Creative Writer

UNICEF Canada; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health coverage

Dental coverage

Healthcare Spending Account

Wellness Account

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Pension plan

Parental leave top-up

Vacation days (min 3 weeks)

Job summary

UNICEF Canada is seeking a Creative Writer (Senior Copywriter) to join The Playground, its in-house creative team. The role is based in Toronto with a fixed hybrid model requiring attendance in the office at least two days per week.

You will report to the Creative Director and collaborate across campaigns, writing high-impact copy that drives donations. The ideal candidate has a Journalism/Communications/Marketing degree, 3–5 years of copywriting experience, a strong portfolio, and knowledge of

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional copywriting experience.
• Portfolio demonstrating integrated campaigns and brand storytelling.
• Advanced understanding of brand strategy and consumer behaviour.
• Knowledge of SEO/SEM and data-informed content strategy.
• Experience presenting to senior stakeholders or clients.
• Familiarity with Canadian Press Style; bilingual English/French is a plus.
• Experience with AI-assisted creative tools for concept development.

Responsibilities

• Lead copy development across integrated campaigns, digital and social platforms, e-commerce, CRM, and branded content.
• Partner with Creative Director and Art Director to develop concepts and messaging.
• Translate business objectives and insights into creative ideas that drive awareness and donations.
• Write headlines, scripts, and conversion-focused content across formats.
• Review and approve copy for accuracy and brand consistency.

Skills

Copywriting

Portfolio presentation

Brand strategy

SEO/SEM knowledge

Public speaking

AI-assisted tools

Multichannel campaigns

Education

Journalism/Communications/English/Marketing degree

Tools

Asana

Job description

UNICEF Canada is one of 32 National Committees of UNICEF, the global organisation working across 190 countries to provide education, health, nutrition, clean water, and protection for children before, during, and after emergencies. The Canadian team exists to fundraise for UNICEF's highest priorities and to work with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well-being of children and youth.

The role

The Creative Writer (internally described as a Senior Copywriter) sits within The Playground, UNICEF Canada's in-house creative team. You would report to the Creative Director and work alongside an Art Director and cross-functional partners. The role covers both big-picture campaign ideation and precise, conversion-focused writing, with an expectation that you can mentor others and help maintain brand consistency across all channels.

What you would do

• Lead copy development across integrated marketing campaigns, digital and social platforms, e-commerce, CRM, and branded content.
• Partner with the Creative Director and Art Director to develop original creative concepts, campaign platforms, brand narratives, and messaging.
• Translate business objectives, consumer insights, and strategic briefs into creative ideas that build brand relevance and drive donations.
• Write high-impact headlines, scripts, campaign messaging, product storytelling, and conversion-focused content across a variety of formats and channels.
• Review, edit, and approve copy for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and alignment with brand standards before final stakeholder sign-off.
• Present creative concepts to internal stakeholders, articulate the strategic rationale behind ideas, and lead copy-related discussions.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a project management tool such as Asana, maintaining content archives and meeting deadlines.
• Participate in post-mortems, using data insights to refine messaging and optimize performance.
• Champion AI-enabled workflows and emerging tools that improve creative development and efficiency.

What they are looking for

• A diploma or degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of professional copywriting experience, preferably in a creative agency, with demonstrated work on integrated campaigns and digital content.
• An exceptional portfolio showing conceptual thinking, integrated campaign ideas, brand storytelling, and performance-driven copywriting (portfolio link required when applying).
• Advanced understanding of brand strategy, consumer behaviour, digital marketing, and the role of copy in driving awareness, engagement, and conversion.
• Knowledge of SEO/SEM best practices and how to use data to inform content strategy.
• Experience with premium global brands and maintaining consistent brand voice across complex, multi-channel campaigns.
• Confident presentation skills, including experience presenting to senior stakeholders or clients.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Familiarity with Canadian Press Style; bilingual English/French is an asset.
• Experience with non-profit, humanitarian, healthcare, or international aid organizations is a bonus.
• Experience with AI-assisted creative tools for concept development, copy optimization, and production workflows is preferred.

Working arrangements

The role is based in Toronto. UNICEF Canada operates a fixed hybrid model requiring attendance in the office at least two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Pay and benefits

The salary range is CAD 55,000 to CAD 62,000 annually. Benefits include extended health and dental coverage, a Healthcare Spending Account, a Wellness Account, life and long-term disability insurance, a 5% employer-matched group pension plan, and parental leave top-up. Vacation starts at a minimum of three weeks and increases with tenure, plus one additional day per year of service (up to 30 days total), 10 paid sick days, 2 personal days, and 8 employee wellness days. A GoodLife gym membership discount and access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program are also included.