📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Communications Specialist
🔹 Company: The Canada Life Assurance Company
🔹 Location: London, Winnipeg, Toronto
🔹 Job Type: Permanent Full Time
🔹 Category: Communications
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-15
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic communication plans for divisional and national audiences
- Creating content across various channels, including email, social media, and intranet sites
- Collaborating with internal partners, such as Community Relations, Media Production, Digital Services, and French Translations
- Managing projects and escalating issues or conflicting priorities to leaders/project leads
- Delivering inspiring, creative content solutions through collaboration with cross-functional team members
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects under pressure. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, complex environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develops content, copy, and approaches for a variety of channels and media, including email, SharePoint, intranet sites, events, PowerPoint, social media, and video
✅ As an active participant in strategy development, assess project communication objectives, needs, and goals, identifying audiences and their needs and issues, and delivers on tactical execution
✅ Builds relationships with immediate business partners to understand their needs
✅ Manages projects and escalates issues or conflicting priorities to leader/project lead
✅ Collaborates with members of the Communications team as well as internal partners such as Community Relations, Media Production, Digital Services, and French Translations
✅ Deliver inspiring, creative content solutions through collaboration with cross-functional team members to ensure consistent messages, positioning, timing, and language for various internal and external audiences
✅ Manage projects to deliver on communication plans and timelines
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution, requiring strong project management skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: A post-secondary degree relating to communications
Experience: At least 2 years of related experience
Required Skills:
- Strong proficiency in written communications across multiple channels and platforms
- Outstanding communication skills with a demonstrated ability to be creative in written content and visual approaches
- Problem-solving, strategic planning, and project management skills
- Ability to effectively manage and deliver multiple projects in a quality and timely manner, independently and under pressure
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills and ability to work well with a national team working in different locations
- Comfort with ambiguity and a changing environment
- Ability to handle sensitive/confidential information appropriately
- Proficiency with common office software
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 including SharePoint Online, Teams, and Live Events would be an asset
- Familiarity with social media would be an asset
Preferred Skills:
- Bilingual (French/English) would be an asset
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in communications, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful communication strategies.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The base salary for this position is between CAD 52,800 - CAD 97,700 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation (i.e., annual bonus, commission, etc.).
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Employee discounts and perks
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid work arrangement with flexibility for this position to be located in London, Winnipeg, or Toronto
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. The total compensation package may include additional components not listed here.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Insurance
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: As a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Corporation group of companies, Canada Life has a long history in the insurance and wealth management industry.
Company Description:
- Canada Life is committed to improving the financial, physical, and mental well-being of Canadians
- The company offers a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations
- Canada Life is dedicated to providing an inclusive, accessible environment where all employees and customers feel valued, respected, and supported
Company Specialties:
- Insurance and Wealth Management
Company Website: http://www.canadalife.com
ASSUMPTION: Canada Life is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the insurance industry. The company's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being is evident in its company culture and benefits package.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level
Reporting Structure: The Senior Communications Specialist will report directly to the Manager, Internal Communications
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement with flexibility for this position to be located in London, Winnipeg, or Toronto
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance to a Manager or Director role
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with senior leaders
- Access to professional development and training opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on more responsibilities and advance their career within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work environment with offices in London, Winnipeg, and Toronto
Office Location(s): 330 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1R8, CA; 60 Osborne St N, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1V3, CA
Geographic Context:
- London, Ontario: A mid-sized city with a population of approximately 383,822, offering a mix of urban and rural living
- Winnipeg, Manitoba: The capital and largest city in Manitoba, with a population of approximately 749,634, offering a diverse cultural scene and a strong sense of community
- Toronto, Ontario: The capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, with a population of approximately 2.93 million, offering a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and numerous job opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for this position to be located in London, Winnipeg, or Toronto
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers employees the best of both worlds, allowing them to work from home when convenient while still having access to the resources and collaboration opportunities available in the office.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the internal communications team
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Problem-solving and strategic planning abilities
- Project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects under pressure
- Cultural fit and alignment with Canada Life's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Be prepared to provide examples of your communication skills and project management experience during the interview
- Research Canada Life and be ready to discuss how your values align with the company's
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
ATS Keywords: Written Communications, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Collaboration, Relationship Building, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Content Development, Social Media, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Email Communication, Intranet Management, Event Planning, Video Production, Digital Services
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with Canada Life's values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online, Teams, Live Events)
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Video production and editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are common in the communications industry and can be learned with relative ease.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Putting customers first
- Building trust through integrity
- Collaborating for success
- Acting with agility
- Fostering a culture of inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-driven and focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences
- Committed to continuous learning and professional development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your communication skills and style align with Canada Life's values, particularly "Putting customers first" and "Building trust through integrity"?
- How do you approach working in a hybrid environment, and how do you ensure effective collaboration with team members in different locations?
- How do you balance multiple projects and priorities, and how do you ensure the quality and timeliness of your work under pressure?
ASSUMPTION: Canada Life values candidates who are strong communicators, adaptable, and committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences. The company's hybrid work environment requires employees to be self-motivated and able to manage their time effectively.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, which can be challenging and stressful at times
- The hybrid work arrangement may present communication and collaboration challenges, particularly when working with team members in different locations
- The role may require working on sensitive or confidential information, which requires a high level of discretion and professionalism
- The insurance industry can be complex and fast-paced, which may present learning curves and challenges for new employees
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges associated with this role can be mitigated with strong communication skills, effective time management, and a commitment to professional development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other communications roles, this position offers a higher level of responsibility and autonomy, as well as the opportunity to work on high-profile projects
- In the insurance industry, communications roles often focus on internal communications, employee engagement, and change management, making this role a good fit for candidates with experience in these areas
- Career progression in communications roles typically involves moving into management or specialist positions, with the potential to advance to director or vice president levels
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and is well-suited for candidates with experience in internal communications, employee engagement, and change management within the insurance industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic communication plan for a company-wide initiative, including creating content for various channels, managing projects, and collaborating with internal partners
- Creating a series of engaging and informative videos to educate employees on a new policy or benefit change, including scripting, production, and post-production
- Managing a company-wide event, including logistics, vendor management, and communication with attendees, to ensure a successful and memorable experience
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for the Senior Communications Specialist role, from strategic planning and content creation to project management and event coordination.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a time when you had to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and how did you ensure the quality and timeliness of your work?
- How do you approach working with team members in different locations, and how do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?
- Can you provide an example of a successful communication campaign you've developed and executed, and what was the outcome?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in communications, and how do you apply this knowledge to your work?
- What is your approach to handling sensitive or confidential information, and how do you ensure the security and privacy of this information?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the candidate's communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with Canada Life's values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for your interview by researching Canada Life and practicing your responses to common interview questions
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the position and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
