Sr. Specialist, Grants Communications & Recognition

Azrieli Foundation•Toronto, ON

25d•CA$80,000 - CA$95,000

About The Position

The Azrieli Foundation is one of the largest public philanthropic foundations in Canada, supporting initiatives in education, science & healthcare, research and the arts, across communities in Canada and Israel. Through innovative and strategic philanthropy, we strive to help people of all faiths, ages, backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential and drive positive change in their communities. We are seeking a Sr. Specialist, Grants Communications & Recognition to join our dynamic and collaborative communications team. The Sr. Specialist, Grants Communications & Recognition will play a pivotal role in connecting the grants portfolio with strategic communications, ensuring recognition commitments, grantee communications and impactful storytelling opportunities are coordinated, tracked and delivered consistently across a diverse national and international portfolio. Serving as the primary subject matter expert on grant-related communications, recognition, branding and acknowledgement requirements, this role is the central point of expertise for all communications activities within the grants ecosystem. Working collaboratively between the Grant Services and Communications teams, the Sr. Specialist, Grants Communications & Recognition provides guidance and oversight related to communications commitments embedded within grant agreements, champions opportunities to showcase impact and fosters strong relationships with grant managers, grantees, key stakeholders and external service providers. This highly collaborative role strengthens the connection between the Foundation's grantmaking activities and its broader communications strategy, helping to identify, elevate and amplify stories that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy across Canada. The Sr. Specialist, Grants Communications & Recognition ensures grant-related communications opportunities are strategically prioritized and supported in alignment with Foundation goals, brand standards and stakeholder expectations. Given the role's responsibility for grantee-facing communications, recognition activities, and coordination across Canada, the successful candidate must be able to work effectively in both English and French.

Requirements

Bilingualism (English and French) required
5+ years of experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, grants administration, philanthropy or a related field
Strong project management and coordination skills
Experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders
Excellent writing, editing and communications skills
Experience interpreting policies, agreements or compliance requirements
Experience working with databases, content management systems or grants management platforms
Highly organized, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Trustworthy, reliable and can exercise discretion and tact in difficult or confidential situations
A team player with strong interpersonal skills who can collaborate effectively with key stakeholders and leadership
Calm under pressure and can adapt quickly to changing priorities and circumstances
Outstanding people skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups and individuals, both internally and externally
A self-starter with a creative mindset and problem-solving capabilities, able to work independently and proactively

Responsibilities

Maintain grants portfolio visibility of communications and recognition activities
Monitor grant pipeline activity and identify upcoming communications and impact storytelling opportunities across the grants portfolio; work with the Grants team to develop and validate content
Develop and maintain communications and recognition calendars for grants activities
Coordinate major granting communications milestones, events, announcements and recognition activities
Advise Grants Teams on recognition/communications-related deliverables and obligations
Maintain centralized repository of grants-related communications materials and templates (e.g., standard communications and recognition language for grant agreements)
Review communications, branding and recognition requirements in new grant agreements and monitor compliance with those commitments.
Track and monitor recognition deliverables tied to high-value grants (e.g., naming rights, signage, website inclusion, social media, lectures, reports, press releases, conferences, annual reports)
Evaluate whether recognition commitments meet contractual thresholds and recommend resolutions to those that may not
Approve use of Foundation name and logo within established guardrails
Coordinate creation and approvals related to Grants communications and recognition across the Foundation (e.g., Grants, Communications, and Legal)
Draft recognition language and acknowledgment text
Serve as the primary communications contact for grantee communications
Serve as the primary communications advisor and point of contact for the Grants Team
Attend weekly Communications team meeting to ensure alignment with overall comms strategic goals & guidelines and to be aware of other activities occurring in other Foundation areas; meet 1:1 with Communications Director
Attend grants team meetings, grant services team meetings and identify communications-relevant milestones, events and impact stories to highlight to the communications team for inclusion in internal and external materials
Maintain proficiency in Fluxx and related grants systems platforms, including use of Finn and other AI-enabled tools to prepare grant summaries and communications briefing materials
Connect Grants Managers with communications resources and expertise as required
Coordinate communications support requests across internal Communications teams and external service providers
Facilitate access to specialized communications services, including design, translation, photography, videography, website updates, event materials and production support
Maintain visibility into communications requests, priorities and upcoming activities across the grants portfolio
Other communications-related tasks as required