Projects & Communications Lead

Community Enhancement Strategies (CES) is looking for a Projects & Communications Lead to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to build a career in community development while working directly with First Nations communities and other clients across Manitoba and Ontario.

This is a relationship-driven role. You’ll represent CES with clients and communities, lead conversations and presentations, understand what people need and make sure those needs are carried through to the final deliverable. If you’re highly personable, culturally sensitive, adaptable and comfortable taking initiative, this could be a great fit.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Projects & Communications Lead is responsible for building and maintaining strong client relationships while helping keep projects moving from initial conversations through to completion.

You’ll meet with clients and community members, facilitate meetings and presentations, attend events and tradeshows, and support business development activities. You’ll become a trusted point of contact who understands the context behind each project and can effectively communicate that context to the rest of the team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with clients and community members.
• Meet with clients in person, by phone and virtually to understand their goals, present findings, gather information and discuss project needs.
• Facilitate community surveys and lead meetings, presentations and other engagement activities.
• Represent CES at tradeshows, community events, presentations and business development opportunities.
• Understand the context, history and priorities behind each project and ensure that context is effectively communicated to the internal team.
• Advocate for client needs while balancing project scope, timelines, budgets and internal priorities.

PROJECT & INTERNAL COORDINATION

• Keep an overall eye on the health of assigned projects and ensure important details, requests and follow-ups do not slip through the cracks.
• Coordinate with internal team members to ensure client needs and project priorities are understood and addressed.
• Follow up with other departments and help determine priorities as project requirements change.
• Review junior staff and creative deliverables for accuracy, context and alignment with client expectations.
• Maintain meticulous notes and records of client conversations, requests, decisions and project requirements.
• Contribute information and context to reports, proposals, quotes and other project deliverables.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Build relationships that support repeat business and long-term client partnerships.
• Participate in business development activities, including presentations, pitches, proposals, tradeshows and other opportunities to introduce CES to potential clients.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and communicate potential opportunities to company leadership.

WHO WILL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE

You’re an exceptional communicator who genuinely enjoys people, but you’re also comfortable working independently in a small and sometimes quiet office. This role includes periods of active client and community engagement, followed by quieter stretches of focused work, so you should be equally comfortable building relationships and putting your head down to get things done.

You can walk into a room, build rapport, listen carefully and make people feel heard and respected. You’re comfortable presenting, facilitating conversations and representing an organization professionally, while also being adaptable and able to think on your feet when plans change.

You care deeply about the work and understand that strong relationships are built through consistency, follow-through and trust. You’re organized, self-directed and comfortable working within an evolving environment where not every process is perfectly defined.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Manitoba Class 5 driver’s license (or equivalent) and a safe driving record.
• Cultural sensitivity, professionalism, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances are essential.
• Experience building and maintaining client or stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with project coordination, project management or a similar role involving multiple competing priorities.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment and navigate ambiguity.
• Ability to build trust and communicate respectfully with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Experience working with First Nations communities or knowledge of First Nations community structures, priorities and perspectives is an asset.
• Experience with research, copywriting, report writing or proposal development is an asset.

LOCATION & TRAVEL

• This position is based in our Winnipeg office and is primarily office-based, with a mix of in-person and virtual client meetings.
• Travel throughout Manitoba may be required to support client meetings, community engagement activities, presentations and other project needs. Most travel is completed as day trips, with overnight travel occasionally requested with notice.
• As CES continues to grow, there may be increasing opportunities to participate in community-based projects and field activities. Flexibility and willingness to travel is key for candidates interested in expanding their role over time.

If you’re a natural relationship-builder who loves working with people, thrives on variety and is looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: $55,000.00-$65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person