Job Posting–Communications & Engagement Associate (Contract Position)
About Spark Strategies
Spark Strategies is a boutique digital agency specializing in data and analytics, digital marketing, targeted online advertising, and data-informed campaigning.
Spark brings together the best practices in community engagement, data and analytics, and digital to help clients achieve their outreach and marketing goals using the tools and channels voters and supporters expect in 2019.
Michael Roy is Spark’s principal – and brings more than a decade of agency and in-house experience to his leadership role. Michael has worked on regional, national, and international campaigns. He has championed – and in many cases pioneering – the use of databases including Nationbuilder and Blue State Digital tools for advocacy, engagement, and fundraising.
Prior to founding Spark, Michael was Principal and Director of Campaigns for Point Blank Creative, a Vancouver-based creative agency. Michael led or contributed to projects with the Translink Mayors’ Council, BC Federation of Labour, the Alberta Premier’s Office, United Steelworkers, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, and the Canadian Labour Congress.
Michael also served as the Digital Director for Canada’s NDP during the 2015 federal election, where he mobilized thousands of people to events, recruited thousands of volunteers, and set national fundraising records.
The Communications & Engagement Associate Job
At Spark we think that successful campaigns are built on great content, and data-informed insights. Winning campaigns don’t just drive a narrative – they tell a compelling emotional story that changes minds and motivates community members to take meaningful action.
You:
- Believe in making big change happen – and are excited about working with caucus and movements who believe in that too.
- You are creative, collaborative, and a self-starter with 2-3 years experience in content creation, social media management, or communications planning.
You’ll do things like:
- Working with clients to develop and execute communications plans around a campaign, initiative, or project
- Developing social media content and content strategies to successfully engage diverse audiences
- Create written content to support campaign briefs on digital and traditional platforms
- Help undertake qualitative and quantitative analysis to generate insights and strategy
- Execute requests from clients and Spark team members
- Be responsible for internal project success, such as setting team agendas, following communication norms, and efficiently allocating time
- Organize and facilitate client calls, meetings, trainings, and strategy sessions
- Build timelines and keep teams (both internal and external) accountable and on track
To be successful in this role you’ll need to have:
- Strong passion for building powerful and compelling communications strategies and content
- Skills that would equal 2 – 5 years of experience as a content development specialist, social media manager, or communications professional.
- Ability to use evidence and experience to drive decision making and program development
- Experience developing strategies and content for email marketing, social media, online ads, videos, and public engagement
- Superb English-language communication skills
- Strong writing skills and a proven ability to produce written material within a deadline (using tools like PowerPoint, GoogleDocs, and Microsoft Word)
- Strong judgment and critical reasoning skills, with the ability to navigate new situations
- Confidence and professionalism while engaging with contacts ranging from grassroots activists to client elected leadership
- A sense of humour, a willingness to embrace both your own quirks and others’, and a passion for progressive issues
Not all of these are required, but having exposure to at least a few of these skills or experiences will help you be even more successful in this role:
- Basic graphic design experience using some combination of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
- Experience placing online ads on the Google and Facebook ads platforms
- Staffing or volunteering in a local, provincial, or national political campaign, utilizing CRMs like Nationbuilder or Action Network
- Experience on advocacy campaigns
Compensation
We’re seeking contractors able to take on project contracts, similar to a freelance role. This job posting will help us identify interested contractors to engage on a project basis.
Spark is an equal opportunity employer
Rates are negotiated on a per-contract basis. However, Spark Strategies is a living wage employer. We expect the Communications and Engagement Associate position to pay between $40 and $65 per hour depending upon the candidate.
Successful candidates must be based in and able to work in Canada. This is a remote work position.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and two professional references by email to jobs@sparkstrategies.ca. Please use the subject line “Application: Communications Associate” when applying.