Communications & Member Services Specialist

Position Location: 165 The Queensway, Suite 209 | Toronto, ON (hybrid work arrangement)

Position Reports to: President; Manager of Communications and Member Services

Hours of Work: Full-time, Monday-Friday. Occasional evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary.

We are looking for a dynamic, versatile Communications and Member Services Specialist to join the OPMA team and help us connect people and information in the fresh produce industry. This is a unique opportunity to use your diverse skill set from website content management and digital engagement through to virtual and in-person event planning.

Your new role

The Communications and Member Services Specialist plays a key role in fostering a culture of community across the OPMA membership through the development and implementation of timely information, engaging education sessions, and premier industry networking and professional development events.

The Communications and Member Services Specialist is responsible for coordinating and effectively executing the Ontario Produce Marketing Association's (OPMA) internal and external communications strategy. Specifically, the job incumbent must create and distribute content on social media and the consumer facing platform, Produce Made Simple; creatively execute day-to-day member communications; efficiently coordinate OPMA events, sponsorships and outreach initiatives; and actively contribute to supporting and increasing engagement with new and existing OPMA members. The Communications and Member Services Specialist is responsible for building and fostering external relationships, and providing administrative support to ensure successful communications and the achievement of unparalleled membership satisfaction and value.

The Communications and Member Services Manager must collaborate with the President and OPMA staff, and coordinate with partners and sponsors to ensure all communications and member services are aligned with, and contribute to the OPMA mission to facilitate trade and promote consumption of produce.

Key responsibilities

External Marketing & Communications

• Oversee the OPMA's consumer facing platform, Produce Made Simple (PMS), content and engagement. This includes working with social media brand ambassadors and maintaining a roster of influencers.
• Develop content themes for the year and monthly content calendars including key messages, sponsors, industry collaborations (eggs, dairy) and local commodities.
• Keep abreast of social media trends and create daily content and advertising for Instagram, X, Facebook, Pinterest (i.e., write captions, source images / videos, create graphics, schedules etc.).
• Post and engage on social media platforms daily including commenting, executing contests, community management, responding to messages, sharing stories, retweeting, etc.
• Update website content (using WordPress) to reflect sponsors, grower retailer promotion periods and what's in season locally, and maintain functionality with assistance from external contractor.
• Write, source images and distribute a PMS newsletter twice a month.
• Keep track of community growth and adjust strategy as needed.
• Ensure that all OPMA content aligns with the overall marketing strategy and target audience.
• Create end of promotion period reports with comprehensive analysis and results.
• Ensure a balance of sponsored and organic content on PMS channels.
• Research social media updates, keep up to date with new laws, regulations, platform updates and how they affect what we do across our social media platforms.
• Effectively manage project and campaign deadlines, content approvals and marketing dollars.

Member Communications & Engagement

• Support content creation and distribution of member communications: OPMA website, newsletters, member updates, LinkedIn and other social media.
• Support industry and consumer media corporate outreach including pitching and writing articles.
• Ensure balance in calendar of sponsors, grower retailer content, ambassador content, relevant days/themes/holidays/trends.
• Help oversee the Grower Retailer Program by connecting with growers and executing marketing initiatives (i.e., e-books, recipes, farm tours, etc.)
• Provide social media expertise to members as required.
• Manage the Young Professionals Network/Committee by scheduling meetings, events and assisting with agenda development.
• Create and manage social advertising initiatives.
• Generate quarterly, commodity and sponsor outcome reports using templates; assess successful themes, messages and posts to identify opportunities for improvement and increased engagement.
• Attend member engagement and stakeholder events as required. This may require occasionally working outside regular working hours and travel within Ontario.

Event Coordination & Relationship Management

• Support OPMA event coordination and related logistics before, during and after the events (i.e., researching and booking venues, managing contracts, etc.).
• Maintain sponsor relationships and manage all requests, concerns and/or questions.
• Research, develop and maintain relationships with potential partners that are a good fit and aligned with the OPMA's values (i.e., Love Food Hate Waste, Berry Growers of Ontario, Foodland, etc.).
• Help coordinate sponsorship promotion at events including maintaining library of current logos as well as design, print and production of materials for the events.
• Manage relationships with social media brand ambassadors and maintain a roster of influencers.
• Assist with OPMA education events including promotion to members and facilitation of the event.
• Support undergraduate and school outreach programs as required.
• Organize speaker sessions, workshops, and other OPMA promotional events.

Support & Collaboration

• Take an active role in OPMA team activities and actively contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Support, coordinate and strategically collaborate with team members in all areas and as requested.
• Track full PMS and YPN budgets and ensure activities fall within.
• Provide professional service and assistance to OPMA staff, members, and external stakeholders as requested.
• Gather all invoices, EFT forms, and receipts from expenses.
• Strive to ensure high levels of membership satisfaction and a strong reputation for the association.
• Collaborate with external, industry-related associations and organizations to foster supportive and mutually beneficial relationships.

What you'll need to succeed

• At least two (2) years of relevant communications and outreach/relationship management experience, required.
• Demonstrated understanding of traditional and digital marketing and communications strategies and tactics, required.
• Experience working in an association or membership driven organization, a strong asset.
• Bachelor's degree or diploma in communications, public relations, marketing or a related field, preferred.
• Strong understanding of social media relations and business messaging including current audience engagement tactics and individual platform restrictions and tools.
• Strong skills and experience in web content management (i.e., WordPress) and digital marketing. Website design skills an asset.
• Basic produce knowledge and some experience with and understanding of the food industry, an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe, photoshop, Google ads, etc.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• A demonstrated creative approach to audience attraction, growth and engagement.
• Intermediate copywriting and editing skills; basic graphic design capability.
• Team player comfortable working in a small team and ability to work well independently.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, optimize resources, plan and execute on an operational level using sound judgement.
• Willingness to continuously learn, adapt, improve and innovate
• Professional, punctual, and well presented.
• Commitment to promoting an inclusive, healthy, and safe workplace culture.
• Experience planning and promoting networking and professional development events.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, analytical, and multitasking skills.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive market compensation structure
• A fulfilling, challenging and flexible work experience
• The opportunity to be part of a vibrant industry and encourage healthy living

Working with the OPMA

The OPMA is an association of member companies that grow, pack, transport, import or sell produce in Ontario. Our focus is on connecting people and information, from field to plate. We help people in the industry create partnerships and we encourage healthy living by promoting ways to enjoy fruit and vegetables more often. We are a small team but through connections with our members, you will quickly become part of the wider produce community.

We offer flexible workplace arrangements. This role would work primarily from home with some time in the office. Attendance and participation at industry-related events and social gatherings is required on occasional evenings and weekends in support of OPMA initiatives

OPMA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feel valued and respected. The OPMA welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified applications. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Salary Range

Annual salary of $50,000 - $60,000 depending on experience.

To Apply

Submit your application including a cover letter and a resume via Isarta with the subject line ?OPMA Communications and Member Services Specialist Position? by 5 pm on January 17, 2025.