Job Description

Salary rate: $50,891 annually – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package!

Location: 365 Bloor St. East YMCA

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Employment Type: Contract Salaried (until March 31, 2027)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: Immediately

Deadline to Apply: Posted until filled

Be the Spark! Join our passionate team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The Community Engagement & Content Specialist Bilingual plays a key role in supporting the development and implementation of outreach and engagement strategies aimed at building strong relationships with community organizations and partners. This position is responsible for creating, managing, and promoting content in both of Canada’s official languages across various platforms to enhance the visibility of YMCA programs and services. The Specialist collaborates with internal teams and external partners to plan, organize, and execute online and in-person events, ensuring smooth execution and effective communication. Additionally, the role involves tracking engagement, optimizing outreach strategies, and staying informed about relevant trends to continuously improve impact. A strong focus on maintaining confidentiality, managing communication tools, and adhering to organizational and funder standards is essential.

In this role, you will:

• Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating an annual outreach and community engagement plan, as well as a communications and marketing plan, in accordance with the policies and standards of the YMCA of Greater Toronto and the funder.
• Engage and build relationships with community organizations (pre- and post-arrival), including YMCA Employment/YMCA Immigrant Services programs, fostering cross-collaboration while addressing the needs of the target audience.
• Work closely with the Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator/Team Leader/PACS Program Coordinator Bilingual to develop, manage, and publish content such as webinars, videos, blogs, articles, and event calendars across program online platforms and social media channels in both of Canada’s official languages.
• Create, edit, and proofread digital content in both of Canada’s official languages, ensure consistency with YMCA branding, and use content development tools to produce and edit videos, graphics, and e-learning materials.
• Engage community partners to contribute to content creation, such as guest speakers and writers for webinars, videos, and blog posts in both of Canada’s official languages.
• Enhance programs' social media presence by implementing creative strategies such as platform-specific initiatives and targeted campaigns, and use management tools to track engagement and optimize outreach.
• Plan, produce, promote, and coordinate online and in-person events, including community forums and stakeholder meetings, and ensure seamless execution within set timelines.
• Identify, coordinate, and follow up on logistics for online and in-person events, including vendors, lodging, equipment, and other necessary details.
• Maintain and update a contact database of key internal and external partners, including pre- and post-arrival settlement service providers.
• Develop and manage ongoing communication tools such as newsletters and online community forums to engage partners and clients, in both of Canada’s official languages.
• Provide support in translating program materials between English and French.
• Remain alert to immigration, newcomer, and settlement trends and use this data to inform content development and improvement.
• Provide regular status reports to their leader, identify potential challenges, and propose solutions to maintain project timelines and budgets.
• Collaborate with the team to raise awareness of the program among the target population and liaise with international partners to develop referral mechanisms.
• Ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information and comply with YMCA and funder privacy policies.
• Coordinate with IRS staff to research, collect, and organize accurate and up-to-date settlement-related information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

You bring:

• Post-secondary education in related field or equivalent training/work experience.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with newcomers, providing settlement information and referral.
• Proven experience in community relations strategies, including outreach and engagement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of settlement and immigration barriers, trends, resources, and services.
• Marketing background, experience in organizing events, programming, and troubleshooting experience are an asset.
• Experience working with content management systems is an asset.
• Advanced social media skills (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter).
• Familiarity with photo and video editing software.
• Some understanding of best practices for online usability, accessibility, and safety.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about leveraging technology to connect with and engage people.
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with participants, community partners, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and French.
• Strong presentation and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with diplomacy and tact in various types of environments.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging.

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here