COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY & MARKETING

Position: Marketing and Education Manager
Organization: The Organic Council of Ontario
Location: Anywhere in Ontario, remote work. Preference for Guelph or the GTA, Ontario
Eligibility: 30 or younger

Hours: 30-40 hours a week
Contract: 6-12 month contract with possible extension pending funding
Salary Range: $40,000 to $50,000 pro-rated
Benefits: OCO compensates staff for personal device use, internet and other small office expenses pending approval. After 6 months,staff may be offered a health savings plan.

Are you a climate solutions enthusiast with an eye for design?

Do you love food and farming or want to get to know Ontario’s organic farmers better?

Do you come up with puns and catch phrases in your spare time?

Are you a people-person with digital skills? 

If so, then this job is for you

About the Job:

OCO recently received a grant to support a farmer-facing information campaign that promotes climate-friendly farming practices that are evidence-based. The campaign will employ both traditional and digital media channels, with an emphasis on video, podcasts, webinars, and social media outreach. Critical to this campaign will be the development of Key Performance Indicators to evaluate success.

In addition to this campaign, the Marketing and Education Manager will support the roll-out of online farmer training workshops and webinars in partnership with a national program to improve organic production as well as support the on-going development of new communications strategies and education resources.

Responsibilities

Marketing Research and Evaluation

• Conduct market research to determine best practices in messaging, media, and channels, as well as identify existing resources and competing messages;
• Engage in and monitor existing online forums and channels relevant to OCO’s goals;
• Determine target audiences and outcomes;
• Develop KPIs and pre- and post-campaign evaluation strategies;
• Conduct surveys, interviews and/or focus groups when appropriate;

Partnership Development and Management:

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key promotional partners such as Farmers for Climate Solutions, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and the Prairie Organic Development Fund;
• Negotiate MOUs and contracts with partners and/or contractors where necessary;

Campaign and Communications Strategy:

• Develop and project manage climate communications campaigns and other project-specific campaigns (pending funding);
• Evaluate OCO’s existing communications infrastructure and impact and offer recommendations for improvements, efficiencies, and expansions
• Develop new communications strategies for improving engagement with OCO’s target audiences, including improving traction with eaters.

Develop Content

• Develop new media and content with support (e.g. landing page, Facebook group or page, videos etc.);
• Oversee OCO’s general communications, including blog writing, e-newsletters, social media, press releases, and other media;
• Support the improvement of, promotion and engagement in the Ontario Organic Directory, Organic Data Portal and Organic Knowledge Base;
• Track communications metrics to measure progress.

Media Relations:

• Develop press releases and act as a media liaison for OCO’s Executive Director and Board of Directors;
• Support the development of new media contacts and the further development of OCO’s media list and close connections.

Events Planning

• Support the planning, promotion, registration and execution of OCO’s events including webinars, tours, as well as in-person events;
• Support the solicitation of sponsorship and donations.

Skills and Knowledge

The Ideal Candidate has:

• Impeccable writing and editing skills;
• High motivation, can work independently and in a team;
• Strong organizational and project management skills;
• Experience with digital marketing and campaign management, including development of communications evaluation strategies;
• An eye for design and branding;
• Experience with graphic design tools (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Canva etc.);
• Experience with various online communications and digital tools (e.g. WordPress, Statamic, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Canva, Google Suite)
• Experience managing multiple social media channels simultaneously;
• Experience with video and/or podcast creation an asset;
• Experience managing in-person and/or on-line events and registration;
• Some media relationship management experience;
• Can work in a fast-paced environment and can juggle multiple competing priorities;
• Curiosity, is an engaged systems thinker;
• Initiative to constantly improve their work and the work of the organization;
• Passion and knowledge about organic food and agriculture;
• Some understanding of the Ontario agri-food sector and politics;
• French language skills are an asset.

About the Organic Council of Ontario:

The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) is the Voice for Organics in Ontario. We are the only full value chain association operating at the provincial level. OCO represents over 1,300 certified organic operators, as well as the businesses, organizations, and individuals that bring food from farm to plate. OCO works to catalyze sector growth, support research, improve training, increase data collection, encourage market development, protect the integrity of organic claims, and inform the public of the benefits and requirements of organic agriculture.

OCO is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. OCO actively encourages applications from those who experience barriers to equity such as BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ people. We invite you to inform us should you have any accessibility or accommodation needs.

To Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter in one PDF to hiring@organiccouncil.ca by June 17th at 5pm. Interviews will take place the week of June 24th to 28th.  The candidate will be hired by June 30th. As part of the selection process, we will be asking candidates to complete a short assignment prior to their interview. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.