Communications and Public Relations Senior Manager

Action Against Hunger Canada•Toronto, ON

2d•CA$85,000 - CA$95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications and Public Relations Senior Manager is responsible for Action Against Hunger Canada’s external communications, media relations, and public visibility. This role translates technical and program expertise into trust and an elevated profile among high-net-worth individuals, donors, media, the Government of Canada, and the public. The position manages the end-to-end execution of the organization’s communications and supports its advocacy, fundraising, and business development efforts by producing impactful content grounded in strong storytelling, sound strategic thinking, exceptional writing, and the ability to translate technical content into clear, plain-language communications. The role also leads digital and social media strategy, supervises the Digital Marketing Officer, and ensures earned, owned, and paid channels work together to drive visibility and donor engagement.

Requirements

Minimum 8 to 10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, or media relations, with at least 3 years in a senior or management-level role.
Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, or related field; graduate-level credential an asset.
Demonstrated track record of Canadian media placements across national broadcast, print, digital, and sector or trade outlets, with existing journalist and editor relationships.
Experience advising and preparing C-suite or executive leadership for media interviews, op-eds, and thought leadership platforms.
Demonstrated ability working with reporters on background, with an editorial or journalism background considered an asset.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Exceptional writing skills across formats: press releases, op-eds, executive briefings, donor communications, web, newsletter, and social copy.
Strong organic and paid social media fluency, including platform strategy, content planning, performance measurement, and emerging formats.
Working knowledge of digital marketing tools and analytics, including Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, email marketing platforms (Mailchimp), website CMS and integration with CRM platforms.
Sound editorial judgment and the ability to translate technical, programmatic, or research content into accessible public-facing narratives.
Comfort operating under multiple stakeholder approval layers, including global network alignment and federal funder compliance requirements.
Sound judgment in fast-moving, reputationally sensitive moments; calm under deadline and on-the-record pressure.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Demonstrated understanding of the creation of an enabling environment for gender equality and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in the workplace and in programming.
Demonstrated commitment to Action Against Hunger’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a humanitarian, development, or social impact organization or public affairs practice will be considered a strong asset.
Familiarity with Global Affairs Canada-funded programming and compliance will be considered an asset.
Fluency in French will be considered a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Shape and implement Action Against Hunger Canada’s communications and brand strategy.
Develop and execute Action Against Hunger Canada’s external communications and public relations strategy.
Build and maintain strong relationships with Canadian media, editors, and influencers, bringing established relationships with national, sector, and trade journalists into the role.
Develop and execute a proactive earned media strategy and pitching cadence, as well as identify and act on rapid-response media opportunities.
Coordinate CEO engagement with policymakers, partners, and media in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Support the CEO’s participation in external events, media opportunities, and sector fora.
Shape and pitch stories that position Action Against Hunger Canada as a credible, relevant, and donor-worthy organization and a partner.
Serve as a senior media liaison and support spokesperson development, including briefing leadership and identifying, training, and preparing additional Canada-based subject matter experts to expand the spokesperson bench.
Serve as the organization's primary media point of contact during crises, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent messaging in alignment with established crisis management protocols.
Manage agencies and freelancers as required.
Work closely with Action Against Hunger Canada and its International Network Programs, Technical, and Advocacy colleagues to translate priorities into accessible public narratives and identify moments with high visibility or donor engagement potential.
Lead the development of CEO briefings, speeches, and external messaging by synthesizing policy and technical inputs from relevant colleagues.
Strengthen alignment between advocacy and communications initiatives to amplify Action Against Hunger Canada’s positioning on hunger, crises, gender, climate, and nutrition.
Ensure impact and programmatic content is repurposed into media stories, campaign messaging, and other donor, Government of Canada, and general public-relevant content, including cultivation and stewardship assets.
Support public-facing visibility and advocacy moments, both as a spokesperson and by enabling other knowledge holders to represent the organization.
Monitor external policy developments and identify communications or visibility opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
Align programmatic and advocacy communications with fundraising objectives, brand positioning, and reputational considerations – supporting Action Against Hunger Canada’s objective in becoming one of the go-to Nutrition, Food Security, and Humanitarian organizations.
Act as the day-to-day communications lead for fundraising.
Ensure all external communications support key stakeholder engagement and donor retention, acquisition, and cultivation.
Design, execute, and oversee comms campaign performance, including alignment between digital fundraising communications and marketing.
Provide leadership and work in close collaboration with the Digital Marketing Officer to ensure the successful cross-channel execution of digital fundraising initiatives.
Translate fundraising strategy into clear messaging frameworks and donor journeys.
Oversee the development of high-quality external content, including campaign messaging, donor communications, website and social media content, and leadership ghostwriting, applying strong editorial judgment.
Own social media strategy and the editorial calendar across organic and paid channels, working in close collaboration with the Digital Marketing Officer on execution and performance.
Support the development and execution of the CEO’s thought leadership and external engagement materials on priority organizational issues.
Support leadership communications and public engagement activities, including speeches, events, and thought leadership content.
Draft briefing notes, key messages, and external communications materials for the CEO in coordination with relevant colleagues.
Support leadership to implement the communications and visibility aspects of the Advocacy Strategy.
Develop and deliver periodic brand compliance training for staff in accordance with the organization’s Brand Guidelines to ensure consistent, quality messaging across all channels.
Own communications prioritization and intake, and protect focus on high-impact external work.