Director of Corporate Communications

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage in Canada. We represent 350+ member companies working to advance the policies, regulations and market conditions that will power Canada’s clean energy future. Our work spans advocacy, research, events and member services, all in service of a more sustainable electricity system for Canada and future generations. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.

The Role

The Director of Corporate Communications leads the day-to-day work of CanREA’s corporate communications function, with primary responsibility for media relations, writing and editorial quality, and social and digital communications.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and Marketing, the Director turns CanREA’s strategic communications priorities into strong, timely and effective communications. The Director is a hands-on communications leader who works directly with media, writes and edits high-value public-facing content, oversees social and digital communications, and leads the corporate communications team.

The Director works closely with colleagues across CanREA, including policy, government affairs, membership, events and marketing, to ensure communications are coordinated, accurate and aligned with the Association’s priorities.

Location

Remote work from anywhere in Canada

Primary Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Lead CanREA’s day-to-day proactive and reactive media relations, ensuring timely, accurate and coordinated responses to media inquiries.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with national, regional and sector journalists, and identify opportunities to strengthen CanREA’s profile and influence through earned media.
• Develop and execute proactive media pitches and plans tied to CanREA’s policy, advocacy and organizational priorities.
• Monitor media coverage and emerging issues to identify communications opportunities and reputational risks, and provide timely advice to the Vice President and other leaders.
• Prepare key messages, briefing notes, backgrounders, media responses and other materials for interviews and public announcements.
• Coordinate media interviews and support CanREA spokespeople, including preparing and delivering media training as required.
• Maintain media contact information and ensure CanREA has effective processes for tracking media inquiries, coverage and results.
• Support issues and crisis communications in coordination with the Vice President.

Writing and Editorial Leadership

• Write and edit high-quality public-facing communications, including news releases, statements, reports, studies, opinion pieces, speeches, letters, media materials, web content, fact sheets and other communications products.
• Ensure CanREA’s communications are clear, concise, accurate, accessible and consistent with approved messages, editorial standards and organizational priorities.
• Provide strong editorial judgment and quality control across major communications products and platforms.
• Work with subject-matter experts to translate complex energy and policy issues into clear and compelling communications for public, media and stakeholder audiences.
• Maintain and apply CanREA’s editorial standards, style guidance, key messages and communications best practices.

Social Media and Digital Communications

• Lead the communications team’s social media planning and content, including editorial direction, content calendar, writing, review and performance assessment.
• Oversee communications content for CanREA’s website and e-newsletters, ensuring content is timely, useful and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to use digital storytelling, multimedia and emerging communications tools to increase the reach and impact of CanREA’s work.
• Use analytics and other measures to assess communications performance and improve content and channel effectiveness.

Communications Planning and Organizational Support

• Working with the Vice President, translate CanREA’s strategic communications and marketing plan into communications priorities, workplans and deliverables.
• Plan and lead communications support for major policy initiatives, reports, announcements, campaigns and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate closely with CanREA’s marketing function to ensure communications and marketing activities are aligned while maintaining clear functional responsibilities.
• Collaborate with policy, government affairs, membership, events and other teams to identify communications needs, opportunities and risks.
• Oversee bilingual corporate communications, including the translation process for public-facing materials, ensuring translations are timely, accurate, appropriate for French-language audiences and consistent with CanREA’s messaging, terminology and editorial standards.
• Support brand consistency across corporate communications and public-facing materials.
• Manage relevant communications suppliers, contracts and budget responsibilities as assigned.
• Lead the corporate communications team, establishing clear priorities, expectations and performance objectives.
• Manage work allocation, timelines and resources to ensure priorities are delivered effectively and deadlines are met.
• Coach and support team members, provide clear feedback and create opportunities for skills development and growth.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful and results-focused team culture.
• Work closely with the Vice President on team planning, performance management, recruitment and resource needs.
• Model CanREA’s values, policies and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Please note other duties may be assigned as needed to meet the evolving needs of the Association and its mandate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Media relations: Strong ability to manage and execute proactive and reactive media relations, including working directly with journalists under tight deadlines.
• Writing and editing: Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, concise and compelling communications.
• Digital and social media: Strong understanding of social media, website and e-newsletter communications, including content planning, execution and measurement.
• Bilingual communications: Ability to oversee translation workflows and quality control for French-language communications; fluency in French is an asset.
• Communications judgment: Sound judgment in assessing communications opportunities, issues and reputational risks, and in knowing when to seek senior guidance.
• Strategic thinking and execution: Ability to understand organizational priorities, translate strategy into practical communications plans and move effectively from planning to delivery.
• Project management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, contributors and deliverables in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaboration: Ability to work constructively with colleagues across functions and levels, including senior leaders and subject-matter experts.
• People leadership: Ability to set expectations, organize work, coach team members and build an effective and supportive team.

Education and Experience

• University degree, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and relevant experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Strong hands-on media relations experience, including direct experience responding to journalists and developing proactive earned-media opportunities.
• Demonstrated professional writing and editing experience, including producing high-quality materials to deadline.
• Experience with social media and digital communications, including website and e-newsletter content.
• Experience leading people, projects or teams; direct people-management experience is an asset.
• Experience working in a complex, issues-driven environment such as government, an association, public affairs, a non-profit organization or a regulated sector is an asset.
• Knowledge of the energy sector and/or energy and environment policy is an asset.
• Experience with a member association is an asset.
• Fluency in both English and French, written and spoken, is an asset.

Technical and Working Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and common web-based communications tools.
• Ability to travel approximately 5%-10% of the time, mainly within Canada.
• Ability to respond to time-sensitive communications and media issues when required.

AI at CanREA

At CanREA, we embrace AI as a tool to support smarter, more efficient ways of working, when used thoughtfully and responsibly. That said, people matter most. While AI may assist in drafting materials like this posting, we do not use AI to evaluate applicants. Every application is reviewed by members of our team to ensure a fair and human-centered hiring process.

Accessibility and Accommodation

CanREA is an equal-opportunity employer with policies and practices intended to build an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise as much on our application form, and all efforts to provide the appropriate accommodation will be put into place.