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About the David Suzuki Foundation

Always grounded in sound evidence, the David Suzuki Foundation empowers people to take action in their communities on the environmental challenges we collectively face. Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, we conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada.

Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future. Our vision is that we all act every day on the understanding that we are One with Nature. #OneNature

You can learn more about us at www.davidsuzuki.org

The David Suzuki Foundation hires on the basis of merit and understands that merit is strengthened by equality and diversity.  The Foundation prioritizes a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Job Title: Communications and Engagement Specialist

Terms: Full-time 1-year term (34 hours/ 4 days)

Location: Based out of our Vancouver office, remote work during pandemic conditions

Reporting to: Director, Mobilization & Engagement & Director, Communications

Salary: 50-60k based on experience

• Are you a talented communications and engagement specialist who wants to work for the good of our Canadian climate, communities and youth engagement?
• Are you passionate about working for a great organization that has a strong commitment to support the protection of nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future?

 About the Role

We are a group of talented, bright and passionate people working to make a difference in the world, and for our families and friends.

We are looking for a collaborative and solutions-oriented communications and engagement specialist who will play a critical role in the success of several projects and initiatives.

This is an exciting time at the David Suzuki Foundation and this role is an exciting opportunity for the right person. As a term role it will create an important bridge between the public engagement and communications teams, providing communications support for select public engagement projects and coordinating superior project delivery.

You would be working closely with the Director, Mobilization & Engagement and the Director of Communications, to ensure all our public engagement initiatives - from keystone projects like the Future Ground Network and the Butterflyway Project, to emerging focus areas such as youth engagement and online events - have the communications and project coordination support needed for maximum impact.

This role will also be responsible for the development and delivery of the Future Ground Prize, an annual contest that is currently run in Ontario. 

Who You Are

You’re an expert at delivering on long-term national engagement goals by creating exceptional and engaging content. You have experience in the development and delivery of annual contests.

You are used to collaborating with project leads on campaigns (including our Quebec office) and capturing and sharing key content through the Foundation’s communications channels (web, email, social media, traditional media, etc.). You thrive as an engaged and effective team player with strong inter-personal skills.

You’re energetic and enjoy dynamic work that is committed to an important mission, and is results driven and community oriented. You really care about the environment.

You love your work and thrive in a fast-paced stimulating environment. 

You are professional and expert in project management and organizational skills.

Your super power is that you are an excellent communicator/ writer AND an engager/ connector. You work well in collaboration or independently, and under pressure to handle a wide variety of activities, and with other departments. 

Future Ground Prize - Details

The Future Ground Prize contest reflects one of the Foundation's strongest commitments: to give a voice to citizen groups working towards ecological transition! This exciting initiative was first launched in French in Quebec in 2014 (as Prix Demain le Quebec) and highlights the impact citizens can have in their communities. Over 100 applications are received each year, before being submitted to a public vote and a jury, which together decide on the most deserving initiative. In 2021, we delivered the awards program in English for the first time in Ontario.

The grand prize winner receives a $5,000 scholarship, extensive media coverage, and a (virtual) visit from David Suzuki. A second winner (People’s Choice Award) receives a $2,500 scholarship plus likely local media coverage. In 2021, a third category for youth projects has been added with a particular focus on connecting with schools. The youth prize will also amount to $2,500.

On this project, your job will be to run the Future Ground Prize in Ontario in the spring of 2022-23, and potentially help expand the awards program to new provinces.

Your Responsibilities:

• Write, review and disseminate a broad array of communications and engagement materials providing the opportunity for target audiences to take action.
• Respond quickly to emerging/external engagement and acquisition opportunities.
• Work with communications and public engagement teams to lead communications responses for key public engagement initiatives.
• Support digital engagement by developing ad copy, email welcome series for new leads, supporting content for brand lead vs program lead campaigns.
• Contribute to the development of integrated strategies and content for communications, government relations, campaigns, funder reports and project delivery.
• Participate in both communications and public engagement planning and strategy sessions
• Manage the Foundation’s green-living content and coordinating content from staff and contractors as needed for the monthly email digest as well as social media and web stories.
• Coordinate Future Ground Prize project including outreach to various stakeholders and key influencers, management of applications, online voting and final awards.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• You are a proven networked individual with a minimum of 5 year’s experience in organizing using a distributed organizing model, communications or public engagement.
• You have strong project management experience with an ability to work within tight timelines.
• You have experience with media and demonstrated success in strategic communications planning, objective setting and plan execution.
• Editorial experience (assignment copy, web content, etc.) is required.
• You have extensive experience working with diverse stakeholders and across many sectors - connecting with everyone from municipal governments, to small community groups, to schools and the general public.
• You are an independent person skilled at taking a project from inception to completion.
• You are a skilled and talented event planner.
• You have an ability to communicate effectively across many channels: email, advertising, social media, etc.
• You are a proven team player, working successfully in a team environment.
• You work equally well in English and French (written and spoken).

What you bring to the role:

• Experience working in the Non-Profit sector
• Connections to Indigenous communities and other diverse communities
• Digital and online communications experience
• Experience communicating about environmental and/or social justice issues
• Project management portfolio

What You Get

• Being part of a team of superstars
• Involvement with an environmental mission that is critical to our times
• Generous benefit package
• 4-day work week
• Amazing work culture with smart colleagues that care
• An experience working in an organization with a focus on technology

Additional Information

Please submit your cover letter and your resume online and submit your application by going to https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/ The position will stay open until it is filled.  Only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

We recognize the importance of a diversified workforce, and we encourage women, Indigenous People(s), First Nations, Inuk/ Inuit and Métis candidates, racialized persons, and persons with different abilities to apply.