Technical Writer and Communications Specialist

Reporting to the Vice President, Business Development, as a new position, the role will be defined along the way and evolve to fit the business. The Technical Writer and Communications Specialist is responsible for leading the business development proposal initiatives and communication growth strategy of the company.

The Technical Writer and Communications Specialist is responsible to create and manage proposal and grant documentation; write highly technical documents and monitor the approved plans through progress and project reports to stakeholders and government agencies.  Technical Documentation expertise will be required to take complex information and communicate it clearly, concisely and accurately without relying on technical or corporate jargon to explain what they’re trying to say. 

The Technical Communications Specialist is responsible for communication strategy and planning, creative messaging, stakeholder engagement and marketing new capabilities including web and social media initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities

• Author, edit, and organize technical grant proposal process and technical documentation
• Create technical submissions in compliance with guidelines, specifications and deadlines of grants
• Develop and maintain documentation to follow-up on project progress to stakeholders and government agencies
• Create project reports on results for internal and external purposes
• Prepare and coordinate RFP response processes including writing RFP responses
• Write press releases, marketing materials, website copy, and internal corporate communications
• Develop scientific/technical/marketing content for delivery in a variety of formats
• Develop the communication strategy to effectively and profitably grow the organization
• Perform miscellaneous marketing and business development activities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field such as communication, marketing, or sciences.
• A technologist diploma will be considered an asset
• 5 years’ experience with technical documentation and writing
• 5 years’ of experience writing technical manuals from engineering drawings, manufacturing will be considered an asset
• 5 years’ experience developing and executing stakeholder communication campaigns for government agencies
• 5 years’ experience in writing RFP responses within an engineering environment
• Experience with document publishing tools
• Experience with web design and website administration will be considered an asset
• 5 years’ of marketing communications strategy development, multi-media communication materials creation, and project communication management experience

Skills

• Development of communication strategies, multi-media communication materials, and project communication management documentation within a technical environment
• Development of technical proposals for funding
• Development of progress reports
• Ability to apply technical writing principles to all work
• Ability to develop content that is accurate, clear, concise, and meets the needs of the target audience
• Understands technical/marketing/scientific content and can effectively adapt structure, tone, and style to meet objectives
• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents technical data effectively
• Great attention to detail, excellent organizational and planning abilities
• Proficiency with the MS Office suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proven ability to influence others and be sales savvy
• Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness and looks for ways to improve the quality of documentation

Interpersonal Skills

• An open and inclusive team player with an understanding of group dynamics and a track record of proactively managing tasks and responsibilities
• Relates easily to a broad range of people and understands an entrepreneurial disciplined mindset
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals
• Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapts strategy to changing conditions
• Is willing to look at issues from other points of view. Continually looks for effective ways to get buy in from others when developing plans of action. Is tactful, sensitive and aware of organization dynamics and competing interests
• High degree of Integrity and honesty
• Puts the team in the spotlight! Positive! Passionate about what they do!