Senior Communications Specialist

The Independent Order of Foresters; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organization in Toronto is looking for a Senior Communications Specialist to manage internal communications and corporate events. This hybrid role requires strong communication skills and event planning experience. The candidate should have a degree in communication or a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include managing newsletters, internal announcements, and corporate events, along with metrics tracking. Flexibility for occasional travel within Canada and the US is required.

Benefits

Equal opportunity environment

Inclusion and Diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in communications and/or event management.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee newsletters and update the employee portal.
• Coordinate internal announcements and events like Town Halls.
• Track engagement metrics and provide reports with recommendations.

Skills

Exceptional writing skills

Project management

Event planning

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Detail-oriented

Education

Degree or diploma in communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Job description

Overview

Career Opportunity

Role Title

Senior Communications Specialist

Purpose of role

Reporting to the Senior Manager Communications this role supports internal communications and Corporate Communications-led events. Key responsibilities include managing employee newsletters updating the employee portal coordinating internal announcements and executing all-employee events such as Town Halls.

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and highly organized event planner who can manage multiple priorities collaborate across teams and deliver seamless communications experiences. This role plays a key part in strengthening employee engagement by fostering clear communication and meaningful opportunities for dialogue. This is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of two (2) days / week working onsite.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Communications

• Draft format and publish content for the weekly ForestersConnect newsletter; manage SharePoint uploads and email distribution
• Track engagement metrics and provide reporting with recommendations for improvement
• Maintain accuracy of employee distribution lists SharePoint permissions and readership data
• Develop review and deploy internal emails including enterprise-wide and executive communications
• Partner with HR (Total Rewards IDE Facilities) and other teams within Marketing to create and deliver communication campaigns
• Support business partners with ad hoc communications requests
• Document and improve existing processes to enhance efficiency

Media and external communications (as back-up to Sr. Manager)

• Coordinate with PR agency partners on media inquiries and press releases
• Disseminate news releases via Cision or other wire services
• Support development of media content related to corporate purpose and community activities
• Track departmental expenses and process invoices

Corporate events

• Plan and execute Corporate Communications-led events including Town Halls and all-employee meetings (live and virtual)
• Manage event calendar programming logistics and stakeholder engagement
• Oversee event materials catering vendor coordination and budget management
• Conduct pre- and post-event surveys track attendance and report outcomes
• Ensure flawless execution through scheduling dry runs and collaboration with IT and facilities
• Manage production and distribution of branded materials and premiums

Key Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in communications and / or event management
• Degree or diploma in communications public relations event management or related field
• Exceptional writing editing and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills with stakeholders at all levels
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive problem solver with strong project management and budgeting skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook)
• Experience with SharePoint and Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Ability to manage events across geographies and time zones
• Self-starter with excellent organizational and record-keeping skills

Nice to have :

• Experience setting up and recording executive video messages
• Ability to record executive video messages (camera lighting sound) and collaborate with Brand / Creative team for editing and production.
• Confidence and professionalism working with senior leaders in on-camera settings

Standard working hours consist of 37.5 hours weekly. This position will require occasional extended hours during weekdays and weekends and travel as required attending off-site meetings.

This role will require some travel within Canada and the US; applicants must hold a valid passport.

#LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employment and Inclusion at Foresters Financial we are committed to sustaining an equal opportunity environment for all job applicants. We embrace Inclusion Diversity and Equity (IDE) as a core strategic objective for building strong innovative teams in which all our employees can show up wholly and authentically as themselves.

Foresters Financial strives to provide an accessible candidate experience for prospective employees with different abilities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodations during the recruitment process please email in advance of your appointment.

Thank you for choosing Foresters. Only those candidates who will be selected for further consideration will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition Team.

Required Experience :

Senior IC