Animal Justice is a national animal law advocacy organization, focused on improving laws and policies to protect animals in Canada. We believe that animals need lawyers, and our legal team works to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. Canada has some of the worst animal protection laws in the Western world, and our mission is to overhaul the legal system to better reflect our country’s values of compassion and justice for all. Our team works to pass strong new animal laws at all levels of government, ensures industries and corporations are held accountable for abusing animals, and fights for animals in courtrooms across the country—and in the court of public opinion.
Animal Justice is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and ambition. We’re looking for a Director of Communications who can help elevate our influence, expand our reach, and position Animal Justice as Canada’s leading voice for animals.
This role is an opportunity to shape how Canadians understand animal protection, build public support for systemic change, and help set the national conversation on issues ranging from farming to laboratory experimentation to wild animal protection. You’ll help Animal Justice become a more prominent and persuasive voice in Canadian public life, ensuring that animal protection becomes part of conversations where it has too often been absent.
Working closely with the Executive Director and leadership team, the successful candidate will develop and execute communications strategies that raise Animal Justice’s public profile, deepen relationships with media, influencers, and key audiences, and ensure our advocacy has the greatest possible impact.
The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing organization working on a cutting-edge social justice issue.
Animal Justice offers a friendly and positive work environment.
Position Specifics
Position type: Full time, permanent
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Remote or hybrid at Animal Justice’s Toronto office; must be legally permitted to work in Canada.
Salary: $105,000-$115,000 per year (commensurate with years of experience)
Start Date: Fall 2026
Position Duties
Communications strategy
- Develop and lead a long-term, multi-channel communications strategy that advances Animal Justice’s mission and strategic priorities
- Identify opportunities to shape public conversations, rather than simply respond to them, and bring Animal Justice’s perspective to discussions that would not otherwise include us
- Exercising final decision-making authority on external communications to ensure consistent messaging across program areas/channels and alignment with strategy and branding
- Analyze metrics across platforms to evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies
Build Influence
- Develop strategies to increase the organization’s visibility and credibility with media, lawmakers, supporters, and the public
- Help position Animal Justice and its spokespeople as trusted experts
- Seek opportunities for opinion pieces, thought leadership, partnerships, and speaking engagements
- Develop approaches to deepen engagement on issues that receive less public attention, including farmed animal protection
- Grow Animal Justice’s reputation as a preeminent source for high-quality information concerning animal protection issues and enhance visibility within artificial intelligence search queries
Lead Media & Public Relations
- Oversee Animal Justice’s media strategy, earned media, and advertising
- Supervise and support staff working in communications and public relations to foster a strong, high-performing team
- Oversee the development of proactive media plans for campaigns, litigations, investigations, and legislative initiatives
- Work closely with the Public Relations Manager to cultivate Animal Justice’s relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and other influential communicators
- Provide strategic communications advice to the Executive Director and others tasked with public communication
- Work with the Public Relations Manager to help prepare spokespeople for media interviews and public appearances, including providing regular media training
- Provide guidance on messaging, positioning, reputation management, and communications risks
- Ensure communications considerations are integrated into organizational decision-making
Manage the Communications Team
- Supervise and support communications staff to foster a collaborative, creative, and high-performing communications team
- Work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Digital Communications to ensure digital communications, supporter engagement, and media strategies are optimized, aligned, and reinforce one another
- Build systems that improve planning, coordination, and evaluation
Other
- Oversee SEO/GEO best practices, including keyword optimization and evergreen content updates
- Maintain and implement the organization’s brand and style guides
- Stay informed on latest trends and best practices in digital marketing, social media, and other communications channels
- Work collaboratively with aligned organizations in support of shared strategic goals
- Travel as necessary to assist with campaigns, events, and attend conferences
- Other communications tasks as assigned
We’re Looking for Someone Who:
- Is a strategic thinker who understands how communications can drive social and political change
- Has exceptional instincts for framing issues in ways that resonate with diverse audiences
- Understands Canada’s political, media, and advocacy landscape
- Knows how to build relationships with journalists and generate meaningful earned media
- Can identify opportunities others miss and think several steps ahead
- Is comfortable advising senior leadership and influencing organizational strategy
- Is an excellent writer and editor
- Can manage competing priorities while maintaining a clear strategic focus
- Believes deeply in Animal Justice’s mission
Position Requirements
We’re less interested in a specific career path than in demonstrated impact. You may have built communications strategies for an advocacy organization, political office, public interest campaign, union, nonprofit, media organization, or public affairs firm. What matters most is your ability to develop compelling narratives, influence public conversation, and lead communications that create real-world change. Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional projects is strongly preferred.
A degree or equivalent experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field is an asset, as is thorough knowledge of animal issues, advocacy, and campaigns.
What Animal Justice Offers
- An opportunity to contribute to improving protections for animals
- A flexible work model that gives the option of remote, hybrid, or in-person
- Competitive compensation
- A supportive, collaborative, and inclusive culture
- Four weeks of paid vacation
- A comprehensive health benefits package
- An RRSP matching program
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Candidate Selection Process
(Subject to adjustments)
- Cover Letter, Resume, and Samples
- Interview 1
- Interview 2
- Reference Check
How to Apply
Please cover letter, a resume, and three samples of communications work as a single attachment in PDF format to Jennifer St.Onge at [email protected]. Please note “Director of Communications” and your full name in the subject line.
Applications will be accepted until 5 pm ET on Friday, September 25, 2026.
We are grateful for all applicants’ interest in the position, but only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted.
Notes on the Application Process
Animal Justice is committed to having accessible and equitable employment practices.
Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive culture absent of discrimination during the application process and after joining the team. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those from under-represented backgrounds. We believe that work on behalf of animals benefits greatly from collaborating with people from all backgrounds.
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation in the application process may email a request to [email protected].
If you meet most but not all requirements and still think you would be a great fit for the role, we encourage you to apply. We do not expect all candidates to fit this role description 100 percent. If after reviewing this job description, you have decided not to apply, please feel free to let us know why by emailing [email protected].
Together, we can help create a more just society for animals in Canada.
