Relationship and Recruitment Specialist

Job summary

Develop and deliver outreach and recruitment activities to grow membership, build lasting relationships with public-sector employers and partner networks, and represent Applaud at events. Manage prospective-member pipelines in the CRM, coordinate follow-up, and measure campaign and recruitment results to improve conversion and return on investment.

Job details

What is Applaud – People In Public Service? Applaud is a free membership association dedicated to recognizing, celebrating and supporting the people who serve our communities. We connect current and retired public service employees across Ontario with meaningful programs, resources, recognition and exclusive benefits that support their personal and professional lives. The Opportunity Working with the Marketing & Communications team, you’ll help grow Applaud’s membership across Ontario’s public sector by engaging and building lasting relationships with employers, associations and employee networks, representing Applaud at events, and guiding prospective members from initial interest to registration. This is a hybrid position based in Toronto, with occasional travel across Ontario to attend events, meetings and recruitment activities. Salary Range Annual Salary: $61,310–$64,716 What You’ll Do Develop and deliver recruitment and outreach activities that support annual membership growth objectives. Build and maintain long-term relationships with public-sector employers, HR leaders, associations, employee networks, Long Service Recognition clients and other potential referral partners to support ongoing membership recruitment and engagement. Develop and implement ongoing engagement and follow-up activities with organizational contacts to strengthen relationships, identify new recruitment opportunities and sustain membership growth. Identify promising workplaces, communities, professional networks and events; recommend opportunities based on audience fit, recruitment potential, cost and expected return. Represent Applaud at conferences, meetings, presentations, networking activities and public-sector events. Partner with Marketing & Communications to support targeted campaigns that turn awareness and interest into membership. Manage a pipeline of prospective organizations and contacts; use Applaud’s CRM to record interactions, coordinate follow-up and track leads through conversion or closure. Set and monitor measures for outreach, events and campaigns; analyze acquisition and conversion results to identify what works. Assess the return on investment of recruitment activities and recommend where efforts should be increased, adjusted or discontinued. What Success Looks Like You’ll contribute to an annual target of approximately 1,500 new members and help expand Applaud’s reach across priority Ontario Public Service (OPS), broader public-sector (BPS) and municipal audiences. Success will also mean building and maintaining strong organizational relationships that create ongoing recruitment opportunities, while tracking results and identifying the most effective approaches to support sustainable membership growth. What You Bring Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, business, public relations, community engagement or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in membership development, business development, outreach, marketing, community engagement or stakeholder relations. Demonstrated experience building and maintaining professional relationships, developing networks and representing an organization at events, meetings and presentations. Experience identifying recruitment opportunities, generating leads and converting prospective audiences into members, clients or participants. Experience using CRM systems to manage relationships, track recruitment opportunities, coordinate follow-up and evaluate outreach performance. Strong communication, presentation, planning and organizational skills, with the initiative to identify opportunities, manage multiple priorities and work independently toward recruitment objectives. Experience in the public sector, a non-profit, an association or a membership-based organization is an asset. Why Applaud? Join a collaborative team dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the people who serve our communities. You'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships across Ontario's public sector, take initiative in developing new opportunities and play a direct role in growing Applaud's membership and impact. How to Apply Send your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest to hr@applaudpublicservice.ca. Use “Relationship and Recruitment Specialist” as the email subject line. Application deadline: November 10th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applaud – People in Public Service is committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Accommodation is available throughout recruitment and selection upon request.

What you’ll do

Develop and deliver outreach and recruitment activities to grow membership, build lasting relationships with public-sector employers and partner networks, and represent Applaud at events. Manage prospective-member pipelines in the CRM, coordinate follow-up, and measure campaign and recruitment results to improve conversion and return on investment.

Requirements

Applicants need post-secondary education in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience, along with experience in membership development, outreach, marketing, business development, community engagement, or stakeholder relations. They should have experience building professional relationships, generating and converting leads, using CRM systems, and strong communication, presentation, planning, and organizational skills.

Listed skills

• Recruitment · Preferred
• Organization · Preferred
• CRM Management · Preferred
• Planning · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred
• Business development · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Membership Development
• Recruitment
• Outreach
• Relationship Building
• Stakeholder Relations
• Lead Generation
• Business Development
• CRM Management
• Campaign Support
• Event Representation
• Presentation Skills
• Communication
• Planning
• Organization
• Performance Measurement
• Return on Investment Analysis

Job areas

• Marketing
• Sales
• Government & Public Sector
• Customer Service & Support