Position Description
Position: Department Manager
Department: Communications
Division: Corporate Services
Reporting To: Division Manager, Corporate Services
Date Developed: August 2008
Position Summary
Reporting to the Corporate Secretary, with the input and support of the management team, this position plans and manages the image of the Co-op System in the North, including Arctic Co-operatives Limited, with consistent communication initiatives, structures, operations, events, and sponsored activities. As a member of the Corporate Services team, this position will be responsible for developing and executing a member/public relation’s strategy, its associated budget, and the external/internal communications vehicles necessary to make this objective a reality.
Duties & Responsibilities
· Identify strategies and opportunities to promote Arctic Co-operatives System to members, the government and the co-ops in collaboration with various division and department of Arctic Co-operatives.
· Develop and maintain a member and public relations budget to ensure the successful implementation of the Co-op System’s initiatives and objectives;
· Edit and publish Arctic Co-operatives newsletter and board highlight and oversee subscriber lists and readership statistics; work with Manager, Corporate Services to develop strategy to market publication.
· Write and distribute other newsletters that may be published; oversee subscriber lists and readership statistics; work with Manager, Member Management Services to develop strategy to market publication.
· Development, produce and maintain internal and external advertisement by utilizing co-op cable network and various newspapers ad, etc.
· Produce PowerPoint presentations and speeches, from time to time, for senior staff and board.
· Chair Co-op Week Advisory Committee and participate in annual Co-op Week planning and activities.
· Assist the Co-op System at receptions, openings, events and other public functions that will favourably position the Co-op System of the North;
§ Design, write, publish, and distribute the Arctic Co-operatives annual report in collaboration with internal staff.
§ Design and prepare annual report power point presentation in collaboration with annual report and internal staff.
§ Design and produce Annual Co-op Calendar.
§ Assist and produce materials in the coordination of major meetings of Arctic Co-operatives Annual Meeting and Managers Conference by developing and designing packages to satisfy the information needs to stakeholders.
§ Monitor communications technologies and innovations, on an ongoing basis, that may enhance communications vehicles and strategies and that will ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
§ Oversee Association website content, currency and quality in collaboration with other units.
§ Coordinate and maintain the Corporate Giving programs.
§ Strengthen and maintain effective media contacts and relations, and identify opportunities to promote awareness of Arctic Co-operatives and Co-operatives amongst the public which includes press releases and arranging media conferences;
§ Develop and maintain election kits, and place appointment notices;
§ Develop and maintain historical archives for the Co-op System of the North including Arctic Co-operatives Limited and Member Co-ops.
§ Develop and maintain contacts with the Aboriginal community of organizations nationally;
§ Provide assistance and support to the Corporate Secretary when required;
§ Perform other duties and assignments when required.
Qualifications Required
· University degree in journalism or equivalent experience (3-5 years).
· Excellent oral and written communication skills.
· Demonstrated competence in planning and evaluation.
· Knowledge of proven and emerging communication techniques and technologies in a variety of media (print; web; e-mail).
· Knowledge of co-operatives or credit unions.
· Ability to speak, read and write in an Aboriginal language would be a definite asset;
· Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment;
· Ability to communicate (orally) with varied groups such as co-operatives, media, the general public, and elected officials.
· Ability to write for varied media (e.g. print vs. web pages).
· Demonstrated competence in office applications (WORD, Quark and PowerPoint), including e-mail and Internet proficiency.
· Be a team player
· Some travel may be required of this position.