Director, Communications/

Join us!

We’re passionate about making progress on climate action and committed to making a positive difference in communities. Keen to join a caring, capable, and committed team doing great work on the path to net zero?

Please apply with a COVER LETTER and RESUME. To do so on the Indeed platform, please combine your resume and cover letter files and upload them as a combined file in the section where the platform requests that you upload your resume).

About the Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Centre

Seeded by a $21.7 million federal endowment in 2021, the Zero Emission Innovation Centre (ZEIC) is a purpose-built charitable organization dedicated to market transformation and enabling zero carbon communities and economies across the region and province. ZEIC is part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Network established by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

ZEIC’s vision is that, together, we enable a new era of climate action and innovation for an inclusive, prosperous, and healthy zero carbon future in our region by 2050. We advance urban climate solutions in the green building, transportation, and renewable energy sectors through: 1) partnerships and collaborations; 2) impact investment; 3) granting; and 4) education, training, and capacity-building.

Working with governments, Indigenous partners, industry, and others, we support ambitious climate policy, address barriers, and catalyze, accelerate, and scale innovation to strengthen equitable and resilient communities for current and future generations. To deliver impact, we:

· Connect and activate partners, investors, and action-takers;

· Demonstrate and showcase viable solutions; and

· Invest in capacity building and readiness to scale climate actions.

ZEIC’s strategic directions align with provincial, regional, and local climate action plans. Our programs help communities make progress toward their 2030 emissions reduction targets. Equity, long-term affordability, community health and well-being, environmental protection, and economic development are integral to how we develop and deliver our climate action initiatives.

Position Purpose & Function:

The Director of Communications is part of a cross-functional, interdisciplinary team striving to advance policy, innovation, research, capacity-building, collaboration, projects, and market investments to accelerate zero emissions solutions and practices in the low carbon buildings, low carbon transportation, and urban renewable energy sectors.

The position is responsible for providing communications leadership to enable ZEIC to meet its strategic objectives and mission. Working with the Executive Director, as part of the senior leadership team, and in support of the Board of Directors, the role involves strategic communications planning; public, media and government relations; brand development, management, and integration; marketing and communications for programs, resources, and events on traditional media, social media, and websites; and program and contract management and oversight. The position will oversee the communications team at ZEIC and will interact program managers and others to meet cross-functional objectives.

Key Contacts & Reporting Relationships:

The position reports to Executive Director, collaborates with other Directors as part of ZEIC’s senior leadership team, engages with program managers and coordinators on specific areas of work, and supports and engages with the Board of Directors, as required. The position will lead a team, including manager and coordinator level positions and will lead cross-functional initiatives that may include staff from within ZEIC, diverse external partners and collaborators, and external contractors and consultants.

Duties & Responsibilities:

General:

Overall, the position will provide thought leadership, insights on communications approaches relevant to ZEIC’s mission and programmatic areas, communications planning and implementation expertise, and will champion a spirit of innovation and creativity for a team of highly motivated professionals. This role requires a dynamic, independent, collaborative, and enthusiastic senior communications professional with a passion for advancing positive systems change in alignment with ZEIC’s values and strategic priorities.

Focus areas for the position:

1. Strategic Communications

· Designing, implementing, and evolving the communications strategy to showcase ZEIC’s impact.

· Serving as a strategic advisor to staff and the Board on messaging and communications approaches with respect to ZEIC’s programs, initiatives, and strategic directions.

· Developing and executing a media relations plans to support ZEIC’s communications objectives; maintaining rapport with journalists; identifying and pursuing media and press opportunities and developing high-quality and informative press releases.

· Acting as ZEIC’s media liaison, responding to media activities, such as interviews and press conferences; providing guidance on media responses; acting as a spokesperson, as required.

· Working with the Executive Director and senior leadership team, supporting government relations plans and activities to meet ZEIC’s strategic and programmatic objectives.

· Engaging and advising staff on communication plans, media tactics, and strategies; creating communications toolkits to assist staff in programmatic communications.

2. Communications Material Development, Marketing & Brand Management

· Overseeing brand development and cohesion across the organization; expanding awareness and application of the ZEIC brand and leading the development and/or integration of program brands as part of a broader communication strategy for the organization and to engage relevant audiences.

· Developing and refining communications resources and tools with support from internal and external content experts and marketing these to relevant audiences.

· Directing and informing content and visual materials and providing direction for websites, social media, and traditional media products, including media releases, op-eds, blogs, newsletters, podcasts, videos, and graphics among other communications assets in collaboration with the communications team, program managers, and/or subject matter experts.

· Informing and advising on event plans and design, including webinars, industry education sessions, awards galas, and other in-person and online engagements.

3. General Management & Reporting

· Creating and providing support for presentations and reports for both external and internal use.

· Providing quarterly and annual communications updates for staff and the Board of Directors, as needed.

· Monitoring media and social media and informing ZEIC’s senior leadership team on key trends relevant to our mission.

· Developing, implementing, and overseeing the evaluation of communications strategies and tactics for the purposes of reporting and internal quality assurance.

· Managing and negotiating contracts and working with third-party vendors and partners.

· Managing communication budgets and resources and other administrative aspects of the communications teams.

· Other duties, as required.

Position Requirements:

Education & Experience:

· Master’s level degree in communications, journalism or related field from a recognized university or a combination of a Bachelor’s degree with significant marketing and communications, public relations, business and management experience.

· 8+ years of experience of experience in a communications or public relations role managing multiple portfolios and programs.

· 5+ years of management and supervision experience.

· Experience working within the non-profit and charitable sectors is an asset.

· Experience working in the low carbon buildings, low carbon transportation, and urban renewable energy sectors is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Values-driven strategic thinker with impeccable integrity and ethics and a diplomatic, solutions-orientated approach to identifying solutions.

· Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the desire and ability to lead, motivate, and inspire teams.

· Proactive, energetic, and flexible, with a strong ability to prioritize objectives and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.

· Ability to work collaboratively and enthusiastically within a growing organization.

· Excellent writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling, accessible content.

· Existing networks and relationships with relevant media.

· Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

· Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to produce quality outputs on tight timelines.

· Strong project management skills.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and WordPress.

· Experience in government relations is an asset.

· Ability to engage in hybrid work and commute to downtown Vancouver on a regular basis.

· Fluency in written and spoken French is an asset.

Candidates must have current eligibility to work in Canada. ZEIC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and with non-traditional qualifications. We care about and have policies to support equity, diversity and inclusion, and a respectful workplace. We operate a hybrid workplace. Flexible arrangements will be considered.

Compensation:

· Range: $115,170 to 136,110/year plus generous vacation, health, wellness, and RRSP benefits.

ZEIC acknowledges and is honored to work on the unceded and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

Only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. We thank everyone for taking the time to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $115,170.00-$136,110.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• RRSP match

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

Application deadline: 2024-04-15