Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Marketing & Communications, the Communications Specialist is to develop and execute day-to-day communications (internal and external) and public relations activities aligned with our marketing and corporate communications strategies. In this role, you will create and drive coordinated communications plans—developing content to support them. As a key member of the marketing and communications team, you will also be integral to the management and execution of media relations and social media, both proactive and reactive. Utilizing your strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, you will work closely with internal teams (marketing, distribution, executives, and industry leaders) and external resources (media, customers, industry partners) on a regular basis.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Develop and edit a variety of communications content for corporate communication, lead generation and sales enablement; includes website copy, marketing materials (online, print), internal communication (sales channel, employee), news releases, media pitches, and social content (social media posts, blogs)
• Develop integrated communication, and social/media plans based on evolving corporate or client needs—working with internal teams as needed to ensure effective execution
• Maintain and execute the media relations program; includes developing targeted media lists and managing the media relationships, both proactively and reactively
• Secure and execute news media opportunities, coordinating with partners, customers, executives and subject matter experts; sufficiently prepare executives for interviews, including briefing materials
• Develop and maintain a social media content strategy for corporate social accounts to build and strengthen brand engagement online among key stakeholder communities
• Assist in the development of strategies to activate and guide company subject matter experts on social channels to build relationships with relevant social media influencers and participate in targeted communities
• Assist with maintaining and evolving corporate messaging and creating a consistent voice internally and externally
• Be the content and project manager of our corporate Townhall Meetings (3/yr) to ensure consistency and further develop engagement
• Track and measure PR activities to maximize the value of PR engagement and content to the company
• Positively represent Cowan Insurance Group and its brand, mission and values to all external stakeholders and employees
• Source advertising opportunities and placing adverts in the press - local, regional, national and specialist publications

This job is right for you if:

• You understand that content and information are just as important as the format in which the information is delivered. As such, you are equally excited and knowledgeable about new media communication techniques and how they can be appropriately incorporated into marketing and communications plans that also rely on more traditional techniques;
• You are excited to apply your creativity to promote Cowan products and services to current or prospective clients, plan sponsors, consultants, partners, etc.;
• You comfortable navigating organizational structure and working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful completion projects;
• You are confident that your personal leadership and project management skills will help you to manage competing priorities;
• Your proven ability to work within tight deadlines and under pressure will help to you remain focused on the task at hand;
• You are a proactive and strong team player able to interact across organizational levels to support business goals;
• You understand that there may be other duties as assigned and are comfortable going with the flow to meet organizational needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing, Communications, or the Liberal Arts with equivalent work experience
• 3+ years of communications experience in an agency and/or corporate setting
• Experience in a B2B environment, insurance preferred
• Self-starter with strong business curiosity and an intrinsic desire to continually learn and grow
• Excellent verbal and written skills for engaging a range of audiences - internal, media, prospects, customers, industry partners, etc. - across a variety of formats - blogs, news releases, social media, etc.
• A strategic and proactive thinker with proven tactical execution capabilities
• Able to take highly technical information and develop it into engaging content that is both easily understood and relevant to the success of the business
• Demonstrated success in managing and executing PR tactics - news releases, media placements (national and trade levels), social media content and strategy
• Ability to efficiently develop and edit content for internal and external communications and sales tools – should work at an above average pace with a high level of accuracy and engagement
• Skilled in tracking, measuring and reporting PR metrics
• Understanding of the principles of spokesperson training (media, digital)

While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, we will contact only those selected for interviews.  If you are an applicant with disabilities and require accommodations, please let us know at the time of our contact so that we may arrange for their provision.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employee candidates will be selected strictly on the basis of an individual's technical qualifications, knowledge and experience, as they relate to the requirements of a particular position. Selections will be made without regard to: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, handicaps (physical or mental), age, marital status, family status, or the receipt of public assistance or record of offences.