This 20 month, 30 hours per week contract position (which could become permanent) is based in Stratford with occasional travel throughout Perth and Huron counties. The Social Enterprise Specialist:
• Is accountable to the United Way Board of Directors through the Executive Director
• Reports to and takes direction from the Project Manager from the Stratford Centre for Employment and Learning
• Represents the United Way of Perth-Huron, The Centre for Employment and Learning, and the Stratford Perth Centre for Business (sponsors of the Practice Firm and Social Enterprise project) when undertaking external presentation and communication activities.
Basic Purpose:
• To plan, develop and manage the business and financial components of a Social Enterprise with the capacity to serve 60-120 youth annually based on a digital media company model
Duties:
Social Enterprise Development
• Develop a Business Plan for the Digital Media Social Enterprise using Vision, Mission, Mandate, Values statements as developed by the project’s steering committee
• Implement the Business Plan, including monitoring of competitive services, sales and marketing performance, contract service delivery performance, pricing, and management of multi-year budgets and growth plans
• Manage day to day operational aspects of the Social Enterprise
• Conduct quarterly business analysis of the SE, including pending client revenue prospects, cash flow projections, short-, mid-and long-term budget scenarios as related to the annual forecast.
• Keep the Project Manager (Tine) informed of important enterprise activities
• Attend and report to monthly Steering Committee meetings
Employment and Development
• Collaborate with, assist and support the Practice Firm Project Manager in personal learning and development planning for the Social Enterprise/Practice Firm participants
• Create opportunities and enable SE participants to play a proactive role in the management of the social enterprise
• Prioritize and allocate jobs and tasks to SE participants and volunteers
Marketing and Advertising
• Plan and implement advertising and promotional strategy and activities for the Digital Media Social Enterprise with assistance from the United Way of Perth Huron
• Be responsible for the development of the SE and PF brands, promotional material and web presence with assistance from the United Way of Perth Huron
• Develop and manage SE participant competence in these areas so as to optimize and sustain sales performance.
External Communications, Sales and Public Relations:
• Liaise with external companies and organizations to sell social and digital media services and to ensure clear communication when developing and delivering service contracts
• Liaise with and utilize support from community partners as required
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have:
• A minimum of three-five years business experience and preferably education in digital technology or business or finance
• The ability to communicate persuasively and effectively
• Working knowledge of social enterprises and their role in the community economic development would be an asset
• The ability to multi-task and reprioritize activities with little supervision. Proven track record in successfully handling multiple projects at one time
• Demonstrated strategic/enterprise view while maintaining attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information and make sound judgments while demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit plus the passion and energy need to grow a SE
• An understanding of the diverse needs and challenges facing youth in a rural community
• Use of a vehicle
• An ability to work well independently as well as to take guidance from a steering committee/board of directors
• A willingness to embrace innovation while remaining calm
Computer Skills:
• Knowledge of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Four Square and Linked In
• Knowledge of Word sufficient to create complex documents, which may contain graphics, form fields, sub-headings and indexes
• Knowledge of Excel sufficient to create moderately complex spreadsheets and data gathering analysis tools containing tables, formulas, links and graphs
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite sufficient to review relevant files.
Compensation will be $25-$30 per hour. Please send applications by email to: mwhittaker@perthhuron.unitedway.ca no later than noon on Tuesday, April 17. Interviews with selected candidates will be held the following week. It is hoped that the selected candidate is able to begin work by mid-May.
If you have any questions, pls contact Charlene Gordon at 519.273.5126.
