Communications and Social Media Specialist

About Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending is a registered Canadian charity that empowers skilled immigrants and refugees by offering affordable loans, coaching and mentorship to restart their careers in Canada. Since 2005, we have provided over 15,000 loans, helping newcomers triple their incomes.

We are proud to be Great Place to Work certified, boasting an 85%+ average employee engagement score driven by a culture of inclusivity, exceptional teamwork and strong leadership.

The role

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, the Communications and Social Media Specialist will lead content creation across our social media channels and website to expand our reach among newcomers and strengthen staff engagement. This is a busy, fast-paced role that thrives on frequent content development and fresh ideation. Centered heavily on writing and social media, you will interview clients and team members to craft human-centered stories that highlight Windmill’s impact and build our reputation. Alongside managing daily community engagement and creating dynamic social media content like reels and short videos, you will edit content from other internal teams, lead the production of our quarterly newsletter and coordinate photo and video shoots with a sharp eye for visual storytelling.

Key responsibilities

Social media management (45%)

• Drive social media content: develop and execute plans across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube to build awareness and support client and donor growth.
• Create and schedule content: brainstorm, write, design and schedule engaging social posts, including trend-forward reels and graphics using Canva and Capcut.
• Own community management: actively monitor and proactively engage with our online community via comments, messages and inquiries.
• Track performance: analyze social media performance metrics to continuously optimize content and identify and recommend emerging social media trends and influencers.

Communications – external and internal (45%)

• Manage the content calendar: maintain the organization-wide content calendar to ensure timely, relevant content tied to key dates and publications, while providing clear visibility.
• Write and edit content: produce and edit copy for our blog, website, annual impact report and quarterly newsletter. Edit content from internal teams.
• Project manage communications requests: independently lead project requests from concept to completion, smoothly managing multiple collaborators, stakeholders and reviewers.
• Uphold brand voice and writing standards: ensure all organization-wide content adheres to Windmill’s CP style writing guidelines, maintaining and updating standards as needed.
• Coordinate French translations and vendors: manage French translation and collaborate with photographers and videographers to capture impactful content.
• Optimize workflows: leverage digital workflows and AI tools to increase efficiency and scale content production.
• Drive employee ambassadorship: support the MarCom national director to inspire staff to champion Windmill in their local community.
• Support organization-wide initiatives and special projects: as assigned by the marketing manager or MarCom national director

Client experience (10%)

• Capture client stories: conduct interviews and develop powerful written and video testimonials that prospective clients can relate to.
• Develop practical resources: write and produce client-facing guides and materials, such as the Trending Jobs Report and Education Pathways.
• Optimize web messaging: review and continuously improve website content to ensure clear, client-focused messaging and strong calls to action.
• Coordinate client focus groups: assist with segmenting and organizing focus groups to gain deeper insights into our diverse clients.

Ideal candidate

An organized self-starter with deep digital fluency, you confidently handle the entire content lifecycle from creative concept and production to tracking and reporting performance insights. You effortlessly prioritize your own workload, scheduling and adjusting responsively to deliver high-quality work under competing deadlines. With a proactive, detail-oriented mindset, you love interviewing people, staying on top of emerging platform trends, and collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to elevate our brand.

Competencies and characteristics

• Versatile storyteller and writer
• Digitally fluent and innovative content creator
• Organized, efficient self-starter
• Highly detailed-oriented
• Exceptional time and project management
• Energized by a dynamic, high-output role

Qualifications and knowledge

• Minimum four to seven years’ experience in a communications capacity; post-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing is required
• Advanced English skills, written and verbal (French would be an asset)
• Related experience which demonstrates growth and the progression of skills and responsibilities
• Intermediate skills in video editing in CapCut, Adobe Premiere or similar.
• Basic graphic design skills in Canva, Adobe Express or Adobe Creative Cloud
• Demonstrated experience across social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
• Experience with digital platforms, such as Canva, Capcut, Adobe Creative Cloud, Hootsuite, FreshSales, Meltwater and Cision
• Experience in agency, non-profit or financial services is preferred
• Experience in mid to large sized organizations is preferred
• Experience in public relations and media relations would be an asset

Compensation and benefits

• Starting salary range $65,000-$75,000 annually, based on skills and experience required for the role
• One-year contract, with the possibility of extension
• Full-time position, 40 hours/week
• Hybrid work solution with a minimum two (2) days in the office
• Position available in Calgary
• Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company-wide winter break
• Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long-term disability, and life insurance
• Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well-being
• Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base

How to apply

Please submit, in confidence, your résumé, cover letter and any relevant work samples that sets out your interest in the role and highlights your relevant experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter.

We thank all candidates in advance. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview.

Windmill Microlending is an equal-opportunity employer. Adhering to Canada’s Human Rights Act, Windmill grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, colour, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, citizenship, ancestry, ethnic origin, age, or place of origin. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

As an active participant in the Federal Government’s 50-30 Challenge, we are committed to building a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant economic future for Canadians by attaining gender parity and significant representation of underrepresented groups on our board and in senior management positions.