Communications Specialist Job Description

Posted November 26, 2024

If you love to read and write about a range of topics, have a hard time settling on a specific field of interest, and switch from technical to artistic at the flick of a switch, this might be the position for you.

We write blog posts, trade magazine articles, website copy, social media, and other kinds of content for our clients. Industries include automotive, translation services, business coaching, real estate, and more. Our roster changes sometimes by the week.

Work is usually planned out a week in advance, but some last-minute work does come in. Knowing how to manage and adjust your work schedule is important.

You will also help market the owner’s novels by assisting with social media, blogging, some website copy, and occasionally with the book metadata. Comfort with writing about disability, sexuality, gender roles, culture, and other diversity topics is a must.

The work is virtual, but we will meet in person whenever possible. This position is therefore open to applicants in Waterloo Region and Toronto. You will work 20 hours/week during business hours. The salary is $20-$25 per hour. This position begins January 2025. You must be either a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

Job Purpose

The communications specialist will assist with developing marketing content for Lori Straus Communications and Head in the Ground Publishing, both micro companies run by Lori Straus.

Responsibilities

These will be your main responsibilities:
  • Researching and writing blog posts on a variety of topics possibly including, but not limited to, dance, disability, dementia, mental health, life transitions, automotive, real estate, business coaching, translation and localization, insurance, financial advising, writing, marketing, psychology, culture and ethnicity, heritage, and identity.
  • Write copy for clients in a range of industries including, but not limited to, health, security, human resources, automotive, insurance, real estate, and more.
  • Edit content written by others.
These will be your secondary responsibilities:
  • Assist with other digital marketing duties for Lori’s fiction series as required, including limited social media responsibilities and basic Canva tasks.
  • Assist with special projects as needed.
All content must be written from scratch unless otherwise instructed, e.g., when editing content for a client. Plagiarism and using AI to create content are forbidden.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

  • 2-3 years’ experience in content writing, or a mix of content writing and marketing
  • Demonstrated ability to put yourself in the audience’s shoes
  • Fluent in written and spoken English 
  • Demonstrated ability to accept feedback
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, virtually, and with others
  • Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities
  • Demonstrated ability to research a range of topics from reliable sources
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word
  • Demonstrated interest in any of the following areas an asset: vehicles and the automotive industry, performing arts, mental health, publishing industry
  • Intermediate French or German an asset
  • Experience using British English an asset
  • Knowledge of Later, MS Teams, and/or WordPress an asset

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

  • This position is deadline-driven. The incumbent can set their own hours during business hours so long as 20 hours a week are met and work is delivered by deadline. The only exception is meetings: we will meet weekly via MS Teams and whenever else meetings are required/requested.
  • This position is home-based and therefore virtual except for monthly or quarterly in-person meetings.
  • We track our time on most projects. This helps us see where we can create more efficient writing practices. Moreover, some work is billed hourly to the client.

Confidentiality and Discretion

The incumbent must maintain the confidentiality of all company information and must not discuss such matters outside of Lori Straus Communications and Head in the Ground Publishing.

Applying to the Position

Please submit all documents in PDF or Word format to LoriStraus@LoriStrausCommunications.com, and please follow these requirements:
  • Keep your cover letter to one page.
  • Limit your resume to three pages or fewer.
  • Please prioritize readability on all documents.
  • Send three portfolio samples:
    • Include at least one blog post of up to 800 words.
    • Do not include fiction, please.
    • Ensure portfolio samples are drafts before your work was edited.

About Lori Straus Communications

Lori Straus Communications emphasizes an individual approach to each client’s messaging. We follow best practices for marketing and copywriting but approach our work with a people-first mindset. Review our website for more details.

About Head in the Ground Publishing

Head in the Ground Publishing is Lori Straus’s publishing imprint for her fiction: a historical/contemporary young adult series called Between Worlds and a sweet romance series called Love on Belmont. She will soon begin another YA series.

The novels are free from explicit content as an answer to the highly explicit content in pop culture right now. However, her work is not conservative. Visit Lori's author website for details on this aspect of some of the work you may be requested to help with.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Lori Straus Communications, we do our best to foster a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing accommodations within our resources to enhance accessibility. If you have specific accessibility needs, we encourage you to discuss them with us so we can explore how to effectively support you.

Have a Question About Content Writing? Email Us and We'll Get Back to You Within 1 Business day.

Phone (New York/Toronto): (519) 503-7098

Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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