Director, Public Engagement

POSITION TITLE: Director, Public Engagement

POSITION LOCATION: Ottawa, Canada (hybrid work model)

REPORTS TO: CEO

CONTRACT TERM: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

SALARY LEVEL: MGT3 ($112,200 - $132,000)

LANGUAGES REQUIRED: English, French

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 16, 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: August 17, 2026

Are you a strategic leader with a proven track record uniting communications, fundraising and public engagement? WUSC is currently looking for a Director, Public Engagement to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring WUSC's brand, revenue, and mobilization efforts are synchronized for maximum impact.

BACKGROUND

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change, and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the CEO, the Director, Public Engagement will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Communications, Fundraising, and Public Engagement departments at WUSC. This role bridges high-level organizational strategy with the management of a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that WUSC’s brand, revenue, and mobilization efforts are synchronized for maximum impact.

Strategic Leadership & Integration

• Develop and oversee a unified strategy that aligns Communications, Fundraising, and Public Engagement goals to advance organizational objectives.
• Act as the final authority on organizational voice, brand integrity, and reputational risk management. Monitor reputational risks and Lead on Emergency Communications, as required.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Senior Management Team, Global Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on all matters related to external relations and revenue generation.
• Monitor market trends and real-time performance data across communications, fundraising, and public engagement to suggest improvements and pivots to the team, as required.

Communications Oversight

• Directly lead the Communications team to develop and deliver on WUSC’s communications strategy, annual work plan, and budget.
• Set the cross-department editorial calendar and approve major communications products and activities, ensuring they support brandraising, fundraising, and engagement targets. Mediate competing priorities and timelines across departments.
• Provide senior-level coaching to the Communications Officers to ensure ongoing professional growth and high-quality output.
• Develop guides and resources to support other country offices in the development of brand-aligned communications products and activities.

Cross-Departmental Management

• Provide strategic supervision and support to the Senior Manager, Fundraising and Manager, Public Engagement, empowering them to lead their respective teams and meet performance targets.
• Chair regular integration meetings to ensure that communications collateral, donor appeals, and public activations are well-timed and messaged consistently.
• Develop relationships laterally with other departments to sustain buy-in and collaboration, and gain feedback and suggestions.

Work environment

• Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety.
• Create a working environment is free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)
• Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• Master’s degree in a related field.

Experience & Competencies

• Fifteen years of related experience of personnel management in a team environment.
• Specific expertise in communicating the impact of work focused on WUSC’s core priorities: youth, education, economic development, and global forced displacement.
• A proven track record of connecting brand storytelling to meet revenue and mobilization targets.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing cross-departmental strategies to engage overlapping audiences, building greater brand awareness and affinity.
• Strong analytical skills to monitor and interpret market trends and utilize real-time performance data across communications, fundraising, and public engagement to maximize impact.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a high-level liaison to executive team members and boards of directors.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages

• Complete fluency in English and French is required.

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and rewarding. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility.

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunities and empowerment.

Here’s some of what you can expect working with us in Canada:

• 35-hour workweek, ability to work flexible hours
• Hybrid work model, with free access to our Ottawa office
• 4 weeks annual leave
• Paid sick days (10) and special leave days (5)
• Extensive health and dental coverage for you and your dependents, 100% covered by us
• Group RRSP contributions, from day 1
• 300$ reimbursement for home office equipment
• Being part of a friendly, caring and enthusiastic team!

APPLICATIONS

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to hr-rh@wusc.ca.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Candidates must be legally allowed to work in Canada. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We may utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to facilitate the initial screening of applications based on criteria outlined in the job description. The ultimate decision to interview and hire is determined by our dedicated hiring team.