To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to careers@macdonaldlaurier.ca, include “Communications Manager/Director Application” in the subject line.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before September 30, 2025. The competition will remain open until the job is filled.

About Macdonald-Laurier Institute: The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is the place to be if you want to be at the heart of informed debate over how federal power can best be used to protect and promote the national interests of Canada. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is Canada’s only truly national public policy think tank based in Ottawa. As a non-partisan organization, we provide thoughtful policy recommendations to help shape the public discourse and influence decision-makers across the nation.

Position Overview: Communication is critical to everything that MLI does; Ideas matter; but only if people know of them and engage with them at the right time.

More than anything, the Communications Director/Manager (final title will depend upon candidates skills and experience) ensures that MLI’s ideas reach decision-makers, media, and Canadians generally so that we can shape the national conversation. 

To do this, the Communications Director/Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and executing on the Institute’s strategic communications plan in service of the overall goals of MLI.

While media engagement remains an important part of our overall communications work, we’re looking for someone capable of driving our strategy to navigate the decline of traditional media, and to successfully harness the potential of social media, AI-informed search platforms, and innovative information technology broadly.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with tight deadlines and enjoys the cut and thrust of vigorous debate over national public policy in Canada.

To succeed at MLI, the Communications Director/Manager will need to direct and delegate, as well as get his or her hands dirty. This requires a unique skill-set: we’re looking for someone that is capable of engaging with policy and ideas at a very high-level but that can also dig into the nitty-gritty of Google Analytics and WordPress web-design UX. We’re looking for someone that can craft highly compelling press releases while assessing the strategic ROI of a digital ad-campaign on the various platforms we work through.

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is strictly non-partisan; working for MLI is incompatible with active membership in any political party.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops, updates, and executes the organization’s strategic communications plan
• Manages a small team of fellow communicators to deliver products and services efficiently for the organization
• Manages the Institute’s brand as a non-partisan, independent think tank
  • As a part of our brand management, the Communications Manager will provide regular assistance to our fundraising teams mass fundraising efforts
• Drafts a wide range of written products, especially media releases
• Manages media relations, including arranging interviews for MLI’s experts and media monitoring
• Manages the Institute’s social media channels
• Responsible for placing and assessing the success of ads
• Manages MLI’s website, as well as CNAPS.org and other off-shoot sites
  • Create highly engaging and professional project pages in support of MLI’s policy priorities
• Reports on the organization’s communications performance
• Manages partnerships with various stakeholders, clients, and vendors
• Helps manage the editing and placement of op-eds
• Provides strategic communications insight and advice for the organization, including for the development of specific project proposals and workplans
• Manages a team in the production of graphics, videos, podcasts, infographics, and other digital products
• Develop MLI’s email distribution list and manages several regular email newsletters
• Responsible for supporting and promoting the public-facing work and opportunities of MLI’s experts 
• Represents the Institute at events and formal functions

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years experience in communications, journalism, editing, or a related industry
• Undergraduate degree in communications, journalism, or related discipline or equivalent
• Experience in reporting on qualitative and qualitative indicators of organizational success including a strong familiarity with using data from Google Analytics, X, Meta Platforms, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Experience placing and managing social media ads on all major platforms
• Knowledge of strategic communications best practices
• Deep experience and capacity with common communications tools, including the following:
  • WordPress (and Elementor or similar drag-and-drop design plug-ins)
  • Critical Mention (or similar media monitoring software)
  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Workspace
  • Zoho Campaigns (Email Campaign Software)
  • Zoho CRM
  • Transistor (podcast distribution software) or equivalent
  • Video conferencing and livestreaming technologies (particularly StreamYard)
  • Capacity to operate basic video and audio recording equipment
  • All major social media platforms

An ideal candidate may also possess:

• An existing network of media contacts
• Bilingualism, particularly in French, though other language skills are considered assets

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Benefits:

• RRSP contribution
• Extended health care benefits
• Sick leave
• Professional development
• Paid time off
• Bonus pay

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience to careers@macdonaldlaurier.ca by September 30, 2025.

Please include “Communications Manager/Director Application” in the subject line.

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute offers a pay and benefits package that is competitive with equivalent positions in Ottawa.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.