Senior Manager / Head of Communications

Contract:  Permanent, Full-time

Location: Canada, Remote role - Preference will be given to candidates in the eastern time zone

Salary: CAD 80,000 - CAD 90,000 per year with excellent benefits, depending on candidate experience.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that - for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people's potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We're a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the role:

The Sr. Manager / Head of Communications is responsible for leading WaterAid Canada's communications strategy across brand, media, digital engagement, fundraising communications, and advocacy alignment. It is both a strategic and hands-on role that oversees all core communications functions, collaborates closely with teams across the organization, and manages the systems, vendors, and content required to support our mission. The position also leads the adaptation and implementation of major global communications campaigns for the Canadian market and maintains close coordination with WaterAid Federation communications counterparts to ensure alignment and shared learning.

The role integrates brand stewardship with growth-focused communications that elevate thought leadership, deepen supporter engagement, and strengthen the communications required for WaterAid Canada's fundraising, partnerships, and public affairs priorities. As the organization continues to expand its presence and contribution within the sector, the Head of Communications will play a critical role in positioning WaterAid Canada as a credible and influential voice on WASH, climate adaptation, and global development. 

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Implement an integrated annual communications strategy that aligns with organizational priorities in fundraising, advocacy, partnerships, and program impact.
• Steward and evolve WaterAid Canada's brand to grow visibility, credibility, and influence among donors, policymakers, partners, media, and the wider public.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board on communications approaches that support organizational growth and risk management.
• Champion a forward-looking communications vision that strengthens engagement pathways, audience segmentation, and content systems as WaterAid Canada expands.

Content, Brand, and Editorial Management

• Lead the development of compelling content that communicates WaterAid's impact with clarity and authenticity across web, social, print, media, and partner channels.
• Manage the editorial calendar, creative direction, messaging, and quality control for all communications outputs.
• Produce high quality flagship products including the annual report, newsletters, supporter updates, and storytelling assets that enhance transparency and supporter trust.
• Maintain and evolve unified brand guidelines and ensure consistent application across all teams and vendors.

Digital Engagement and Analytics

• Oversee WaterAid Canada's website to ensure accuracy, accessibility, strong user experience, and alignment with fundraising and advocacy goals.
• Lead WAC's social media strategy and content development to grow reach, engagement, and audience quality.
• Use analytics and data-driven insights to optimize performance across digital channels, campaigns, and conversion funnels, and provide regular reporting.
• Manage digital platforms and technical assets including Google Workspace, Google Nonprofit Solutions, domains, and SSL certificates.

Fundraising Communications

• Partner closely with the Philanthropy team to design and deliver compelling fundraising communications, donor stewardship content, campaign assets, and integrated appeals
• Strengthen supporter engagement and retention through tailored storytelling and segmented communications for monthly donors, major donors, and corporate partners.
• Work with the fundraising team to develop donor journeys, recognition frameworks, and campaign narratives that advance revenue goals.
• Ensure that communications strategies, messaging, and content consistently reinforce fundraising priorities and position communications as a key driver of revenue growth for WaterAid's mission.

Advocacy and Thought Leadership

• Collaborate with the Policy and Advocacy team to produce strategic communications that elevate WaterAid's policy priorities and demonstrate evidence-based impact.
• Develop messaging, briefs, and speaking points for the CEO and leadership for public engagement, media, government relations, and sector events.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities to position WaterAid as a thought leader in WASH, climate adaptation, public health, and global development.
• Support the development of white papers, op-eds, policy explainers, and other thought leadership assets.
• Contribute to sector-wide communications and advocacy initiatives with Canadian and global partners.

Campaigns, Events, Media, and Public Relations

• Lead the development, adaptation, and execution of communications campaigns for the Canadian market, including both WaterAid global campaigns and locally driven initiatives.
• Provide comprehensive communications support for fundraising, advocacy, and stakeholder events by ensuring strong brand representation, developing multimedia assets, coordinating media engagement where appropriate, and producing speeches, scripts, and visual materials that enhance visibility and reinforce key organizational messages.
• Lead media relations by cultivating relationships with journalists, preparing media kits, drafting op-eds, pitching stories, and managing response protocols.
• Ensure that WaterAid Canada is represented consistently and strategically in earned and shared media environments.
• Monitor current events and sector trends to identify timely opportunities for public engagement.

Vendor and Systems Management

• Manage external vendors including designers, photographers, videographers, PR firms, web developers, and communications consultants.
• Ensure efficient project flow, clear deliverables, strong quality control, and adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Build communications processes and systems that support future team growth.
• Collaboration and Internal Engagement
• Partner with all teams across WaterAid Canada to align messaging, coordinate campaigns, and ensure coherence across communications activities.
• Provide communications coaching to staff who represent WaterAid in public settings.
• As the communications function grows, support onboarding and mentoring of future staff or interns.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit or corporate communications, with demonstrated leadership in brand, digital engagement, and content strategy.
• Strong writing and editorial skills with the ability to translate complex programmatic or policy concepts into accessible, compelling communications.
• Experience working in or with fundraising teams and designing integrated donor communications.
• Experience supporting advocacy and public affairs communications is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage media relations and serve as a strategic advisor on communications opportunities and risks.
• Proven success in managing websites, social media platforms, analytics tools, and digital engagement systems.
• Experience managing vendors and creative contractors.
• Familiarity with international development, global health, climate change, or related fields is an asset.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving organization.
• Commitment to WaterAid's mission and values and an ability to communicate purpose in a way that inspires public engagement and donor support.
• Bilingualism in English and French is a strong asset.

Click here to download the full job description

Closing date: Applications close on 2nd January 2026.  Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening: To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid's Safer Recruitment policy.

Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country's context and policies. These will be shared during the process

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose - where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we'll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!