The Content Specialist is responsible for developing rich storytelling in the voice of HI Canada across multiple channels in order to build brand affinity and an engaged member community. As a content creator, this individual will create written, video and photographic content for HI Canada owned channels, including the website, social channels, newsletters, press releases and other paid media placements. They are a self-starter with a passion for travel and a belief in the power of content to drive good marketing.

What you’ll do

• Position HI Canada as the youth travel and hostel industry leader in Canada by reinforcing our brand pillars of accessibility, responsibility, sociability and community through content creation.
• Create highly engaging and authentic content in the voice of HI Canada through multiple formats that build affinity and engagement for the brand with members and guests.
• Will personify the brand visually and through written tone of voice.
• Based on insights, research and experience, defines content topics that are relevant and resonate with target audiences while meeting business and campaign objectives.
• Analyzes, evaluates and reacts to market trends with evolved content strategies.
• Manage thematic editorial calendar of content across multiple channels to maximize campaign success while ensuring the balance of promotional and non-promotional content.
• Work with external and internal writers and perform substantive and copy edits on new and existing content in accordance with content guidelines, internal style guides and CP style.
• Manage HI Canada’s digital magazine, including editorial, layout and content dissemination across channels (social, newsletter, website).
• Leads the execution of several email newsletters – from ideation to deployment, including the development of editorial content, working with peers to coordinate campaign content, design and deployment.
• Liaise with external content creators such as videographers, photographers, writers and others in the development of high-quality, on-brand content
• Review deliverables and ensure flawless quality of execution Ensure all content is accurate, on-brand, consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice.

What you bring

• 3 – 5 years experience in content marketing and SEM.
• Experience in project management, in guiding peers in the development of story ideas across a variety of formats and platforms.
• Collaborative mindset to engage writers, colleagues and other content creators.
• Experience and/or post-secondary education in marketing, digital marketing and/or journalism.
• Experience writing for a variety of digital marketing formats.
• Previous travel and/or hostelling experience.
• Practical knowledge of HTML, CSS and SEO.
• Experience with the systems we use regularly: Mailchimp, Dreamweaver, CraftCMS, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Ad Manager, WordPress, Photoshop/Lightroom, Microsoft O365.
• Basic graphic design skills including photo resizing, editing and optimization.
• Social media and search marketing knowledge.
• Demonstrable ability and desire to learn new systems quickly.
• Proven communication skills (oral and written).
• Remote/work from home opportunity.

What we offer

• A full-time, permanent role.
• Extended Health and dental benefits and paid sick leave
• An RRSP matching program
• Free stays at HI Canada hostels
• A friendly, casual and collaborative work environment with a team of travel-lovers

About HI

We love travelling. To us, travel isn’t just about going places, it’s also about meeting people, discovering cultures, eating new food and most of all, learning how people do things differently than we do back home.

We believe that through hostelling, we become more conscious about the world around us; and we can even make the world a better place. Our mission is to build a community of conscious travellers who share a greater understanding of people, places and cultures through our network of hostels and people.

COVID-19

The Association has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees and staff accommodation community from COVID-19. It is a requirement of this position that you are fully vaccinated and show documentation of your vaccination or apply to receive an approved medical or religious exemption prior to your first day of work.