Director, Strategic Communications

This role leads and operationalizes World Vision Canada’s strategic communications approach, serving as the primary editorial steward of its public voice and personally shaping clear, compelling messaging that establishes us as a bold and hopeful Christian voice for children.

Operating within Public Affairs & Voice, the role works in close partnership with Brand & Marketing, Programs & Partnerships, and the President’s Office to align messaging, shape public engagement and strengthen World Vision Canada’s visibility and credibility in public conversations.

This is a highly hands-on role requiring exceptional writing, editing and editorial judgement.

The role combines strategic leadership and hands‑on editorial ownership, co‑developing and stewarding narrative guardrails to guide World Vision Canada’s public voice across the organization, and shaping how that voice is expressed across campaigns, earned media, and leadership communications. This complements Brand & Marketing’s leadership of campaign execution, content, and creative.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications & Editorial Leadership

Act as the primary editorial steward of World Vision Canada’s public voice, ensuring clarity, consistency, and quality in high-profile communications

Partner with advocacy, policy, and program teams to shape clear, compelling public positioning

Personally develop core messaging that guides communications across the organization

Lead the direct writing and editing of key external communications, including executive voice, thought leadership, op-eds, speeches, narrative frameworks, and rapid response messaging

Work upstream of campaigns to shape top-line messaging and positioning, in close partnership with Brand & Marketing, who lead creative development and execution

Refine and operationalize an integrated communications approach across the organization

Earned Media & Thought Leadership

Set an earned media strategy for thought leadership, public positioning and issue engagement

Define core narrative and messaging that underpin media engagement

Shape thought leadership, including op-eds, commentary and media positioning

Partner closely with Media Relations to translate strategy into media outreach, pitching and coverage

Co‑develop and shape execution of CEO and senior leadership visibility in public conversations aligned with World Vision Canada’s priorities

Advise on messaging for external leadership communications and public engagement

Ensure consistency and clarity of voice across external leadership communications

Rapid Response & Issues Engagement

Define and guide prioritization of public engagement, identifying where World Vision Canada should lead, respond, or remain silent

Set direction for rapid response to emerging issues and media opportunities, with execution led by Media Relations within established frameworks and guardrails

Provide senior-level judgment on positioning in complex or high-risk public moments, in coordination with senior leadership

Coordinate aligned responses across teams

Systems & Performance

Build and strengthen communications systems, including messaging frameworks and rapid-response protocols

Co‑develop and track performance indicators related to share of voice, message pull‑through in public discourse and understanding of World Vision Canada

Qualifications

University degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, public policy, or related field

8–10+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, media, or related roles

Strong experience in earned media, thought leadership, and public positioning

Experience working in complex organizations with multiple stakeholders

Familiarity with international development, humanitarian issues, or public policy environments…