT, financial services, law, engineering, and many other fields to triple their incomes as a result of returning to their trained fields. Windmill is a registered Canadian charity supported by donations and community bonds from the private sector and grants from the public sector.

At Windmill, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of newcomers. Join a diverse, dynamic team at a leading Canadian not-for-profit where empowering our clients starts with creating an enjoyable workplace for our staff. Our commitment to a fulfilling environment is evident in our 85+% average employee engagement scores on our annual survey.

The role

Windmill Microlending is seeking a creative and detail‑oriented Communications Specialist to help expand Windmill’s reach among newcomers to Canada and strengthen staff engagement through internal communications.

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, you'll lead content creation across social media and organizational blogs, manage online community engagement, and create engaging reels to showcase Windmill as a human‑centric organization with a diverse team. You’ll also coordinate photo and video shoots, optimize client journey email campaigns and enhance client resources.

Strong writing skills, project management experience and a passion for shaping excellent client experience are essential.

Key responsibilities

Communications – external and internal (40%)

• Create blog content to highlight Windmill’s loan products, milestones and employee spotlights.
• Develop internal communications to strengthen staff connection.
• Plan, write and manage the quarterly newsletter to engage stakeholders, in collaboration with development and government staff.
• Write content for the annual Impact Report, in collaboration with development and government staff.
• Research and prepare award submissions to elevate Windmill’s profile and visibility.
• Ensure all content follows Windmill’s brand and writing style guidelines.
• Coordinate French translations with internal team members and external vendors.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers and other partners to produce impactful content.
• Leverage AI tools and digital workflows to increase efficiency, creativity and scalability.
• Monitor marketing and communications inboxes and direct inquiries to the appropriate departments.
• Support organization‑wide initiatives and special projects as assigned by the Marketing Manager or National Director.

Social media management (40%)

• Develop and execute a social media strategy that drives awareness and supports client and donor growth.
• Create, write and schedule engaging social media content (including reels and stories) across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, , YouTube), in collaboration with development and government staff.
• Manage Windmill’s social media accounts, ensuring timely and proactive community management (monitoring and responding to comments, messages and inquiries).
• Identify and recommend emerging social media trends and influencers, aligned with marketing and communications goals.
• Track and report on social media performance metrics.
• Design and adapt visual content using Canva and Capcut for social media graphics and reels.

Client experience (30%)

• Write and edit client email campaigns and website content to ensure clarity and conversion.
• Develop and update client resources such as Trending Jobs Report, Education Pathways and Financial Literacy Modules.
• Maintain and refine client journey maps to enhance every touchpoint of the client experience.
• Create touchpoints and communications with the client lifecycle in mind, helping clients progress from client to alumni to ambassador, mentor and donor.
• Monitor and respond to Google reviews to maintain a positive brand presence.
• Monitor team inboxes and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.

Ideal candidate

You bring proven experience in developing and managing engaging marketing and communications content across social media, email campaigns and the website with a sharp focus on brand alignment, performance, and impact. You demonstrate strong capabilities in writing, scheduling, and optimizing content, as well as managing online communities with tact, clarity and responsiveness.

Your attention to detail and passion for storytelling are matched by your ability to prioritize tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and maintain quality in a fast‑paced, evolving environment. You approach challenges with creativity, curiosity and initiative, always seeking new ways to improve, scale and refine your efforts.

You collaborate confidently and professionally with internal teams, external vendors and diverse audiences. You bring a strong understanding of digital platforms such as Canva, CapCut, and Asana and you effectively leverage AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency.

Above all, you are inspired by Windmill’s mission. You are motivated by the opportunity to use your communication skills to elevate the voices of immigrants and refugees, connect clients to life‑changing support, and help grow a community of champions for Windmill’s work across Canada.

Competencies and characteristics

• Creative, versatile writer skilled at crafting content that aligns with organizational goals and connects with diverse audiences.
• Detail‑oriented and organized, with exceptional time and project management skills to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines across channels and campaigns.
• Strong digital fluency, including a confident grasp of social media platforms, content performance metrics and the ability to spot and act on emerging trends and opportunities.
• Excellent storytelling skills, with the ability to write clear, persuasive and engaging content across formats—from social media to blogs, email marketing, website and client resources.
• Collaborative and adaptable, thrives in cross‑functional teams and enjoys working closely with internal stakeholders, external partners, and creative vendors.
• Proactive, self‑starter who is comfortable working independently and initiating new ideas.
• Experienced in managing creative production, including coordinating video shoots, photo shoots, and developing visual content aligned with brand standards.
• Brand‑savvy and quality‑driven, with a keen eye for consistency, tone and adherence to guidelines across all public‑facing materials.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, evolving nonprofit environment, with curiosity and enthusiasm to continuously learn, improve and innovate.

Qualifications and knowledge

• Minimum three to five years’ experience in a communications capacity; post‑secondary education in marketing or communications is considered an asset.
• Advanced English skills, written and verbal (French would be an asset).
• Related experience which demonstrates growth and the progression of skills and responsibilities.
• Intermediate skills in video editing (basic graphic design skills would be an asset).
• Experience across social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and
• Experience with digital platforms, such as Canva, Capcut, Adobe Creative Cloud, Hootsuite, FreshSales, Meltwater and Cision.

Compensation and benefits

• Starting salary range $65,000–$75,000 annually, based on skills and experience required for the role.
• Full‑time position, 40 hours / week.
• Hybrid work solution with a minimum two (2) days in the office.
• Position available in Toronto.
• Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company‑wide winter break.
• Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long‑term disability, and life insurance.
• Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well‑being.
• Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base.

How to apply

Please submit, in confidence, your résumé, cover letter and any relevant work samples 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 [e-mail] (reference : Communications Specialist ). We thank all candidates in advance. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview.

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 under‑represented groups on our board and in senior management positions.