Corporate Communications Specialist

Waterloo North Hydro Inc.

Requires a

Corporate Communications Specialist

Waterloo North Hydro Inc. (WNH) is a progressive electric distribution utility servicing the City of Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich. Our impressive team of 128 dedicated employees strive to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to over 56,000 customers across a large urban and rural service area spanning 672 square kilometers. At WNH, we aspire to become a world-class corporation using a team-based model to advance the interests of our customers, our employees, and our organization.

WNH is currently seeking a Corporate Communications Specialist to join our Corporate Communications and Energy Efficiency team. Reporting to the Manager, Energy Efficiency and Corporate Communications, you will be responsible for assisting with the planning, coordination, development, delivery, and evaluation of marketing and communication strategies and plans that align with Waterloo North Hydro’s corporate communications and energy efficiency strategies. You will assist with the monitoring and management of various social media platforms and maintaining and updating the corporate website. You will research and develop marketing strategies to enhance the promotion and uptake of WNH’s services including energy efficiency programs.

The ideal candidate will be a graduate of a post-secondary program in marketing, communications, or public relations with three to four years of relevant work experience. Your advanced communication skills will assist with the development and delivery of stakeholder support and your experience in the development and delivery of marketing plans in various media including, print, air, digital and social media will be an asset. You possess intermediate skills in the use of Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite of Products, website content management systems, and various social media platforms. You demonstrate a strong understanding of measuring the effectiveness of marketing initiatives, market engagement, and program outreach. Your experience with an Ontario based Utility; the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is considered an asset. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Create, implement and evaluate communications strategies and plans that align with the organization’s strategic plan
• Assist in the production of confidential and day-to-day corporate communications materials
• Monitor, develop new content for approval and maintain and handle reporting for the corporate website and related social media sites
• Prepare and coordinate promotional material in support of customer engagement, program uptake and customer communications in support of the Energy Efficiency, Customer Service, Operations, Engineering and Health and Safety departments
• Develops, coordinates the development and production of advertising, marketing materials (print, web, digital, radio, television, etc.) and seeks price quotations as required.
• Support Energy Efficiency efforts as required including fielding and responding to customer inquiries, developing promotional plans and strategies, promoting programs through various communications channels including, print, radio, web, digital and social media
• Support Customer Service, Health and Safety, Engineering, Operations and the overall Corporation by promoting services and initiatives through various communications channels including, print, radio, web, digital and social media  
• Regularly captures and relays insights and customer feedback obtained during program and initiative outreach and customer interaction
• Tracks program and initiative uptake to specific marketing and communication activities and reports on success of each initiative
• Maintain an archive of photographs and other images for use on websites and in other communications materials
• Maintain and enforce the use of corporate brand standards
• Assist with media monitoring, developing key messages, writing press releases, developing radio ads, and organizing media events
• Provide communications support for community outreach programs in areas such as the environment, sustainability and public safety
• Event management - Plan and coordinate energy efficiency program engagement, public information sessions, focus groups, customer surveys, and speaking engagements
• Assist with the maintenance of the Crisis Communication Strategy and Plan by updating contacts and other information as required
• Serve as social media backup to the Manager in the event of a crisis

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduate with a post-secondary degree or diploma in a discipline relevant to marketing, communications, or public relations
• Minimum three to four years of progressive and pertinent work experience
• General knowledge of the electricity industry, local distribution companies, and Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Local Distribution Company (LDC) Conservation and Demand Management Programs
• General knowledge of residential and commercial energy management practices
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and communicate internal and external messaging including memo’s, letters, articles, media releases, award applications, reports, etc. in a professional and engaging manner designed to generate support in the target audience
• Demonstrated ability of assisting with the development, execution, and evaluation of marketing and communication initiatives, community, and corporate events.
• Proven exceptional written and verbal communications skills across various channels / media (web, print, email, social networking) and advanced proofreading skills
• Intermediate knowledge and experience with social media platforms
• Intermediate skills in the use of computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics design, website content management, email marketing and social media applications
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze multiple sources of information to prepare a variety of reports
• Demonstrated ability to assist with the development and strengthening of relationships with Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), Government bodies (IESO/OEB), Chamber of Commerce and other distribution companies (electricity, gas, and water)
• Intermediate project management and problem solving skills with the ability to coordinate, prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Holds a valid Class “G” driver’s license with a good driving record

This position is permanent, full-time and offers a competitive salary. In addition, we offer an excellent working environment, benefits package, pension plan, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualified applicants are invited to apply in confidence, by submitting a completed resume, stating education, work experience, references and salary expectations as well as samples of relevant work, by Friday March 3, 2017 to resume@wnhydro.com. Please indicate “Corporate Communications Specialist” in the subject line.

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

February 17, 2017