Marketing & Communications Specialist

About NEXT

Creating Canada’s Next Generation of High-Impact Entrepreneurs

NEXT is Canada's premier founder development organization. We identify and accelerate Canada's most ambitious entrepreneurs by providing world-class programming, mentorship, investor connections, and an extraordinary community. Our alumni have built hundreds of companies, raised billions in investment, and created thousands of jobs across Canada.

As NEXT enters an exciting period of national growth, we're looking for a creative, highly organized Marketing & Communications Coordinator to help tell our story, grow our audience, and showcase the incredible founders and partners within our community.

About the Role

We're looking for a creative, organized and proactive marketer who loves telling compelling stories and bringing brands to life. In this role, you'll lead the day-to-day execution of NEXT's marketing and communications across social media, email, website, digital campaigns and events.

You'll work closely with every team member across the organization to showcase our founders, engage our alumni, celebrate our partners and sponsors, and strengthen NEXT's position as Canada's leading founder development organization.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, enjoys taking ownership of their work, and is passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation and building communities that create lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

Social Media Management

• Manage NEXT's social media channels and content calendar.
• Create graphics, reels, videos and written content.
• Monitor community engagement and respond to comments and messages.
• Track performance and recommend content improvements.

Content Creation & Storytelling

• Create engaging content across social media, website, email, blogs and other digital channels.
• Capture and tell compelling stories about founders, alumni, mentors, partners and sponsors through written, photo and video content.
• Maintain an organized library of marketing assets including photos, videos, testimonials and brand resources.

Website & Email Management

• Keep the website current with news, events, founder stories and program information.
• Build and distribute email newsletters and marketing campaigns.
• Support SEO/AEO and user experience improvements.
• Maintain audience lists and email segmentation.

Brand Management

• Ensure consistent use of the NEXT brand across all materials
• Maintain marketing templates and brand assets
• Support development of presentations, reports, and promotional materials
• Assist with production of the annual Impact Report and Grit Magazine
• Identify opportunities to improve marketing processes through AI and automation

Performance & Reporting

• Track and report on key marketing metrics across social media, website, email and digital campaigns.
• Maintain marketing dashboards and provide regular insights and recommendations to improve performance.

General Marketing Support

• Manage the organization's marketing calendar, ensuring campaigns, events, content and communications are planned, coordinated and delivered on schedule.
• Coordinate multiple marketing projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines, approvals and deliverables stay on track.
• Collaborate with Programming, Partnerships, Alumni and Leadership to execute integrated marketing campaigns that support organizational priorities.
• Support marketing activities for program recruitment, events, sponsor recognition and alumni engagement.
• Perform other marketing and communications duties as required.

Qualifications

We're more interested in talent, creativity, and initiative than checking every box.

You may be a great fit if you have

• 2-4 years of marketing experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong copywriting and storytelling ability
• Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience managing social media accounts professionally
• Experience with Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (or similar design tools)
• Experience with email marketing platforms
• Experience updating websites using a CMS
• Basic knowledge of SEO
• Photography and video editing skills are considered a strong asset

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with Google Analytics and marketing dashboards
• Experience using AI tools to improve marketing workflows
• Experience in startups, entrepreneurship, non-profits or working on small teams
• Experience with CRM systems

We recognize that experience comes in many forms. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply.

Success in Your First Year

By the end of your first year, you will have:

• Established a consistent and professional marketing presence across NEXT's channels.
• Implemented a reliable marketing calendar and content production process that keeps campaigns and communications on schedule.
• Built a strong pipeline of founder, alumni, partner and sponsor stories that showcases NEXT's impact year-round.
• Expanded NEXT's reach, audience and engagement across key digital marketing channels.
• Improved the quality, consistency and search performance (SEO/AEO) of the NEXT website.
• Delivered high-quality marketing campaigns that support program recruitment, events, alumni engagement and sponsor recognition.
• Established regular marketing reporting that informs decisions and continuous improvement.
• Contributed to achieving NEXT's annual marketing objectives and key performance indicators through the consistent execution of high-quality marketing campaigns.
• Strengthened NEXT's brand awareness and reputation within Canada's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Why Join NEXT?

• Work directly with Canada's top entrepreneurs and innovators.
• Help shape the national brand of one of Canada's leading founder development organizations.
• Significant ownership and autonomy.
• Opportunity to grow as the organization expands nationally.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team.
• Access to inspiring founders, investors and ecosystem leaders.

Details and Benefits

Salary range

$55,000-$65,000

15 days vacation + Statutory holidays

Health Benefits

RRSP matching

Flexible/hybrid work arrangement

Cell phone allowance

Location: Toronto (Hybrid) | Employment Type: Full-Time

Apply by July 27, 2026

Please email your application (cover letter and CV) to katie.squiresthompson@nextcanada.com with the subject line "Marketing & Comms Application - [YOUR NAME]"