Associate Director Communications and Marketing

Canadian Race Relations Foundation; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 97,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A national foundation in Canada is seeking an Associate Director of Communications and Marketing, responsible for leading a team and developing a proactive media strategy. The ideal candidate must be fluent in both French and English, with at least 3 years of media relations experience, and possess strong leadership skills. This hybrid position offers a competitive salary and benefits. Applications are due by February 4, 2026 and short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews via Zoom.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Four weeks of vacation

RRSP contributions

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in media relations, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising staff and managing projects.
• Skilled in risk communication and managing public narratives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a proactive media relations strategy.
• Lead a team of Communications Managers and oversee their work.
• Support the Director in strategic planning and compliance activities.
• Act as the organization's primary spokesperson.

Skills

Fluency in French

Fluency in English

Risk communication

Project management

Media relations

Political acuity

Public speaking

Collaboration

Community engagement

Diversity and inclusion advocacy

Education

Undergraduate degree in journalism, communications, or related field

Tools

Microsoft SharePoint

Zoom

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION | Associate Director, Communications and Marketing (Bilingual) – The Canadian Race Relations Foundation

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) was created in 1996 to reaffirm the principles of justice and equality for all in Canada. The CRRF's mandate is to facilitate throughout Canada the development, sharing, and application of knowledge and expertise to eliminate racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canadian society.

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Marketing, the Associate Director is a senior communications leader responsible for developing and implementing a bold and proactive media relations strategy and acting as the organization’s primary spokesperson. Leading a team of Communications Managers, the Associate Director provides leadership in project management, guiding strategic communications initiatives from concept to completion. As a trusted advisor, the Associate Director provides expert guidance on sensitive issues and risk management, while also offering strategic and operational support to the Director.

Position Summary

• Job title: Associate Director, Communications and Marketing
• Job classification: Non-unionized
• Employment Status: Two-year full-time salaried contract
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Willingness and ability to travel: to attend meetings and events during early mornings, evenings, and weekends, as required.
• Work location: Hybrid working setting, regular in-person meetings. Must be able to work on Eastern Time; candidates in Toronto, Montreal, or Ottawa will be considered.
• Salary: $97,000 – $105,000 per annum. CRRF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including four weeks of vacation, dental, extended health care benefits, life insurance, and 4% of annual income towards RRSP plan.
• Probationary Period: 6 months

Strategic and Operational Support:

• Support the Director in developing and executing integrated marketing, communications, and public relations strategies to build trust and engagement with communities, partners, media, public institutions, and all levels of government.
• Oversee staffing for a team of three Communications Managers and external consultants, ensuring effective resource allocation and alignment with communication goals.
• Lead and supervise the team, managing workflows, providing strategic direction, and fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Support the Director with strategic planning, budgeting, reporting and compliance activities.
• Support the development of policies, procedures and guidelines for the department.

Media Relations:

• Develop and implement a bold and proactive media relations strategy to enhance visibility, build trust, and maintain effective media networks.
• Act as the organization’s primary spokesperson for press conferences and major announcements.
• In consultation with the Director, shape the organization’s public narrative and positioning across regions, and provide leadership on sensitive communications and risk management.
• Organize media engagement and respond to media inquiries and public requests.
• Advise the Director and Executive Director on sensitive issues and provide timely advice.
• Supervise internal media management systems and a media contacts database in compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., Privacy, Anti-Spam).
• Measure and report on key performance indicators and success of media relations.

Content Production:

• Supervise the development of general content and public-facing communications, including speechwriting and preparation of key materials for leadership, seeking approval from the Director on final messaging.
• Ensure all communications reflect the philosophy, mission and vision of the Foundation.
• Ensure brand consistency and quality control across all communication channels, including digital, print, and multimedia assets.

Project Management:

• Oversee and optimize project plans, including scope, deliverables, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives for project management.
• Oversee strategic communications projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including internal departments, external vendors, and creative partners, to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Oversee budgets and contracts related to communications projects, ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with procurement policies.
• Track and report on performance metrics, providing insights and recommendations to optimize future communications planning and delivery.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, college diploma or certificate in journalism, communications, public relations, or related field – or equivalent experience. Training in race relations, anti-racism, community building and engagement and project management is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing, implementing and leading media relations, ideally in the public, not-for-profit or association sector.
• Experience and/or familiarity with Crown corporation operational environment is an asset.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising staff, including managing projects. Experience managing unionized teams is an asset.
• Experience as a public-facing spokesperson with a strong media presence and the ability to represent the organization with professionalism, clarity and care.
• Skilled in risk communication and navigating complex public narratives.
• Advanced political acuity and knowledge of public policy and legislative issues related to systemic and episodic discrimination, race relations, prejudice and hate crime in Canada.
• Ability to support changing and urgent priorities and to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Fluency in French and English (spoken and written) is essential.
• Proficiency with Microsoft SharePoint (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and other digital, design and project management tools.
• Comfort using Zoom and similar platforms for hosting online meetings and events.
• Passion for anti-racism work and demonstrated understanding of challenges and opportunities in Canada.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter and résumé by February 4, 2026.

Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application process.

Proof of eligibility to work in Canada, education, and three professional references from your previous supervisor and coworkers will be requested if you are considered for the position.

Interviews will be held via Zoom. While all applications are appreciated and will be handled in the strictest confidence, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CRRF may cancel, postpone, or revise employment opportunities at any time.

CRRF values diversity and is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and cross-cultural sensitivity. We encourage applications from Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities.

We accommodate people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Please indicate your need for accommodation in your application.

DESCRIPTION DUE POSTE | Directrice adjointe ou directeur adjoint, communications et marketing (bilingue) – La Fondation canadienne des relations raciales

La Fondation canadienne des relations raciales (FCRR) a été créée en 1996 pour réaffirmer les principes de justice et d’égalité pour tous au Canada. La Fondation a pour mission de faciliter, dans l’ensemble du pays, le développement, le partage et la mise en œuvre de toute connaissance ou compétence utile en vue de contribuer à l’élimination du racisme et de toute forme de discrimination raciale au Canada.

Relevant de la directrice ou du directeur des communications et du marketing, le poste de directrice adjointe ou directeur adjoint est un poste de cadre dirigeant pour une personne chevronnée en communications. Elle sera chargée de l’élaboration et de la mise en œuvre d’une stratégie audacieuse et proactive de relations avec les médias, et agira en tant que porte-parole principal de l’organisme.

À la tête d’une équipe de gestionnaires des communications, la directrice adjointe ou le directeur adjoint assure un rôle de leadership en matière de gestion de projet, proposant les initiatives stratégiques de communication depuis leur conception jusqu’à leur réalisation. En tant que conseiller de confiance, la directrice adjointe ou le directeur adjoint donne des conseils d’expert sur les questions délicates et la gestion des risques, tout en offrant un soutien stratégique et opérationnel à la directrice ou au directeur.