Vice-President, Communications and Marketing

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto, with flexibility to travel on occasion as needed

Working hours: Regular business hours but flexibility to work outside of these hours as needed

Effective: February 2026

ABOUT THE PUBLIC POLICY FORUM (PPF)

The Public Policy Forum (PPF) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit think tank that was established in 1987. We work to inject fresh thinking into Canadian policymaking. The public interest is our north star.

For more information, please visit: ppforum.ca

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice-President of Communications and Marketing is a key member of the executive team of PPF, and has the opportunity to shape and amplify the impact of one of Canada's leading and most respected think tanks. They are responsible for developing and supervising all communications and marketing strategies, including a broad range of public relations activities relative to the positioning of the organization and its leadership, and maintaining the brand integrity of PPF. They serve as an ambassador for the organization and have close relationships with media. Working hand in hand with the CEO, and collaborating with colleagues across functional areas, the Vice-President of Communications and Marketing will have the creative vision and strategic acumen to drive messaging, explore new storytelling avenues, reach new audiences, and play a key role in helping broaden and enhance PPF's mission and profile.

PPF's role is not only to develop excellent evidence-based policy, but also to ensure that policy recommendations reach different audiences, through different platforms. Audiences include all levels of government, corporate and non-profit thought leaders, and even the general public. This role helps shape how policy ideas land in the public conversation, not just how they are delivered. PPF's credo is "Bigger tables, Better narratives, Broader impact"; this translates into ensuring that PPF sparks good conversations from coast-to-coast-to-coast so that policymaking is both "top down" and "ground up," and that the organization tells positive stories of how policy can shape a country where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic vision and execution: develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with PPF's goals and enhances its brand identity. Survey other think tanks and academic policy programs to understand how peer organizations are positioning and marketing themselves, and to ensure that PPF maintains a distinct brand identity while also drawing on best practices.

Position Title: Vice-President Communications and Marketing

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto, with flexibility to travel on occasion as needed

Working hours: Regular business hours but flexibility to work outside of these hours as needed

Effective: January 2026

ABOUT THE PUBLIC POLICY FORUM (PPF)

The Public Policy Forum (PPF) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit think tank that was established in 1987. We work to inject fresh thinking into Canadian policymaking. The public interest is our north star.

For more information, please visit: ppforum.ca

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice-President of Communications and Marketing is a key member of the executive team of PPF, and has the opportunity to shape and amplify the impact of one of Canada's leading and most respected think tanks. They are responsible for developing and supervising all communications and marketing strategies, including a broad range of public relations activities relative to the positioning of the organization and its leadership, and maintaining the brand integrity of PPF. They serve as an ambassador for the organization and have close relationships with media. Working hand in hand with the CEO, and collaborating with colleagues across functional areas, the Vice-President of Communications and Marketing will have the creative vision and strategic acumen to drive messaging, explore new storytelling avenues, reach new audiences, and play a key role in helping broaden and enhance PPF's mission and profile.

PPF's role is not only to develop excellent evidence-based policy, but also to ensure that policy recommendations reach different audiences, through different platforms. Audiences include all levels of government, corporate and non-profit thought leaders, and even the general public. This role helps shape how policy ideas land in the public conversation, not just how they are delivered. PPF's credo is "Bigger tables, Better narratives, Broader impact"; this translates into ensuring that PPF sparks good conversations from coast-to-coast-to-coast so that policymaking is both "top down" and "ground up," and that the organization tells positive stories of how policy can shape a country where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic vision and execution: develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with PPF's goals and enhances its brand identity. Survey other think tanks and academic policy programs to understand how peer organizations are positioning and marketing themselves, and to ensure that PPF maintains a distinct brand identity while also drawing on best practices.
• Communications: support the Policy team to disseminate reports and recommendations to key audiences, and support the Events team to promote the Testimonial Dinner and Growth Summit and drive interest and ticket/table sales.
• Public relations: oversee public relations activities, including media relations, writing news releases, and leading crisis communications (when and if needed). Pitch stories, op-eds, and research to media outlets. Identify speaking platforms and media opportunities for the CEO and Policy lead(s) and opportunities for profile-building and recognition for the CEO and members of the Board. Provide coaching support to the CEO and Policy leads to improve their communications skills and confidence.
• Content creation: oversee the creation of various communications materials, including PPF reports and policy briefings, PowerPoint presentations, templates, newsletters, social media and digital content - ensuring consistency in quality, messaging and branding. Develop key messages for general and specific needs.
• Stakeholder engagement: build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to promote PPF's policy work and enhance its visibility, most notably regional and national media, counterparts at other think tanks, and organizations/funders where there is policy interest in local media, democracy, civic engagement and social cohesion. Collaborate with Business Development on strategies and tools to develop the value proposition to attract and retain members and partners.
• Fundraising: work with the CEO to develop proposals and pitches to prospective funders.
• Internal communications: in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President, Human Resources, ensure effective internal communications across the organization fostering greater collaboration and transparency among different functional areas. Ensure teams and departments are aligned on communications strategies and targets.
• Performance measurement: monitor and analyze communications metrics to assess the effectiveness of strategies and make data-driven decisions for improvement.
• Governance: participate in Board meetings and bring to the attention of the CEO, to disclose to the Board, any issues which pose potential reputational risk and propose mitigation strategies.
• Team leadership: lead and mentor the Senior Director of PPF Media and Digital Editor, to ensure high performance, and continuous learning and professional development. Identify and engage freelance contract designers, writers, editors and others to complement the team in areas where there are periodic needs.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Advanced communications skills across all mediums-verbal, written, presentation, and digital. Fluency in English; advanced French. Ability to weave evidence with compelling storytelling in order to capture imagination, interest and attention.
• Deep expertise in media relations, crisis management, and reputation management. A network of media contacts that are leveraged to benefit PPF.
• An attention to detail to translate vision into execution; a careful planner able to manage multiple priorities and to meet tight timelines when needed.
• Well-versed in Artificial Intelligence applications for communications and with emerging digital and social media trends.
• Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across all levels and functions.
• Inspirational and humanistic leader with proven track record of building highly engaged, high-performing teams.
• Superior consultative, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Intellectually curious and able to learn quickly.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• 15+ years of experience combined in media, and in senior corporate, government, academic, or non-profit communications or marketing roles within complex, multi-stakeholder environments or top-tier PR/Public Affairs agencies.
• Demonstrated track record of leading diverse teams and working with C-suite executives.
• Proven history of strategic decision-making and synthesizing information for executive leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or English Literature/Arts.
• Master's degree and/or Business degree and/or experience as a journalist or writer considered strong assets.
• Fluent in using suite of Office tools (Word, PowerPoint).

Please send your CV and cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.