We’re Hiring! Communications Manager Job Posting

It’s true: Hand Eye Society is looking for someone to help deliver our vision of growing, supporting, and exploring the video game arts to Toronto and beyond! The Communications Manager will work alongside the Operations and Projects staff to engage audiences about our various programs, as well as signal-boost other gaming arts-related events through our newsletter and social media channels. We’re a diverse team who have worked to bring the playful arts to a variety of spaces, from public libraries and schools to film festivals and art galleries, and we are looking for someone who is excited to help shape the future of the medium with us!

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Our staff is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds (including PoC, WoC, LGBTQ, and Disabled), and several of us are involved to some degree in social justice movements or activities. Candidates from marginalized or underprivileged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply —  Lived experience is expertise! If there is anything in this application process that would pose a barrier to applying beyond the main requirements, please contact Sagan at sagan@handeyesociety.com to discuss options.

About Us

Hand Eye Society (HES) is a nomadic non-profit arts organization whose mission is to support and celebrate games and playful media made primarily as a means of creative expression. We aim to engage artists, players, and the game curious in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with a wide variety of year-round programming, including festivals, workshops, exhibits, and other events and partnerships. Founded in 2009, HES played an instrumental part in laying the foundation for Toronto’s vibrant, active indie games community, and continues to grow as it approaches its 10th anniversary in 2019.

Job Description

HES Communications encompasses the following activities: Newsletter and Calendar; Website; Social Media; Promotion and Marketing; Documentation; Memberships; some Fundraising and Sponsorships. As HES continues to grow, the Communications Manager may eventually delegate certain responsibilities to other staff. Until then, the selected candidate will work alongside the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Director of Technology, and Project Leads to generally oversee and execute tasks in all of these areas.

  • Remote, work-from-home
  • $25/hour after probationary period (see Hiring Schedule)
  • Approx. 20-30 hours per month
  • Start date: September 2018

 

Main Tasks

  • Researching and writing the monthly newsletter and blog posts, approx. 1-4 per month depending on event frequency; maintaining the Google Calendar event list (20%)
  • Managing our social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter (15-20%)
  • Maintaining and updating our WordPress website (15-20%)
  • Promote our events and programming to the general public, members, sponsors, press; create promotional campaigns and strategies for larger HES events, such as Comics X Games, WordPlay and the Hand Eye Society Ball (20%)
  • Oversee the creation of promotional and marketing materials such as posters, banners, flyers, trailers, etc. and ensuring sponsorship inclusion (10%)
  • Handle incoming memberships and membership engagement (10%)
  • Respond to incoming general inquiries, and forwarding specific inquiries to the appropriate staff person if needed (5%)
  • Misc administrative duties (3%)
  • Update and manage list of promotional resources and press (2%)

 

Requirements and Expectations

  • Lives in Toronto/Greater Toronto Area
  • Excellent English written and verbal communication skills
  • Reliable computer and Internet access
  • Broad knowledge of the Toronto video game and media arts communities and organizations (industry, academic, arts, activist, etc.)
  • Responds to e-mail, Slack, Twitter and Facebook messages in a timely fashion
  • Must be able to work from home with mainly online interaction and the occasional in-person meeting, approximately 1-4 times per month
  • Must practice policies of equity and inclusion, including undergoing staff training and making sure volunteers and organizational partners also reflect our community values

 

Bonus Points!

  • Has a unique creative writing voice and the ability to tell a good story
  • Knowledgeable about best practices in social media, e-newsletters and blog writing
  • General knowledge of international gaming arts networks
  • Ability to research news outlets and press, and engage them with our stories
  • Owns and is able to use image editing software such as Photoshop
  • Understanding of graphic design principles and the process of creating visual promotional material for both print and web (Facebook banners, posters, pamphlets, etc)
  • Experience with sponsorship and fundraising

 

Ideal Platform Proficiencies

  • WordPress (strong)
  • Mailchimp (strong)
  • Twitter (strong)
  • Facebook (strong)
  • Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar (medium)
  • Slack (medium)
  • Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign (strong bonus)

 

Benefits and Opportunities

  • Flexible hours
  • All benefits of HES membership plus free attendance at our workshops and events
  • Help program and curate HES activities (Note: Our Conflict of Interest Policy will be in effect, as this is an Operational role)
  • Occasional travel/research opportunities to non-HES arts events as appropriate
  • Optional health insurance through the Arts & Entertainment Plan offered by AFBS
  • Reasonable scheduling accommodations for mental and physical health
  • Work with a diverse, passionate team helping to make video games a more inclusive, artsier place!

 

Hiring Schedule

  • Application Period: Submissions close Sunday August 26. Only select candidates will be chosen for an interview, to be scheduled throughout early September. Our final decision will be made by September 30 at the latest, but we are aiming for no later than Sept 10. Interviews will be conducted by the executive director Sagan Yee, and possibly one other staffperson.

 

  • Probationary Period: 3 months from first day of work, to be determined with lead candidate. Compensation during this period will be $20/hour. Training will take place over a few scheduled in-person meetings, after which most communication will take place over e-mail and Slack.

 

  • Review and Renewal: After the Probationary Period, we will review the candidate’s performance with them and, if both parties are in agreement, renew our contract for 2019. Compensation will be raised to $25/hour, in line with Hand Eye Society’s other key Operational roles. Contract will be 1-year renewable.

 

Code of Conduct

The Hand Eye Society is dedicated to upholding policies which reflect our values around equity, inclusion and diversity. Our staff is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds (including PoC, LGBTQ, and disabled), and several of us are involved to some degree in social justice activist movements or activities. We do not tolerate offensive verbal comments or attitudes towards gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standing; in addition, we strive to ensure that the organizations and individuals with whom we work also reflect our values in this regard. The selected candidate is expected to be open about learning and implementing best practices with regards to diversity and equity policies, including taking staff training if needed. You may also refer to our Safer Spaces Policy.

Please contact the Executive Director at sagan@handeyesociety.com with any questions about this position.

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