Marketing and Public Relations Officer
Summer Employment Opportunity – Ontario Summer Employment Opportunities Program
Rideau Canoe Club – 2026 CKC Sprint National Championships
Ottawa, Ontario – June 15 to September 4, 2026
This position is funded through the Government of Ontario's Summer Employment Opportunities Program.
The Opportunity
This summer, the Rideau Canoe Club (RCC) will host the 2026 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships at Mooney's Bay in Ottawa – a major national sporting event expected to welcome over 2,000 athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and thousands of spectators from across the country. We are looking for an enthusiastic student to join our Host Organizing Committee as a Marketing and Public Relations Officer.
The contract runs June 15 to September 4, 2026, with a flexible structure built around the event calendar: approximately 10 hours per week during the pre-event planning period, ramping up to full-time (8 hours/day) during the Championships (August 25–30), with a few wrap-up hours in the days following. Total contract hours are approximately 158 hours.
This is a hands-on opportunity to gain real experience in sport event marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement at a national level.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and schedule bilingual (English/French) content for event social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook), the event website, and email newsletters
- Support media relations activities, including drafting media advisories, press releases, and background materials
- Assist with stakeholder and partner communications, including outreach to sponsors, government partners, vendors, and community organizations
- Support sponsor recognition activities, including social media promotion and acknowledgement materials
- Assist with preparation of materials for dignitaries and invited guests attending the Championships
- Support on-site communications during the event (August 25–30), including content capture: photos, short videos, and athlete interviews
- Assist with post-event communications, including thank-you materials and wrap-up content
- Contribute to development of reusable communications tools and templates for future club use
What We're Looking For
- Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in communications, marketing, public relations, sport management, journalism, or a related field (or within 6 months of graduation)
- Strong written communication skills in English; bilingual (English/French) candidates are strongly preferred
- Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
- Organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing multiple priorities
- Interest in sport, event management, or the non-profit sector
- A team player who brings a positive, professional attitude
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this position under the Ontario Summer Employment Opportunities Program, you must:
- Be currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution, or within six months of graduation
- Be a resident of Ontario during the period of employment
- Be eligible to work in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Candidates aged 18 and older will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Police Check prior to commencing employment.
Position Details
- Organization - Rideau Canoe Club
- Location - Ottawa, Ontario (hybrid; on-site required during Championships week)
- Term - June 15 – September 4, 2026
- Pre-event hours - ~10 hours/week (June 15 – August 24)
- Event hours - 8 hours/day, August 25–30
- Post-event - A few hours wrap-up, September 1–4
- Total hours - ~158 hours over the contract term
- Compensation - $17.60/hour
- Program - Ontario Summer Employment Opportunities Program
How to Apply
Send a resume and a brief cover letter (no more than one page) to:
[email protected]
Subject line: Marketing and PR Officer – 2026 Nationals
We welcome applications on a rolling basis and will contact candidates as they are reviewed. We are committed to fair, accessible, and transparent recruitment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Questions? Reach us at [email protected]
Pay: $17.60 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ottawa, ON K2C 0B1
