Director, Faith Community Engagement

Collage; Hamilton, Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH one day per week

Office in Hamilton and Ottawa

Job summary

Cardus is a non-partisan think tank focused on clarifying how faith and public life intersect in Canada. The External Affairs role centers on building a national network of faith leaders, engaging with denominations and faith communities, and representing Cardus in public dialogue.

You will design and implement relationship-building strategies, host events, and contribute to fundraising efforts while working across Cardus to expand our reach and influence.

Qualifications

• Experience building networks with faith leaders and organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences.
• Ability to plan and host events and initiatives that connect researchers with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a strategy for building and strengthening a network of faith leaders connected with Cardus.
• Build and maintain relationships with leaders of Christian denominations, networks, and organizations.
• Plan and host events and initiatives that engage faith leaders and connect them with Cardus’s research, policy, and ideas.
• Communicate regularly with faith leaders through Cardus newsletters and other channels.
• Develop understanding of Cardus’s research, policy, and event content to identify stakeholders.
• Maintain a public presence as a commentator on faith, religion, and freedom of conscience across media.
• Support Cardus’s fundraising activities by engaging donors with the VP of Philanthropy.
• Collaborate across Cardus to strengthen reach and influence among decision-influencers.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public communication

Event planning

Networking

Project management

Public commentary

Job description

External Affairs Full Time Ontario $75,000 - $100,000 CAD per year

Cardus is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.

Drawing on 2,000 years of Christian social thought, we bring credible public research to bear on concrete needs. We place particular emphasis on the role of civil society, which is composed of the mediating institutions that lie between the individual and the state, such as the family, the school, labour unions, and faith congregations.

Cardus is strongly team-oriented and entrepreneurial, with a culture that emphasizes hospitality, hopefulness, creativity, and constructive discussion. Our staff are skilled and knowledgeable people who love working together to further the Cardus mission.

You are an experienced relationship-builder and public communicator who is energized by big ideas, constructive dialogue, and the role of faith in Canadian public life. You understand how influence works and have a gift for building and strengthening overlapping networks of people and organizations.

You bring a deep understanding of Cardus’s way of thought, research, policy, and event content, and can identify the faith leaders and organizations with whom Cardus should be in conversation. You are comfortable engaging leaders of Christian denominations, networks, and organizations, as well as leaders in other faith communities.

You are friendly and engaging, with the professionalism to represent Cardus well in a variety of settings. You are self-organizing, skilled at managing projects and relationships, and comfortable serving as a public commentator on matters of faith, religion, and freedom of religion and conscience.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement a strategy for building and continuously strengthening a network of faith leaders connected with Cardus, with the purpose of sharing information and strategically advancing the full inclusion of constructive religious voices in the Canadian public square.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with leaders of Christian denominations, networks, and organizations, as well as leaders in other faith communities.
• Plan and host events and initiatives that engage faith leaders and connect them with Cardus’s research, policy, and ideas.
• Communicate regularly with faith leaders through Cardus newsletters and other appropriate channels, ensuring that relationships remain active and mutually beneficial.
• Develop a strong understanding of Cardus’s research, policy, and event content to identify relevant stakeholders and create connections with individuals and organizations that further Cardus’s objectives.
• Maintain a regular presence as a public commentator on matters of public faith, religion, and freedom of religion and conscience through op-eds, radio, television, podcasts, and other media.
• Support Cardus’s fundraising activities by engaging donors in collaboration with the VP of Philanthropy.
• Work collaboratively across Cardus to strengthen the organization’s reach and influence among decision-influencers and publicly minded faith leaders.

Key Attributes

• Strong initiative and leadership skills, with a demonstrated understanding of how influence works and how to strengthen overlapping networks.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with a friendly and engaging demeanour and a high degree of professionalism. Embodies Cardus’s core values of hospitality and excellence.
• A deep understanding of and alignment with Cardus’s mission, way of thought, research, policy, and event content.
• Ability to identify appropriate stakeholders and develop connections with individuals and organizations that advance Cardus’s objectives.
• Experience and ease serving as a public commentator, with the ability to communicate effectively across written, broadcast, podcast, and other public platforms.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and follow through on commitments.
• A demonstrated ability to engage thoughtfully and constructively with leaders across faith communities.

Hours, Location, and Salary

This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and works at one of our beautiful offices, located in Hamilton and in Ottawa. Cardus permits work-from-home one day a week; the other four days will be in the office. Frequent travel is required. Salary range $75,000 – $100,000 per annum.

Language(s)

English essential. English-French bilingualism is a significant asset.