Open until filled 

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience 

Location: Anywhere in Canada

Overview 

As Canada’s foremost climate policy research organization, the Canadian Climate Institute equips policy makers across the country to develop and adopt evidence-based solutions to complex climate and energy challenges. 

We drive results through in-depth research and analysis, innovative communications, and robust engagement with governments, industry leaders, Indigenous rights holders, and civil society. If you join our team, you’ll be collaborating with some of the most dedicated and influential thinkers working on transformational climate and energy policy in Canada. Learn about our latest work at climateinstitute.ca

The Role

The Director of Communications and External Relations works closely with the Management and Executive teams to lead the development and implementation of targeted communications, government relations, and engagement strategies to ensure the Institute’s research informs and shapes the debate on climate policy in Canada. This position is instrumental to managing the Institute’s brand and expanding our network and impact among priority audiences through targeted engagement, media coverage, events and convening, social media, marketing, and more. 

The Director of Communications and External Relations heads-up a multi-disciplinary, virtual team of communications and engagement professionals responsible for the production and dissemination of Institute research from start to finish. This includes: producing in-depth research reports, case studies, and policy briefs; stickhandling media coverage and commentary; expanding our digital marketing and subscriber engagement efforts; and planning and executing various on- and offline public affairs and convening initiatives. 

The successful candidate will be strategic and self-directed, creative yet detail-oriented, an inspiring and empowering manager, comfortable collaborating and convening in a predominantly virtual context, and adept at navigating the nuanced regional and policy context relevant to Canadian climate and energy issues. As a member of the Management Team, this position is instrumental in driving collaboration and strategic alignment across the Institute’s various program areas, and contributing to a positive, productive, equitable, and high-performing organizational culture.   

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Professional Qualifications

• Impeccable English-language skills are required; the ability to work fluently in both French and English is strongly preferred

• Experience working in a senior leadership capacity, including managing people, leading program(s), creating and managing budgets, and contributing to strategic planning and organizational development  

• At least seven years’ experience working in fields such as communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, media relations, public policy, or civic engagement

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, stakeholder engagement and convening, or a related field (equivalent work experience may also substitute for this degree)

• Experience conveying organizational perspectives in various settings including industry events, media interviews, and fundraising initiatives would be an asset

• Professional training, experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to advancing justice, equity, and inclusion in the workplace 

People and Program Management

• Experience leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in a virtual workplace and ensuring effective coordination and collaboration in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment  

• Proven ability to drive consensus, take calculated risks, provide direction, and manage competing priorities while accounting for strategic sensitivities, complexity, and uncertainty 

• Demonstrated financial management skills, including the ability to create and manage a detailed program budget and vendor contracts

• Experience monitoring and reporting on data-driven performance indicators to evaluate our impact and inform decisions about strategy, resources and priorities

• Familiarity with virtual collaboration tools (e.g. Google Suite, Slack, Zoom) and stakeholder management/CRM databases an asset

• A strong record of working collaboratively and constructively with executive and senior leadership staff, peers and colleagues, and external partners to navigate differences, establish common objectives, and advance strategic outcomes

• A strong professional network and proven ability to build constructive and collaborative relationships internally and externally

• Formal training, proven competencies and/or life experience working across cultural differences, with communities underrepresented in climate policy and research, and understanding of Indigenous knowledge, worldview, research and engagement best practices would be an asset   

Communications Expertise

• Extensive hands-on experience in all aspects of strategic communications content development and execution, including: lively and persuasive writing, impeccable editing and familiarity with CP Style conventions, a good eye for visual design, and an advanced and detail-oriented approach to project management, media relations, website management, social media, and direct marketing.    

• Experience overseeing or managing the execution of complex projects, production and/or publications to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard of excellence

• Established network and deep knowledge of the top national and regional journalists and media outlets, commentators, independent media outlets and others shaping Canada’s national and regional coverage of climate and energy policy 

• Informed perspective on the evolving social media landscape and the role of AI and other emerging technologies on digital communication and political engagement

External Relations 

• Proven experience designing, facilitating and executing complex government relations or policy advocacy campaigns, multi-stakeholder engagement initiatives, events, webinars, and other types of convening activities 

• Extensive knowledge of key players in Canada’s climate and energy policy landscape, including policy makers and government officials, stakeholders, industry representatives, Indigenous leaders and organizations, civil society groups, etc.

• Experience complying with lobbying legislation and requirements in various jurisdictions across Canada 

• Up-to-date understanding of the national and regional policy context and public opinion research relevant to adaptation, mitigation, clean growth, sustainable finance and Indigenous-led climate solutions, or some combination thereof

• Nuanced understanding of Canada’s legislative and policy development processes, including how to leverage expertise, strategic communications and engagement to drive policy change

What we Offer

• A full-time (40 hrs/wk) salaried position with occasional travel

• The opportunity to do meaningful work with a dynamic, highly committed team located across the country

• A flexible, virtual workplace with funds to cover home-office setup 

• Four weeks’ paid vacation plus federal stat holidays and additional paid days off at year-end

• Up to 5 days of unpaid leave per calendar year in order to participate in traditional Indigenous practices  

• The option to substitute statutory religious holidays for religious or cultural holidays you observe

• Employer-paid health care benefits, Employee Assistance Program, half-day Fridays in the summer, paid sick days, and paid parental leave among other employee supports

• An RRSP contribution plan available to staff after one year

• Funding for professional development, skill training, and participation in conferences

 The Canadian Climate Institute is committed to advancing justice and equity in our organization, our work, and our hiring practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, women, LGBTQIA2S+ and persons with disabilities, and are working to create an inclusive culture that supports collective growth, learning/unlearning and meaningful work. We value diverse perspectives and will consider relevant life experience alongside professional qualifications when reviewing applications.