Communications & Member Engagement Manager

The Lawson Foundation is looking for a Communications & Member Engagement Manager to help us tell our story in clear, creative, and grounded ways — and to keep our members deeply connected to the work. If you love translating complex ideas into accessible and engaging messages, enjoy juggling strategy and hands-on execution, care about building relationships across a multi-generational circle of people and want to contribute to a philanthropic organization focused on long-term impact, keep reading.

About us

The Lawson Foundation is a Canadian family foundation that invests in and engages with ideas, people, and organizations that support the healthy development and wellbeing of children and youth in Canada. We focus our granting, convening, advocacy, and impact investing on work that strengthens early child development and child care, advances Indigenous-led approaches to diabetes prevention, and equips young people to lead on climate action and connection to nature. Across everything we do, we’re guided by three lenses — connection to nature, reconciliation & reciprocity, and mental health — and we try to show up as flexible, relationship-centred partners who are in it for the long haul.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you’ll lead the Foundation’s communications strategy and manage how we engage with our membership (over 100 people, including Lawson family members and invited community members). A big part of that work is building stronger connections with the 5th Generation — the youngest generation of the Lawson family and future stewards of the Foundation.

This role blends big-picture thinking and day-to-day doing. One minute you might be mapping out an annual communications strategy, and the next you’re drafting a member newsletter, shaping a story about a partner, or pulling together content for a policy opportunity. You’ll work closely with program and operations colleagues to make sure our communications are consistent, thoughtful, and aligned with our mission.

What you’ll be doing

Strategic communications

• Build, implement, and keep refining a communications strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission, strategic direction, and guiding lenses.
• Share and celebrate Foundation milestones and multi-generational impact through storytelling, visual content, and special anniversary communications.
• Keep our voice clear and consistent across all channels — including website, social media, newsletters, reports, and convening activities.
• Support the President & CEO, COO, and Program Directors with communications related to impact areas, learning and exploration work, partnerships, and advocacy.
• Maintain brand guidelines and a shared glossary, and make sure everything we publish feels aligned and on-brand.
• Lead production of annual and special reports, publications, and multimedia assets (graphics, videos, presentations, etc.).
• Track communications metrics and use what you learn to improve reach and engagement over time.

Public policy & sector communications

• Work with the team to amplify our public policy and advocacy priorities through timely, accessible communications.
• Support development of op-eds, statements, briefing notes, and website content as needed to advance thought leadership and policy goals.
• Monitor media and sector trends to spot opportunities for the Foundation to contribute meaningfully — and to help elevate grantee and partner voices.

Member engagement

• Create and lead a proactive member engagement plan that strengthens connection, participation, and communication across our membership.
• Lead initiatives that deepen engagement with 5th Generation members, helping younger family members build their connection to philanthropy and the Foundation’s work through relevant experiences.
• Manage member communications, including newsletters, AGM materials, invitations, event updates, and regular touchpoints.
• Maintain member contact records and engagement tracking systems, working closely with the Operations & Governance Coordinator.

Other good stuff

• Pitch in on Foundation-wide projects as opportunities arise.
• Participate in peer learning, networking, and relevant professional associations.
• Keep building your own skills and knowledge in ways that support the role and the Foundation’s mission.

What we’re looking for

Experience

• Post-secondary degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field — or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of strategic communications experience, ideally in the charitable, philanthropic, or nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated success creating and delivering multi-channel communications strategies (web, social, print, events).
• Experience managing member, stakeholder, donor, or community engagement communications.
• Familiarity with public policy communications or sector advocacy is an asset.
• Comfort using digital tools, content management systems, and social media analytics.

Skills & strengths

• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills — with a strong feel for tone, clarity, and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal instincts and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to translate complex information into accessible, engaging messages for different audiences.
• Solid project management ability: organized, deadline-aware, and calm with multiple moving pieces.
• Creative, proactive, detail-oriented, and open to experimenting with new formats and approaches.
• Tech-savvy with digital platforms, CRM systems, and design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe, WordPress, Mailchimp, etc.).
• Comfortable designing engagement approaches for different generations, including younger family members who are still growing their relationship to philanthropy.
• Demonstrated commitment to reconciliation and equity through lived experience, personal learning, community involvement, or relevant professional work.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is a strong asset.
• Able to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team culture.

Location & working style

Our office is at Foundation House in Toronto, and we get together there in person from time to time. This is a hybrid role open to candidates anywhere in Canada. Expect a mix of mostly remote work and periodic in-person meetings or events (usually in Toronto), plus occasional travel for convenings or partner meetings (anywhere in Canada).

Compensation

Salary range: $100,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience, plus a generous allocation for pension and benefits.

How to apply

Send us your resume plus a cover letter that shares:

• why this role interests you, and
• how your experience connects to the work.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Amanda Mayer (amayer@lawson.ca) by 5 pm ET on January 16, 2026. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Lawson Foundation is committed to equitable hiring and a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and able to do their best work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and lived experiences.