Events and Marketing Specialist

Events and Marketing Specialist (12-Month Maternity Contract)

About HIEC

HIEC is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on partnership, mentorship and workforce development in Ontario. With over 30 years of experience as an active community-focused organization, HIEC aims to enhance career education and inspire youth to make informed career decisions.

Why Us?

At HIEC, our goal is to make a positive impact in the career journeys of others, and this also applies to our own internal team We offer a team environment that encourages innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, so everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. Simply put as possible, we care about our employees (have a look for yourself)

This role also offers:

- Competitive salary (we included the details)
- Comprehensive company provided benefits after 3 months
- Mental Health Supports (Calm App Subscription, Better Help Sessions)
- 2 Weeks Vacation + a Holiday ShutDown
- Hybrid Work Environment
- PD Opportunities

Position Description

We are looking for someone who is passionate about our sector and what we do within our community and beyond.

The Opportunity/Primary Responsibilities:

- Strategic Event Planning and Coordination
- Lead the planning, organization, and execution of various events, including trade shows, conferences, community outreach programs, educational workshops, and fundraisers.
- Develop and present strategic event concepts, themes, and goals, aligning with organizational objectives and collaborating closely with senior leadership.
- Oversee event logistics management, including venue selection, catering, audiovisual needs, transportation, accommodation, and booth materials, ensuring seamless execution tailored to each event's requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, sponsors, and partners, negotiating agreements to secure advantageous terms and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Develop, manage, and monitor event budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial guidelines while maximizing the return on investment.
- Create and maintain comprehensive event timelines and task lists, delegating responsibilities to team members and volunteers as necessary to ensure all aspects of events are on track.
- Lead on-site event management, including setup, execution, and breakdown, ensuring professionalism and quality at every stage.
- Analyze and evaluate event outcomes, preparing detailed post-event reports with insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Foster a culture of excellence within the Events team, identifying potential risks and challenges in project execution and implementing proactive strategies to mitigate them.
- Stay at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in event management, introducing innovative ideas and solutions to enhance the organization's events.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for public inquiries about events, providing timely and professional responses.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support both in-person events and webinars, ensuring cohesive planning and execution.
- Collaborate on the organizational event calendar with the Events team, HR, and other departments to ensure alignment and avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Take a leadership role in coordinating the annual Women As Career Coaches event, working with the Events/Marketing team to create impactful programming that inspires and engages participants.
- Advanced Marketing and Communications Strategy
- Develop and implement comprehensive, multi-channel marketing strategies to promote events, increase public awareness, and enhance the organization's visibility and impact.
- Partner with the Communications Manager to refine and maintain a strong and consistent brand voice across all marketing platforms.
- Analyze the performance of marketing campaigns, utilizing data-driven insights to optimize strategies and improve audience engagement and outreach.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with media contacts, community partners, and stakeholders to enhance the organization's public profile and visibility.
- Leadership and Other Responsibilities
- Identify and pursue strategic partnership opportunities with charities, not-for-profits, community groups, and corporate partners to expand the organization's reach and impact.
- Oversee the procurement of branded materials and marketing collateral, working within budget constraints and maintaining an accurate inventory.
- Lead efforts to create sponsorship packages and engage potential sponsors, playing a pivotal role in fundraising and securing donations.
- Post-secondary education in communications, event management, marketing, or a related field is mandatory.
- At least five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in event planning and marketing, preferably within a non-profit organization.
- Experience and comfortability working wit