Director, Communications

United Way Greater Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

EFAP

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

United Way Greater Toronto is seeking a Director of Communications to lead media relations and executive communications, shaping the organization’s narrative on poverty in the GTA through data-driven storytelling.

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs & Research, you will develop an annual plan, guide a four-person team, and collaborate with marketing, policy, and senior leadership to advance UWGT’s mission.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of professional communications experience with strategic and corporate communications
• Political acumen and thought leadership to seize priority issues in media
• Love of community and passion for positive change aligned with our mission
• Support implementation of UWGT's Reconciliation and Equity Framework in action
• Strong knowledge of issues affecting the community social services sector
• Experience managing external and internal stakeholders, including media and government
• Strong leadership to motivate staff and foster collaboration
• Direct experience with CEO or executive leaders in communications
• Digital and social channels knowledge within an overall PR strategy
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and writing/interpersonal skills
• 3 days in office and ability to travel across the GTA

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations, corporate and executive communications across the organization
• Develop and oversee an enterprise-wide communications strategy and annual plan
• Partner with executive teams to align communications with business priorities
• Oversee media inquiries and amplify UWGT’s work externally
• Plan integrated marketing and communications with the Director of Marketing
• Lead research and messaging to ensure data-driven, audience-centered campaigns
• Collaborate with Public Policy to connect policy efforts to the brand
• Oversee executive speechwriting for the CEO and leaders
• Mentor a 4-person team and foster a culture of high performance
• Act as spokesperson as needed and manage risks with strategic counsel

Skills

Media relations

Executive communications

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Public affairs knowledge

Storytelling

Education

Post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing or political science

Job description

We are committed to pay transparency and equity. The hiring range for this role is $130,000- $140,000 annually.

United Way Greater Toronto is currently seeking a Director, Communications to join our team for an existing vacancy.

How you will make a difference:

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs & Research, the Director, Communications will lead and manage media relations, corporate, executive and key partner communications, and advise on issues management to position and advance United Way Greater Toronto's brand and mission to fight local poverty in all its forms through thought leadership and storytelling

• Develop an annual business plan for the Communications team. Oversee the development and implementation of a cohesive, enterprise-wide communications and public relations strategy, including media relations, to inspire greater engagement and relevance with stakeholders
• Work in close partnership with the Senior Executive Team and Senior Management Team in developing communications plans to meet the needs of UWGT's business priorities, including stewarding thought leadership opportunities
• Oversee and direct all media relations, including responding to media inquiries, and proactively working to amplify work across the organization
• Partner with the Director of Marketing & Donor Experience to plan and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies
• Lead positioning, audience insights, and market research initiatives to inform communications, marketing, and reputation strategies, ensuring messaging is data-driven, audience-centered, and aligned with reaching brand goals.
• Use brand and market research, research insights, stakeholder feedback, and audience analysis to develop evidence-based communications and marketing strategies that enhance awareness, trust, and community impact
• Partner with the Director of Public Policy & Public Affairs to connect and amplify UWGT's strategic public affairs and policy efforts with a broader audience, building an understanding of UWGT's impact architecture and stance on specific issues related to poverty in the GTA
• Oversee executive communications and speechwriting for the CEO and select Executives
• Oversee and lead the Communications functions of UWGT's Reconciliation and Equity Action Plan
• Actively follow current events, trends, news media, related organizations, governments, companies and leaders to understand changing demographics, emerging issues, politics, opportunities and challenges facing the community sector to best leverage UWGT's impact.
• Identify public relations risks to the organization and serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams across the organization, providing a high standard of strategic counsel, communications planning, through to execution
• Cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including partners from multiple sectors, media, and employees to ensure the highest level of thought leadership, performance and results
• Contribute as a member of the cross-organization Senior Management Team and participate in cross-functional teams to help realize organizational strategies and plans
• Serve as spokesperson to support areas noted above, as needed
• Manage, mentor, and develop a 4-person team using a supportive and collaborative approach
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality

What you bring to the role:

• 7-10 years of professional communications experience, including a successful track record of implementing strategic and corporate communications strategies, best practices and approaches, preferably in a charity, non-profit and/or social sector environment
• Possess political acumen and thought leadership to seize communications opportunities on UWGT priority issues in a variety of media
• A love of community, with a passion for creating positive change aligned to our mission
• Willingness to actively lead the implementation of UWGT's Reconciliation and Equity Framework, and translate anti-oppressive, and anti-racist learnings into action internally and externally
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting the community social services sector and a strong understanding of how systemic racism and discrimination impact community and the priorities related to United Way Greater Toronto's mission
• Experience managing and working with external and internal stakeholders, including understanding of and relationships with media, government, community, public, corporate and labour sectors
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate staff and work collaboratively in an inclusive and collaborative team environment
• Demonstrated experience working directly with CEO and/or Executive leaders in support of communications and public relations strategies
• Strong strategic and practical knowledge of the digital/social communications channels and their use within the context of an overall communications strategy and day-to-day public relations practice
• Excellent judgment, discretion, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, meet deadlines, problem solve in stressful situations and drive collaboration across multiple areas of the organization
• Detail- and process- oriented with a big-picture/strategic view
• Post-secondary degree in communications, journalism, marketing or political science preferred. Related fields will be considered
• Minimum requirement of 3 days in office and ability to travel across the GTA

Being part of our team:

• Defined benefit employer-matching pension
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Employee and family assistance program (EFAP)
• Generous paid time-off package including vacation, personal and cultural days, summer hours and hybrid work environment
• Commitment to the well-being and work-life balance for our employees
• Collaborative, high-performing, team focused on long-term and collective success
• Largest United Way world-wide
• Work with the GTA’s top philanthropic leaders

Please apply no later than November 2, 2026.

As part of our recruitment process, United Way Greater Toronto offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities. If we contact you about an opportunity, please let us know if you require accommodation.

UWGT is committed to the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). While we currently do not use AI for decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects, we may use analytics or automation tools to improve donor engagement, personalize experiences, or optimize internal processes.

As per our recruitment policy, internal candidates are encouraged to let their current manager know that they have applied for another role.

About United Way Greater Toronto:

As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way’s network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way’s work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges.

Diversity & Inclusion:

United Way is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects our diverse community to ensure we’re best equipped to serve it. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and those who may need accommodation to apply to join our team. Our commitment to excellence in diversity goes beyond promoting equity. By incorporating a variety of experiences and perspectives, we create opportunities for innovative solutions and maximize the impact of our work.