Job Opportunity

Position: Communications Lead
Organization: Cascade Institute
Location: This role may be performed either in-person at our Royal Roads University offices or fully remotely, from anywhere in Canada.

Position Summary:

The Cascade Institute Communications Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the Institute's communication strategies and supporting its knowledge mobilization activities. The Communications Lead is a seasoned communications professional with a strategic mindset, a track record of delivering impactful communications initiatives, and experience cultivating and leveraging relationships in media.

The overarching objectives of this role are to elevate the stature and awareness of the Institute and its projects among key audiences to help it achieve its mission: We provide governments, communities, industry, and frontline actors with a better understanding of the world’s problem landscape. We then help these leaders develop solutions to trigger a rapid shift in humanity’s trajectory towards a healthy, just, and resilient world.

The Communications Lead develops and executes the Cascade Institute’s integrated communications strategy, with a focus on public and media relations. Core responsibilities also include digital communications (social, newsletter, websites) and the planning and execution of virtual and in-person events. The Communications Lead also supports the Knowledge Mobilization Lead in producing research and analysis outputs (e.g., editing, publication design).

This role requires (1) strategic thinking and media savvy (i.e., sophisticated understanding of the evolving digital media landscape, where the Institute’s work should be pitched, and how to do it successfully), (2) high-quality writing (i.e., the ability to translate complex ideas for target audiences and produce clean, compelling copy for newsletters, press releases, and social posts), and (3) flexibility and agility, including a willingness to take on somewhat quotidian tasks often performed by more junior comms staff at larger organizations (e.g., website management, social media engagement, webinar facilitation, supplier and contract coordination).

This role may be performed either in-person at our Royal Roads University offices or fully remotely.

This is a full-time position on a three-year contract with possibility of extension. The salary range for this role is $85,000-$90,000 per year, based on experience. The Cascade Institute offers a comprehensive benefit package through Royal Roads University.

The Cascade Institute is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Primary Position Outcomes:

• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive and agile communications strategy and content plan that aligns with the Cascade Institute's long-term objectives and engages target audiences effectively, while managing the brand's reputation.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and editors in digital and legacy media and develop strategies for positioning Cascade Institute research in high-impact publications and media products.
• Manage the Cascade Institute’s digital presence, including social media platforms, newsletters, websites, and other online channels, ensuring content is compelling and consistently reflects the organization's mission.
• Conceptualize, create, edit, and disseminate high-impact content across various platforms, including social media posts, newsletters, press releases, website updates, and other strategic marketing materials.
• Lead the development, promotion, and execution of virtual, hybrid, and in-person webinars, presentations, and events.
• Support the Knowledge Mobilization Lead in the production of research and analysis outputs (e.g., editing, publication design).
• Collaborate closely with researchers and senior leadership to stay informed about the latest developments, research projects, and institutional priorities, facilitating a continuous flow of strategically aligned content production and distribution.
• Implement data-driven decision making by analyzing web traffic, community metrics, and digital engagement, using insights to refine and optimize communication strategies.
• Support senior leadership in the development of fundraising and funder-recognition materials.
• Support senior leadership in the management of contracts with web support and graphic design contractors.
• Collaborate closely with RRU Communications to align the Institute’s communications strategy, brand, and messages with RRU’s.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, relevant diploma, or equivalent combination of experience and professional development in communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in strategic communications, with a demonstrated history of successfully engaging with diverse online communities and delivering impactful communication strategies.
• Experience in media relationship cultivation.
• Experience with research "knowledge mobilization" (communicating the findings/insights/recommendations from research and analysis products) and policy advocacy.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to craft and convey strategic messages effectively to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in, or ability to quickly pick up, advanced communication tools and platforms, including MS Office Suite, cloud-based collaboration tools, LinkedIn, WordPress, and Canva.
• Expertise in social media management tools, data analytics, and SEO best practices.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills, with the capacity to handle complex tasks and meet strategic deadlines.
• A demonstrated commitment to quality, accuracy, and attention to detail, maintaining the highest professional standards.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, initiative, and decision making, including the ability to provide leadership in complex communications environments.
• A positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in relevant field.
• Experience conducting rigorous research/analysis and working within a team-based research environment.

The Cascade Institute is based at Royal Roads University and acknowledges that our headquarters are located on the traditional lands of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen (Songhees) nations. We recognize that their ancestors and peoples have lived on these lands for thousands of years. It is with gratitude that we now learn, work, and conduct research on these Lands. We also recognize that beyond the land acknowledgment, we all play a role in transforming our relationships, communities and our world.

THE COMPETITION WILL CLOSE AT 10.00 P.M. ON AUGUST 7, 2025

To avoid potential exposure to job seeker phishing schemes, please only apply to this role through Royal Roads University's hiring platform (using the linked button below). The Cascade Institute has been the previous target of a job seeker phishing scheme, in which a malicious entity emulated the Cascade Institute. Responses for the legitimate posting will only be sent from cascadeinstitute.org and/or royalroads.ca email addresses (please check email addresses thoroughly, as phishers are known to create similar-looking email domains as part of their schemes).

Learn more: https://cascadeinstitute.org/communications-lead/
Apply here: https://royalroads.mua.hrdepartment.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/2433

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