Location: 60 Scarsdale Rd, Unit 111, Toronto, ON
Position Level: Contract
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience
Reports to: Manager of Communications & Community Outreach
Start Date: ASAP
Application Closing Date: April 1, 2022

Responsibilities

The role encompasses a broad range of tasks and responsibilities for the communications team, including but not limited to the following:

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to plan, research, write, edit, and publish engaging communications pieces including news releases, newsletters, backgrounders, fact sheets, key messages, speaking points, promotional material, annual reports and sponsorship fulfilment reports, for various audiences.
• Execute project-specific communication plans and materials that support key organizational strategic priorities.
• Review, edit and proofread materials, including the OVA website, to meet the organization’s high standard of excellence and compliance with brand standards.
• Understand and demonstrate the use of digital tools and diversity of information such as social media links, embedded content and video work.
• Support the development and implementation of the corporate communication plan for the organization.
• Arrange and conduct interviews as part of research and for news stories, and Hall of Fame video compilations.
• Hall of Fame research, script writing and possible voiceover work.
• Participate in event planning to support stakeholder engagements, staff and media events and throughout the year.
• Document and track media inquiries and resulting coverage on behalf of the OVA.
• Lead Annual Report creation with support from internal staff.
• Support internal writing (grant writing, editing, writing business documents, program reviews etc.)
• Travel throughout the community to capture events and information outside of structured work hours including evenings and weekends.  Includes all major OVA indoor and outdoor events.
• Create a culture of collaborating with OVA Clubs and promoting their success stories.
• Ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 
• Support the Director of Operations and Executive Director on sponsorship, contract writing, activation and fulfilment reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Strategic Duties

Longer term responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with the Communications team in strategy development, creation, planning and execution of innovative partnership opportunities with existing and/or new clients across volleyball properties.
• Managing relations and expectations, both internally and externally, and ensuring program elements are executed with excellence.
• Liaising with internal stakeholders (including communications, research, programming) as well as with partners to deliver integrated multi-platform programs to partners. Working with the internal team to create sales support materials related to activations and specific sales tools (strategic pitches, mock-ups, highlight reels, award submissions etc.).
• Performing in-depth post activation research to determine success of a program, while setting benchmarks for future executions of same (or similar) scope.
• Ensuring all program deliverables are met, on time and on budget.
• Seeking and proposing relevant new partnership opportunities.
• Ensure advertising standards are adhered to.
• Travel is expected for on-set execution of partner related activations.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience in communications and/or journalism. Any marketing experience will be a plus.
• Ability to communicate articulately and enthusiastically.
• Excellent communication skills (listening, written, verbal) to provide relevant and timely information to staff and the public in a tactful and professional manner.
• Ability to apply an understanding of our brand and stakeholder segments to execute quality communications.
• Understanding and knowledge of brand strategy, consumer engagement, and partnership building.
• Demonstrated project management, organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Self-starter that is keen to learn and develop their skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain good relationships with co-workers, members, partners and other members of the volleyball community.
• Innovative problem-solving skills and ability to create new ideas to operate in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Ability to build the customer service and core values of the organization into all programs and services throughout the Association, spanning a variety of departments.
• Experience working with or building/executing programs within the digital and social media landscape.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to take initiative and demonstrates sound judgment in decision making.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint and the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva.com, etc. or the ability to learn.
• Understanding of AODA requirements and ability to create accessible documents.
• Understanding of the Canadian sport system and not-for-profit sectors, an asset.
• Passion and interest in volleyball and/or sport are an asset.

Please forward your cover letter, resume and contact of two references via email, with COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR in the subject heading to: kmaharaj@ontariovolleyball.org.