Net-zero food systems

Position: Sr. Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
Project: CANZA
Organization: Generate Canada
Location: Remote, Ontario; valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required; up to 30% travel.

Term: Permanent, 1.0 FTE, 1 active vacancy
Reports to: Director, Operations
Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000 /yr

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Generate Canada is a charitable organization that fosters deep collaboration across sectors, supply-chains, and stakeholder groups to generate innovative and systemic solutions to complex problems at the nexus of the environment, economy and society.

Through our Solution Spaces we drive innovation and progress to eliminate plastic waste, grow Canada’s circular economy, advance climate-smart agriculture, increase investment in nature, and accelerate our energy transition.

Join the Net-Zero Revolution

At CANZA, a solution space of Generate Canada, we are driven by purpose: to create Canada’s first net-zero food system by 2050. As Canada’s leading multi-stakeholder agri-food alliance, we are tackling one of the most critical challenges of our time—decarbonizing the agri-food sector.

Our mission is bold but achievable: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 150 MtCO₂e and establish a circular, sustainable food system. We bring together farmers, businesses, policymakers, and researchers to create groundbreaking solutions, leveraging innovation and collaboration at every level.

Why Work with CANZA?

• Purpose-Driven Mission: Be part of a high-impact initiative making tangible environmental and social change.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a team that values innovation, inclusion, and shared success.
• Growth Opportunities: Develop your skills while contributing to meaningful projects that influence the future of the agri-food system.
• Flexible Environment: Enjoy the autonomy of a remote-first workplace built on trust and balance.
• Inclusive Workplace: Thrive in a culture that prioritizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What You'll Do

As Sr. Manager, Communications & Public Affairs, you will play a vital senior leadership role in advancing CANZA’s ambitious mission. You’ll define and deliver a bold, integrated communications and public engagement strategy for a transformative national initiative advancing climate-smart agriculture.

This role leads storytelling, media strategy, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications to position the initiative and its partners as credible, visible leaders in environmental innovation, food system resilience, and rural transformation.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic communicator who excels at translating complex technical insights into compelling narratives that resonate across diverse sectors, including policymakers, corporate partners, producers, funders, and the general public. A deep understanding of multi-stakeholder collaboration and corporate engagement is essential to driving widespread impact and contributing to the creation of a sustainable agri-food system for Canada. You will take on the following responsibilities:

Strategic Communications

• Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the initiative’s mission, objectives, and public-facing priorities.
• Shape and promote a compelling national narrative around regenerative agriculture, environmental outcomes, and rural impact.
• Translate technical findings and program milestones into high-impact content across formats, including reports, media stories, web copy, and campaign materials.
• Support the design and implementation of project-level communications plans, including those required by funders and granting bodies.

Public Affairs & Media Relations

• Build and manage proactive media relations strategies to increase visibility, trust, and public engagement.
• Serve as a primary liaison with media outlets and journalists at national and regional levels.
• Monitor the policy and media landscape to identify communications opportunities, risks, and narrative shifts relevant to the initiative’s work.
• Draft and edit press releases, op-eds, policy briefs, speeches, and talking points for leadership.

Stakeholder & Partner Communications

• Ensure message alignment and brand consistency across all communications involving program partners, funders, and government collaborators.
• Create briefing materials, engagement toolkits, and strategic communications support for leadership, spokespeople, and field teams.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support communications objectives and strengthen collective impact.
• Develop partner-facing materials that support stakeholder engagement, recruitment, and retention.

Content Development & Digital Presence

• Lead the creation of high-quality content across platforms, including newsletters, web pages, social media, multimedia, and blog posts.
• Oversee the initiative’s digital presence, ensuring platforms are dynamic, audience-centered, and aligned with broader communications goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams to capture and amplify field stories, successes, and data-driven impact.
• Use digital analytics to measure performance, refine messaging, and inform strategy.

Who You Are
You’re a purpose-driven professional who thrives in dynamic, collaborative environments.

• Catalytic: Collaborative leader who thrives in cross-functional teams and can build alignment across sectors and stakeholder groups.
• Astute: Strategic thinker with sound judgment, high emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work.
• Proactive: Self-starter with strong organizational skills, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Empathetic: Excellent listener and relationship-builder who can navigate complexity and build trust with diverse audiences.
• Sustainability Advocate: Passionate about agriculture, sustainability, environmental transformation, and community impact.
• Team Player: Skilled at building interpersonal connections and fostering a supportive, communicative, and collaborative environment.
• Independent and Innovative: Motivated to take initiative and solve complex challenges.
• Resilient and Adaptable: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Aligned with Agri-Food Systems: Excited about the intersection of agriculture, food, and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or media relations, preferably within sustainability, agriculture, climate, or systems-change initiatives.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing high-impact communications strategies for national or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a mastery of narrative development, editing, and adapting content across formats and audiences.
• Strong understanding of political and policy environments; experience engaging with public sector stakeholders and government partners is preferred.
• 3+ years of project management experience, including budget oversight and coordination of consultants, contractors, or creative teams.
• Proficiency with communications platforms and tools including content management systems (CMS), CRM software, analytics dashboards, social media management tools, and basic design software.
• Confident and experienced spokesperson, able to represent the initiative publicly when required.
• Experience supporting knowledge mobilization, capital campaigns, or multi-audience communications is preferred.

To Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada and currently reside in Canada. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience (details not found in resume) to be considered for this opportunity.
Please note: We would rather receive a short cover letter from YOU than a formal letter from ChatGPT.

Apply Here: https://generatecanada.bamboohr.com/careers/44

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

What To Expect From The Hiring Process
We respect your time and value transparency. Here’s what to expect:

• Introductory call with HR (10 minutes)
  • Request for work samples
• Interview with Hiring Manager (30-60 minutes)
  • Candidate Exercise/ Assessment Task
• Interview with the Senior Management (45-60 minutes)
• Offer & Onboarding

Please note: this is subject to change at any point in the recruitment process based on the needs of the business. All interviewed applicants will be notified of the outcome within 45 days of their final interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Generate Canada values equitable opportunities, sustainable solutions, and collaborative and inclusive processes. Generate Canada recognizes and accepts differences in cultural, religious, and political processes and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
At Generate Canada we’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will do our best to support you. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the interview process, please let us know when we reach out to schedule your interview.

AI Disclosure Statement
At Generate Canada, we are committed to a transparent and human-centered recruitment process. We want to assure all candidates that we do not utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools for candidate screening or selection, at this time. All applications are reviewed and assessed by a human.