Join one of Canada’s leading environmental justice organizations and become an agent of change.

About the David Suzuki Foundation

The David Suzuki Foundation is strongly committed to equity and diversity and to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially encourage applications from Equity-deserving groups; specifically, Indigenous and racialised people, members of the LGBQTI+, Trans and gender-diverse, women, persons with disability, chronic illness and neurodiversity.

The David Suzuki Foundation empowers people, using multiple approaches, such as research, policy, advocacy and education; to take-action in their communities on the environmental crisis we face.

The founders of the DSF started the organisation with the belief that diversity and difference was crucial to finding solutions to environmental challenges and for survival.  They also recognized that everything is interconnected and interdependent, and that environment and climate cannot be separated from social injustice and inequity. 30 years later, in the midst of a global pandemic we realize that these founding principles are even more relevant than ever.  The current dominant worldview is leading to our demise and we need alternative worldviews, we need diversity and difference to find sustainable solutions.

At DSF we realize that in order to benefit from diversity we need to do more, we need to be inclusive and anti-racist and so the DSF made a public commitment to anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).  We recognize that decolonizing and EDI are an essential part of progressive leadership and fundamental to the environmental and climate crisis we face. Furthermore, as a Canadian settler organisation focused on lands and waters, we must work in solidarity and partnership with Indigenous people.  This commitment is reflected in the transforming journey we have started to embed diversity, equity and inclusion, to decolonize and be an anti-racist organization.

We share this to invite those that want to join us on this journey, as we transform ourselves in order to transform our world, to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life now and for the future.  Are you interested in working towards a socially and environmentally just world?  Do you believe that the issues and solutions are interconnected, and that diversity of identities, lived experiences and worldviews are key to our creativity and survival?

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

Job Description

Position Title: Senior Communications Specialist, Climate & ED Support (Executive Director)

Terms: Full-time (34 hours/ 4-day week) 2-year term

Salary: 65-75K, based on experience

Location: Based out of our Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal offices, with remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic

Reporting to: Director, Communications & the 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?

The Role

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).

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.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required

• 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 moment's 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.

Benefits of Working at DSF

• 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.

• 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. 

Application Process 

Please submit your cover letter, and resume online at https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/.

DSF is committed to supporting candidates to fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please so indicate in your cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. The position will remain open until filled.