Senior Communications Specialist, Climate & ED Support

  • Full-time

Company Description

Join the country’s most trusted environmental organization and become a force for good!

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.

From our headquarters in Vancouver and our offices in Montreal and Toronto, we address the major environmental / social justice issues affecting the country from coast to coast and work in both official languages. 

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

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

The David Suzuki Foundation hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equality and diversity within its community and to a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, visible minority group members, 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 Description

Position Title: Senior Communications Specialist, Climate & ED Support

Terms: Full-time (34 hours/ 4-day week)

Salary: 60-70K

Location: Based at our Vancouver Office, with remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic

Reporting to: Director, Communications and Director-General, Quebec & Atlantic Canada

  • Are you a talented and adept communications professional who loves working for Climate and the Environmental Issues of our time?
  • Are you passionate about communicating effectively in order to engage, inspire and motivate DSF audiences and communities to take action?
  • Do you want to work with a team of exceptionally talented and bright people to make a real difference in the world?

You and the Job

You’re an experienced senior communications specialist who is adept at responding quickly to breaking stories. You’re an exceptional writer who produces inspiring and actionable content and a multi-skilled communicator who can move comfortably across different communications tasks.

In this role, you will lead communications responses for a variety of projects under DSF’s Climate Solutions Portfolio and provide communications support for our (relatively) new Executive Director in forms such as social media content development & strategy, media message development and speech writing support.

You will work closely with the Climate team as well as a variety of stakeholders, including First Nations, academics, businesses, municipalities, environmental groups, project managers, scientists, campaigners, policy analysts, and digital and public engagement specialists.

You’re the expert that will ensure climate-related communication opportunities are fulfilled to a high standard with measurable results and that key climate programs are well-represented through all DSF’s main communication channels (web, email, social media, media relations).

Your Responsibilities:

  • Lead our Climate projects communications in collaboration with your team members.
  • Write exceptional and informed media releases and editorials, emails, briefing notes, and web and social media content.
  • Develop and deliver creative and effective communications plans.
  • Develop integrated strategies and content for communications, government relations, campaigns, funder reports and project delivery to support DSF’s climate goals.
  • Work closely with the Director, Communications in leading and implementing the Executive Director’s communications plan.
  • Facilitate media and speaking opportunities, write and pitch op-eds (working closely with our Senior Editor and Writer), manage social media accounts and more.
  • Identify and respond quickly and effectively to breaking climate stories and weekly news cycle opportunities.
  • Define and deliver on long-term regional audience engagement goals.
  • Liaise with our Digital team to ensure content is shared optimally through all channels.
  • Develop compelling presentations for internal and external audiences.
  • Share key information across DSF departments and regions and in key relationships
  • Skilled copy-editor, as needed.
  • Attend meetings, conferences and events on behalf of DSF, as required.

Qualifications

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required

Education and Experience:

  • University or college degree in communications (or related field) with a minimum of 5-7+ years professional experience in a variety of aspects of communications, including Executive Director support.
  • Experience in non-profit, community or government communications role and working with diverse stakeholders including experience with Indigenous communities is an asset.
  • Media relations expert: working for media, getting earned media placed and or
  • responding to media requests effectively.
  • Proven writing ability to translate complex issues into simple narratives and messages for different and diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated success in strategic communications planning, objective setting and plan execution.

What You Bring to the Role:

  • Experienced communicator. You easily and successfully communicate about environmental and social justice issues for a variety of audiences, platforms and channels. Your write content that fits the scenario.
  • Efficient and effective. Able to create excellent communications at a moments notice.
  • Team player. You thrive in a busy, deadline-driven and information-rich workplace.
  • Resilient and flexible. You are a quick learner and a collaborative colleague who enjoys being part of a team and can work independently.
  • Committed and passionate about building a better world. You have the talent and heart to deliver and make impacts.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and quality while managing multiple projects. You are organized and care deeply about producing high quality work.
  • Excellent project management skills. Proven research skills. Used to content-driven deadlines.
  • Non-profit / charitable sector knowledge. You have experience working with non-profit networks and coalitions on shared goals (e.g. sign-on letters, court cases, news conferences). You’ve also worked with First Nations, local, regional and provincial governments.
  • Passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion with the ability to support purposeful change
  • Excellent written and spoken English language skills. French and other language skills are an asset. 

Additional Information

Additional Information

What You Get

  • 4-day work week.
  • Generous benefits package.
  • Amazing work culture with smart colleagues, working on the environmental issues of our time.
  • A chance to make an impact on the health of our planet.

Please submit your application, including your cover letter and resume, online at 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, members of visible minorities and persons with different abilities to apply.