Job Description

Reports to

: Chief Executive Officer

Duration

: Indeterminate

Location

: Ottawa, ON (hybrid)

Who We Are

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, conducting research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and advocating for effective wildlife policy and regulation, CWF strives for a future in which Canada's wildlife is conserved for generations to come.


Diversity is a fundamental part of our core values; we create every opportunity to become more inclusive. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities, including but not limited to, Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women in non-traditional roles.

Position Overview

CWF is seeking a bold, visionary, and strategic Director of Marketing and Communications to lead our national communications and marketing portfolio with enterprise-wide impact. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for shaping CWF's public voice, brand reputation, and strategic messaging across all platforms.


The Director will lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that elevate CWF's national presence, deepen stakeholder engagement, and drive conservation outcomes. A core focus of this role is leveraging behaviour change communications to influence public attitudes and actions in support of wildlife and habitat protection.


As a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, the Director will champion a culture of storytelling, guide strategic public engagement, and lead a high-performing team in delivering innovative, mission-driven communications.


As a national organization, the ideal candidate will be fluently bilingual in English and French.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational & Strategic Leadership:

Leads the strategic development and implementation of CWF's marketing and communications department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Provides guidance and leadership to staff to maintain CWF brand integrity across all marketing and communications channels. Liaises with internal departments to ensure all marketing and communications efforts align with organizational goals, ensuring appropriate messaging, coordination, and timing. Manages project milestones, budgets, and financial operations of the department. Monitors and evaluates departmental KPIs to inform strategies, plans, and objectives. Provides guidance and advice to the organization on social and behavior change communications to enhance education and conservation outcomes.
Media Relations & Content Creation:

Monitors and addresses reputational risks, implementing strategies to mitigate issues. Develops and maintains strong relationships with media outlets, industry influencers, and external stakeholders to secure positive media coverage and enhance CWF's public image. Oversees the planning and creation of high-quality and engaging content across CWF's various communications channels. Writes and edits promotional content including articles, press releases, key messages, and campaigns. Manages and enhances CWF's brand image and reputation through effective messaging, positioning, and promotional initiatives.
Staff Management & Development:

Leads, manages, and oversees the activities of all Marketing and Communications staff. Oversees and manages performance evaluations, training, and hiring needs. Inspires and motivates team members to foster a collaborative work environment and achieve departmental goals. Ensures staff compliance with internal organizational policies and practices, facilitating collaboration to improve policies as needed.

Education, Experience, and Abilities

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, marketing, or public relations, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role. Ability to communicate in English is required. Priority will be given to candidates who are fluently bilingual in English and French. Proven success in leading integrated communications strategies and managing high-performing teams. Experience in media relations, crisis communication, and brand management. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills across platforms. Knowledge of social and behaviour change communications is a strong asset. Demonstrated ability to manage departmental budgets and allocate resources effectively. Efficient working proficiency with Microsoft products including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams. Passion for wildlife conservation and environmental education is highly desirable.

Work Conditions

Full-time indeterminate position. Typically working Monday through Friday for 37.5 hours per week. Availability after-hours may be required from time to time, such as urgent situations. Location: Based out of CWF's Head Office in Ottawa, ON (Kanata), with hybrid flexibility to work-from-home two consecutive days per week. Salary will be determined based on experience and internal parity. Frequent sitting at a computer and use of peripherals. May experience mental stress from managing conflicting demands from multiple work projects, activities, and teams, and handling unpredictable or time-sensitive plans.

Why Work With Us?

Join a team of passionate individuals dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation. Friendly and casual work environment. Office located in the quiet suburbs of Kanata which includes a kitchen lounge, living plant wall, and outdoor demonstration gardens. Expand your professional network within science, education, and fundraising sectors. We are committed to building a diverse workforce. We offer a competitive benefits plan at no cost to employees which include health, dental, vision, and LTD. Enrollment to Employee Assistance Program. We offer Group RSP enrollment with up to 5% matching. 13 paid stat holidays per year. Generous time-off policies include paid vacation days, sick days, float days, and appointment time. Complimentary subscription to Canadian Wildlifemagazine.

Application Deadline

: November 14, 2025

How to Apply

: Interested candidates are instructed to submit a cover letter and resume. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in the Canadian Wildlife Federation!