Director of Communications & External Relations

Director of Communications & External Relations

Join the CIVIX Team and help enhance civic education in Canada

CIVIX is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Communications & External Relations to join our team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the public profile and future growth of a national charity that engages hundreds of thousands of students and educators each year. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, you will lead organizational communications, strengthen relationships with key partners and stakeholders, represent CIVIX in public forums, and help identify opportunities to expand the organization's reach, influence, and impact.

This role is ideal for a strong communicator and relationship-builder who is passionate about education, democracy, and public engagement.

About CIVIX

CIVIX is a national charity dedicated to building the habits of active and informed citizenship among school-aged youth. Our programs provide hands-on learning experiences that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to participate in democracy. CIVIX programming focuses on elections (Student Vote), youth consultations, elected representatives, parliamentary simulations, civic discourse, and digital media literacy.

Each year, CIVIX programs engage hundreds of thousands of students and educators in schools across Canada.

What You'll Do

Communications & Public Relations

• Develop and implement organizational communications strategies that strengthen awareness of CIVIX and its impact.
• Lead the creation of organizational communications materials, including annual reports, impact reports, newsletters, presentations, website content, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, branding, and storytelling across all communications channels.
• Support media relations and identify opportunities to elevate CIVIX's profile through traditional media, digital platforms, conferences, partnerships, and public events.
• Work closely with program staff to communicate the impact of CIVIX initiatives through compelling stories, data, research findings, and participant experiences.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with foundations, government agencies, election school boards, educators, researchers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent CIVIX at meetings, conferences, events, and partner engagements across Canada.
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships that advance CIVIX's mission and expand the reach of its programs.
• Work closely with the CEO to steward relationships with current and prospective funders, partners, and supporters.
• Support the development of proposals, reports, sponsorship opportunities, partnership agreements, and other external-facing materials.

Public Engagement

• Represent CIVIX in media interviews, podcasts, conferences, and panel discussions.
• Identify opportunities for CIVIX to contribute to public conversations related to civic education, democracy, youth engagement, digital media literacy, and citizenship.
• Build relationships with journalists, commentators, policymakers, researchers, and sector leaders.
• Help position CIVIX as a leading voice on civic education and democratic engagement in Canada.

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to organizational planning and decision-making as a member of the leadership team.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the reach, sustainability, and impact of CIVIX programming.
• Monitor trends and developments in education, philanthropy, civic engagement, public policy, and charitable giving that may affect the organization's work.
• Support Board communications, presentations, reporting, and strategic planning activities as required.

Who You Are

This role is ideal for an experienced communications, public affairs, stakeholder relations, partnership development, or non-profit professional who is passionate about education, democracy, and public engagement.

• Strategic Communicator – You can translate complex ideas, evidence, and impact into compelling stories and messages for a variety of audiences.
• Relationship Builder – You enjoy connecting with people and developing meaningful partnerships that create long-term value.
• Public Representative – You are comfortable speaking publicly, engaging with media, facilitating discussions, and representing an organization in external settings.
• Connector & Collaborator – You thrive in collaborative environments and are skilled at bringing people together around a common purpose.
• Strong Writer – You have exceptional writing and editing skills and can produce high-quality communications materials with confidence.
• Organized & Results-Oriented – You can manage multiple priorities simultaneously and follow projects through to completion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in communications, public affairs, stakeholder relations, partnership development, non-profit leadership, or a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Experience developing communications strategies and managing organizational communications initiatives.
• Experience preparing proposals, reports, partnership materials, grant applications, sponsorship packages, or similar external-facing documents.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson or representing an organization publicly is considered an asset.
• Experience in the charitable, education, public, philanthropic, media, or public affairs sectors is considered an asset.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is considered a strong asset.

Note: Due to the nature of CIVIX's work, employees must remain non-partisan. Relevant political activities or affiliations should be disclosed during the interview process.

The Role & Perks

Term: Full-time, permanent

Location: Toronto-based, hybrid work environment

Hours: 35–40 hours per week

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience

Benefits: Health benefits, flexible scheduling, and the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization with national reach and impact.

To Apply

Send your cover letter, resume, and three references as a single PDF attachment to hiring@civix.ca with the subject line “Director of Communications & External Relations.”

The deadline for applications is July 3.

CIVIX is committed to an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you require accommodations at any stage, please let us know.

Join us in helping young Canadians develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate in democracy.