Vice President, Public Affairs

**ORGANIZATION**:
Nature Conservancy of Canada

**POSITION**:
Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications

**LOCATION**:
Flexible (major Canadian urban centre)

**POSITION DETAILS**:
Full Time, Permanent

**REPORTS TO**:
President & CEO

**DIRECT REPORTS**:
Director of Corporate Communications, Director of Media Relations, Manager of Government Relations, Manager of French Language Services, Manager of Digital Services, and Communications & Administrative Assistant

**WEBSITE**

**THE ORGANIZATION**

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas that sustain all life.

NCC is the country’s leading nongovernmental land conservation organization. As a non-profit, charitable organization we work in partnership with individuals, Indigenous communities, corporations, governments, and other non-profit groups to protect our most important natural treasures and deliver nature-based solutions. We take a collaborative and evidence-based approach to deliver our mission. Since 1962 NCC and its partners have helped to conserve more than 15 million hectares, from coast to coast to coast. NCC has its national headquarters in Toronto and regional offices across the country.

The Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications is responsible for the leadership and oversight of NCC’s external communications program across Canada.

**THE POSITION**

Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the leadership position of VP, Public Affairs & Communications (VP), is an integral member of the Senior Management Team (SLT). The VP will establish and drive NCC’s corporate and external communications strategy, operating with a high degree of independence and accountability. Working closely with executive leads, the VP will increase awareness, advance thought leadership and strategic positioning, while upholding NCC’s prominent corporate reputation. The VP is responsible for championing strategic, creative, and consistent articulation of NCC’s ambition as well as promoting its progress, achievements and impacts to targeted audiences including partners, donors, influencers, and the public, in order to grow support and deliver the goals of NCC’s Strategic Plan.

The VP defines NCC’s corporate voice, working in collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to uphold and promote NCC’s brand and reputation. The VP is accountable for developing consistent messaging for all stakeholders that clearly communicates NCC’s purpose, progress, and impact, and resonates with all relevant audiences. The VP provides communications leadership and strategic direction and frameworks to all operating units including seven regionally based units, to align actions and messages across the country and amplify NCC’s reach and impact. A supportive collaborator, the VP will work closely with the Marketing and Development team and other business units to ensure alignment of communications messages, events, and projects.

As a strategic advisor to the President and CEO, the VP develops, implements, and monitors NCC’s profile and engagement strategy with key influencers in industry and government. The VP tracks emerging issues that may impact NCC’s business, advising executive colleagues of potential impact and appropriate response.

The VP is responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of activities relative to positioning the organization and its leadership with key audiences. They are an ambassador for NCC and lead a powerful and proactive media relations program, a thought-leadership program, and a robust content development service to advance NCC’s reputation with relevant constituents, as well as drive broader awareness and donor support.

The VP leads a creative team that plans and executes communications activities including, but not limited to, a corporate content strategy, public relations/issues management, media relations, and production of high-quality communications materials that highlight NCC’s work.

The VP is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and measuring communications output and results. They will translate objectives into plans and tactics that leverage multiple platforms and channels.

As a change agent, the VP will be instrumental in reflecting NCC’s commitment to equity and inclusion, by ensuring NCC’s voice, communications platforms and products reflect the rich diversity of our communities. The incumbent will promote alignment, capacity-building and innovation while supporting a culture of transparency, accountability, and empowerment.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

**_ Strategic Planning_**
- Designs and coordinates effective strategic communications programs in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Plan.
- Establishes leadershi