Senior Communications Strategist

Windmill Microlending; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering newcomers in Canada as a Senior Communications Strategist. In this impactful role, you will elevate the public profile of the organization through compelling storytelling and strategic media engagement. You will thrive in a dynamic environment, crafting high-quality content that inspires support and drives social change. Collaborating with diverse teams, you will leverage your exceptional communication skills and proficiency in AI tools to enhance content creation. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference while working with a passionate team committed to social impact.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of experience in communications and PR.
• Proficient in using AI tools to enhance writing.
• Experience in an agency setting, including media training.

Responsibilities

• Write high-quality content and manage a strategic content calendar.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and manage media coverage.
• Lead the creation of the annual impact report.

Skills

Public Relations

Content Creation

Storytelling

Communication Skills

AI Tools Proficiency

Bilingualism (English/French)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or public relations

Tools

Meltwater

Cision Newswire

Canva

Job description

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 13,000 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.

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:

The Senior Communications Strategist is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of newcomers to Canada. R eporting to the National Director, Client Success and Marketing, this role leads the charge in elevating Windmill’s public profile and advancing our mission through compelling storytelling, strategic media engagement, and thought leadership.

This position thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and works cross-functionally with development, marketing and the CEO. The ideal candidate is a confident and articulate communicator, passionate about public relations and can translate client stories into content that inspires support for Windmill.

Key responsibilities:

Communication: (65%)

· Write high-quality content, including op-eds, thought leadership articles, donor announcements, client impact stories, and executive communications

· Use AI tools to enhance and streamline content creation and editing, and to write in distinct personas, including the CEO and the organization’s brand voice

· Ensure consistency in tone, messaging, and brand across all written and visual content

· Build and design presentations for bi-annual investor calls in collaboration with internal teams

· Lead the creation and production of the annual impact report

· Draft internal communications on behalf of the CEO, including letters to staff and major internal announcements, often involving sensitive or high-impact messaging

· Identify and pursue thought leadership opportunities such as speaking engagements, podcasts, and guest publications

· Manage a strategic content calendar aligned with organizational priorities

· Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts

· Submit award applications to raise the organization’s profile and celebrate impact

Public relations: (35%)

· Proactively write and pitch op-eds, news releases and stories to secure media coverage in national, local, and sector-specific outlets

· Cultivate and manage relationships with key journalists, influencers, and sector thought leaders

· Build the CEO’s public presence through ghostwritten content, strategic messaging, and profile-raising opportunities

· Prepare briefing materials and media training for the CEO and client spokespeople ahead of interviews and events

· Monitor media coverage, track emerging trends, and respond with timely, strategic messaging

· Support crisis communications and reputation management as needed

The ideal candidate is an articulate communicator with exceptional writing skills and the confidence to leverage AI for efficiency. You're comfortable supporting senior leaders, including ghostwriting for the CEO, and enjoy interviewing executive donors and clients to craft compelling narratives. You take ownership of projects from concept to execution, whether you're building an investor presentation, developing thought leadership content for LinkedIn, or launching a PR campaign. You’re precise, detail-oriented and proactive!

In addition, you’re driven by social impact and have a good understanding of Canada’s immigration and political landscape. Media-savvy and opportunity-oriented, you keep a pulse on current conversations and know how to position Windmill to be part of them. You excel at turning data and insights into powerful stories that build trust, raise visibility, and inspire action to donate to Windmill.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and knowledge:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field
• 6-10 years of experience in communications and PR
• Experience in an agency setting, including media training
• Proficient in using AI tools to enhance writing and streamline content creation
• Familiar with digital platforms such as Meltwater, Cision Newswire, Canva and online research tools
• Bilingualism in French (written and spoken) is an asset

Competencies and characteristics:
• Write clearly and confidently in multiple voices, with the ability to follow brand guidelines and capture the CEO’s tone
• Manage multiple projects with strong organization, resourcefulness, and efficiency under tight deadlines
• Bring sharp attention to detail to everything you do
• Build strong relationships and communicate comfortably with stakeholders at all levels
• Think creatively, stay curious, and bring fresh ideas that challenge the status quo