Senior Internal Communications and Engagement Specialist

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Mitacs is a national not-for-profit that helps industry and non-profit partners solve strategic challenges by leveraging Canada’s world-class post-secondary talent and a global network of industry, academic, and government partnerships. Through these collaborations, Mitacs helps business and community partners succeed, improves students’ on-the-job skills development, and strengthens Canada’s world-class innovation ecosystem. At Mitacs, we strive to develop the next generation of innovators with vital research and business skills. In partnership with domestic and international companies, governments, and academia, we support a new economy using Canada’s most valuable resource – its people. 

To get a better understanding of Mitacs and read the complete job description, please visit our website: https://www.mitacs.ca/careers/

The Senior Internal Communications and Engagement Specialist leads internal communications for Mitacs and helps connect a workforce of over 300 staff members, who work in a remote-first environment across the country. An integral member of the Communications team, the ideal candidate is skilled at clearly communicating corporate objectives, delivering captivating content, promoting awareness and alignment, supporting change, advising the Mitacs Executive Committee (MEC) and collaborating with other departments, Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Culture in particular, to drive culture and employee engagement. 

The position works closely with MEC and preparing written communications from CEO and MEC is a critical aspect of this role.  The ideal candidate will have experience planning and executing Townhall and All-Staff meetings in addition to crafting clear, engaging messages to all staff on a variety of subjects. The position also provides oversight for Mitacs’s intranet, the Mitacs Hub. 

Acting as a Communications advisor to various teams working on projects that impact multiple stakeholders, the Senior Internal Communications and Engagement Specialist ensures that consistent and cohesive information is distributed at the right time and through the right channels. 

Position Responsibilities:  

• Under the supervision of the Manager, Communications, lead internal communications strategy with particular focus on transformative change and strategic alignment and an emphasis on EDI and Culture. 

• Develop and implement communication strategies focused on improving strategic alignment and the culture of engagement. 

• Oversee planning and execution of virtual Town Hall and All-Staff meetings, supporting on meeting agendas and briefings, presentations, and remarks as required. 

• Develop communications materials from ideation to final product, including stories, videos, newsletter content, presentations, and other collateral. 

• Advise and support senior leaders to communicate corporate objectives and drive employee engagement. Support all staff communications on behalf of the MEC. 

• Work side-by-side and develop strong relationships with all teams across the organization to create strategies that are based on specific needs and challenges while ensuring alignment with Mitacs’s corporate strategy. 

• Execute and develop communications plans and campaigns that support change and business transformation. 

• Assess and address barriers to optimizing internal communications. 

• Collaborate regularly with EDI and Culture, ensuring communications support Mitacs’s Strategic Plan, Inclusive Innovation Action Plan (IIAP), employee engagement, and culture transformation goals. 

• Collaborate regularly with Human Resources, and use employee feedback, metrics, and data to drive communications improvements. 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of team processes, operations, and best practices. 

Skills, Abilities, and Experience: 

• A degree or diploma in communications, journalism, or related field with at least five years of experience in corporate, internal, or employee communications. 

• Talented storyteller and experienced strategic communicator who is capable of crafting compelling messages and engaging staff to become Mitacs ambassadors. 

• Proven track record applying data and analyses to develop communications strategies and coordinate impactful messages. 

• Extensive experience in the planning, execution, and evaluation of internal communications. 

• Ability to balance being a strong team player with working independently in a fast-paced and flexible environment. 

• Experience with employee engagement and change management communications. 

• High degree of emotional intelligence, including the ability to adapt to different working and communication styles. 

• Ability to exercise tact and discretion when working with sensitive communications. 

• Excellent writing, editing, speaking, and presentation skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver under tight deadlines. 

• Written and verbal fluency in French is a strong asset. 

• Experience with post-secondary institutions and/or government funding agencies is an asset. 

• Knowledge of written and spoken English is required in this role as you will interact with colleagues, clients and stakeholders located across Canada. 

Hiring Range: $75,650 - $84,550

Hiring and Salary Range Transparency 

Typically, employees are hired, transferred, or promoted within the salary range, specifically between the minimum and midpoint in the hiring range.

The salary range refers to the range of base salaries for a given position, encompassing the minimum and maximum amounts. The midpoint of the range is positioned approximately halfway between the minimum and maximum, indicating a fully qualified employee with comprehensive job knowledge and experience for the role.

Only in rare and exceptional circumstances, where a candidate has the experience, skills, and expertise that far exceed those required for the position, would we consider paying above the hiring range for this role.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and decolonization are core values at Mitacs: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Mitacs. We believe a diverse workforce comprised of individuals with different ideas, strengths, interests, and backgrounds (e.g., gender identities and expressions, Indigeneity, race, abilities, sexual orientation, and other identities) are crucial to our success. We welcome everyone to apply and encourage you to connect with us if you require accommodations during the recruitment process.