Director of Communications, Knowledge, & Impact

Director of Communications, Knowledge, & Impact (CKI)

(Indigenous applicants preferred)

Job term: Permanent, Full Time  

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Canada, remote
(must reside within Canada to be eligible for consideration)

Reports to: Executive Director

Who We Are

Indigenous Youth Roots is a national, Indigenous youth-led organization rooted in community. We envision a future where Indigenous youth are connected, empowered, and thriving as leaders within their communities. We work alongside communities to offer programs, grants, and opportunities grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, with the goal of strengthening and uplifting Indigenous youth voices. Our work is guided by seven core principles: Reciprocity, Innovation, Accountability, Reclamation, Advocacy, Resurgence, and Solidarity; along with being centered in Indigenous youth perspectives, that shape how we act and relate to one another.

At IYR, we center our people and our communities in all that we do. As a living wage employer, we honour the importance of balance by supporting flexible ways of working, time for ceremony, and the responsibilities that shape our lives. We are committed to meeting accessibility needs and creating a supportive, responsive work environment. Guided by purpose, we focus on meaningful outcomes that reflect our values, rather than upholding the status quo.

Your Impact

The Director of Communications, Knowledge & Impact (CKI) leads a department responsible for amplifying Indigenous youth voices, advancing organizational priorities through strategic initiatives, and embedding knowledge mobilization and impact measurement into IYR’s work. The Director provides strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination across communications, strategic initiatives, and knowledge systems. This role ensures IYR’s public presence, storytelling, and evidence of impact are clear, accessible, and aligned with the organization’s vision, values, and purpose.

Summary of Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Collaboration: 

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction for the Communications, Knowledge & Impact Department.
• Champion cross-department collaboration to ensure communications and knowledge strategies strengthen organizational priorities.
• Represent IYR with external stakeholders, partners, and funders, positioning the organization as a leader in youth-centered, equity-driven communications and impact.
• Foster an inclusive, culturally safe, and equitable workplace culture rooted in humility, integrity, and collaboration.
• Support departments in building capacity for adaptive leadership, effective decision-making, cross-team collaboration, and navigating organizational change.
• Lead the development and oversight of the department annual work plans and budgets.
• Participate actively as a member of the IYR Directors Circle, contributing to unified, principled decision-making and modeling values-based leadership in alignment with IYR’s guiding principles and leadership commitments.
• Hold accountability for team performance, goal achievement, and organizational alignment.
• Supervise and support departmental staff, providing direction, training, mentorship, and performance management.
• Contribute to internal systems that strengthen project management, cross-department knowledge sharing, and organizational learning.

Strategic Communications:

• Ensure IYR’s brand, messaging, and storytelling authentically reflect Indigenous youth perspectives, organizational values, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee and support the Strategic Communications Manager in developing and executing their portfolio.
• Oversee the development and execution of communication strategies across digital platforms, media relations, publications, and events.
• Lead the preparation and release of organizational documents such as the Annual Report, newsletters, evaluation summaries, and public statements.
• Provide quality checks such as copy-review and Indigenous cultural accuracy alignment throughout communications projects and campaigns.
• Direct the planning and delivery of major communication campaigns, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation.
• Cultivate and manage constructive relationships with media, partners, and community organizations.
• Ensure staff formal performance evaluations are conducted with a focus on continuous development.
• Recruit and onboard staff, students, or volunteers as needed, ensuring equity-driven hiring and culturally safe integration.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Lead the planning, development, and delivery of special and large-scale initiatives prioritized by IYR leadership and guided by the Strategic Plan.
• Provide executive oversight of IYR’s cornerstone events, including the Youth Gathering, the Celebration, and other high-profile strategic engagements that advance the organization’s mission and strengthen its visibility.
• Oversee event budgets to ensure alignment with IYR and funder commitments.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners to collaborate on shared initiatives that expand IYR’s impact and reach.
• Provide engagement and event support for ongoing programs in other departments as needed, ensuring alignment with organizational values and priorities.

Data & Impact Measurement

• Work directly with the data management team, providing managerial oversight and direction.
• Embed knowledge mobilization practices across all initiatives, translating research, data, and evaluation into accessible resources for youth, partners, and the public.
• Oversee the development of internal systems and processes that support outreach, impact measurement, and strategic communications.

Community Engagement:

• Promote a collaborative, transparent, and accountable organizational culture that reflects IYR’s values.
• Participate actively in staff meetings, working groups, and committees to advance organizational goals.
• Uphold and promote the organization’s cultural values and guiding principles in all workplace practices.
• Engage with the Indigenous community and support initiatives that strengthen relationships and collaboration.

Health, Safety, and Wellness:

• Carry out your duties in a manner that does not adversely affect your own health and safety or that of others by reporting all potential hazards, all incidents, and injuries.
• Co-operate, support, and engage with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve occupational health & safety.

Other:

• Maintain high ethical standards and demonstrate integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness in all endeavours and communications. 
  
• Support and participate in all IYR staff, department, and team meetings. 
  
• Participate in external and internal committees, working groups, or projects as required. 
• Be available for in-person engagements when required and provided reasonable notice.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

• Post-secondary Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, media studies, evaluation, knowledge mobilization, public policy, or a related field is preferred.
• A graduate degree in a relevant discipline (such as communications, organizational leadership, or evaluation) is considered an asset.
• 5 or more years’ of progressive experience in a management capacity.
• 3 or more years’ experience in a senior leadership capacity.
• 5 or more years’ of experience in communications, knowledge mobilization, evaluation, or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in digital communications, media relations, branding, storytelling, and public engagement.
• Hands-on experience with evaluation, impact measurement, and knowledge mobilization, including the ability to translate complex information into accessible formats for diverse audiences.
• Leadership experience in planning and executing public-facing events and gatherings.
• Experience working in values-based, Indigenous-led, or trauma-informed organizations.
• Experience working with Indigenous youth communities an asset
• Experience managing diverse teams of graphic designers, event planners, data researchers, and/or media coordinators.
• Strong administrative experience, with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and create shared ownership for outcomes. Proven success in setting vision, managing cross-departmental initiatives, and aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders in youth-serving or community-based contexts.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including overseeing departmental budgets and ensuring resource alignment with organizational strategy.
• Bilingual in French and English is an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Visionary and Strategic Leadership: Ability to set a clear direction, connect strategy to action, and drive implementation in alignment with IYR’s mission and values.
• Exceptional Communication: Skilled at conveying ideas with empathy, transparency, and adaptability across diverse audiences, including youth, staff, funders, and community partners.
• Coaching and Mentorship: Proven ability to support staff development, build team confidence, and nurture future leaders.
• Emotional Intelligence and Integrity: Demonstrates humility, honesty, and self-awareness, fostering trust and accountability.
• Innovation and Creativity: Brings fresh thinking to communications, storytelling, knowledge mobilization, and impact measurement, encouraging proactive approaches rather than reactive responses.
• Equity and Inclusion: Applies equity-driven approaches, centers Indigenous youth voices, and integrates cultural safety and anti-racism into all aspects of leadership.
• Collaboration and Partnership-Building: Works effectively across departments and with external stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Resilience and Crisis Management: Provides steady leadership during periods of change, risk, or conflict, while supporting staff and organizational stability.
• Organizational Skills: Balances multiple priorities, manages complex workflows, and delivers results on time.

Compensation 

• Salary: $101,657 to $118,924 annually
• Health benefits: will begin following a 3-month probationary period
• Other: GRRSP employer contribution that is 5% of salary
• Vacation: 15 days and statutory holidays, in addition to a 2-week winter closure
• Personal Days: 15 days
• Annual Professional Development Benefit: $1500 annually following a 3-month probationary period
• Cultural Days: 5 days annually
• Volunteer Hours: 5 hours monthly at any organization of your choice.
• Flexible Work Week Options: 4 and 5 Day work week options.

Application Method

As a part of your expression of interest, please provide a cover letter that introduces yourself and share your passion for working alongside youth (especially youth in Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer communities) and highlight how your qualifications align with this role. IYR Prioritizes internal applications in an effort to support our commitments to development and growth, should we not have a qualified and interested internal applicant, external candidates will be considered based on competencies, skills, and relevant experiences (both lived and worked experience).

Accommodation & Equity

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have any questions, please contact payton@indigenousyouthroots.ca. IYR believes in barrier-free hiring practices. Please reach out to indicate how we can accommodate you.