Child Care Now is seeking a Communications Coordinator

Child Care Now, Canada’s national child care advocacy association, is seeking a skilled and creative bilingual (French/English) Communications Coordinator to help us communicate our advocacy priorities to diverse audiences, expand our spheres of influence, and strengthen our impact. Expected start date by September 30, 2026, or sooner.

Terms of Employment

It is preferred that the Communications Coordinator live in or close to Ottawa, Ontario. 

This is a term position for a minimum of one year. The position may be attractive to a candidate able to take a leave from their permanent job to experience working with Child Care Now at an exciting time in the history of child care in Canada.

The annual salary range is $75,000 to $90,000.

Child Care Now strives to be a family-friendly organization by providing:

• Flexible work schedule (to be determined in consultation with the Executive Director)
• Telework support
• An employer-paid extended benefit plan (single or family)
• Generous family leave, vacation entitlements, and other time off.

About Child Care Now

Founded in 1982, Child Care Now is Canada’s non-partisan national child care advocacy association. As a membership-based organization of individuals and organizations across the country, Child Care Now leads and coordinates pan-Canadian advocacy for a publicly funded and publicly managed, high-quality, universally accessible, not-for-profit system of child care for children from birth to age 12. Working in partnership with the many actors in Canada’s child care sector and with a broad cross-section of allied organizations, Child Care Now advances public policy solutions that promote gender equity and build inclusive communities.

Key Responsibilities

Communications and content development

• Develop, write and edit communications materials, including newsletters, website content, social media posts, advocacy materials, news releases, backgrounders, speaking notes and other publications.
• Translate complex child care policy, research and government announcements into clear and accessible public communications.
• Help develop compelling narratives and messages that communicate the importance of, and need for, a publicly funded and managed system of not-for-profit system of child care that will over time give all residents of Canada access to universally accessible, high-quality, inclusive child care.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and ensure communications materials reflect the organization’s priorities and values.
• Coordinate the production and distribution of the organization’s electronic newsletters and other communications to supporters and stakeholders.

Digital communications

• Manage and regularly update the organization’s website.
• Manage the organization’s social media accounts and develop engaging content tailored to different platforms and audiences.
• Create or coordinate the creation of simple graphics, digital advocacy materials and other visual content.
• Monitor digital engagement and use analytics to help improve communications reach and effectiveness.
• Maintain and help grow the organization’s email and supporter lists.

Media and public communications

• Support media relations, including strengthening Child Care Now’s relationships with journalists, preparing news releases, media advisories, background materials and key messages.
• Monitor media coverage and emerging issues related to child care and relevant social and economic policy.
• Help identify opportunities for the organization to contribute to public debate and respond quickly to breaking developments.
• Support the Executive Director and other spokespeople in preparing for media interviews and public appearances.
• Maintain and update media contact lists.

Advocacy and campaigns

• Work with staff and partners to develop communications plans for advocacy campaigns, government announcements, reports, events and other initiatives.
• Develop digital tools and materials that help supporters participate in advocacy campaigns.
• Support national days of action, public events, webinars and other campaign activities.
• Coordinate communications with partner organizations and networks across Canada.

Qualifications and Experience

We recognize that strong candidates may bring different combinations of education, professional experience and lived experience. We encourage applications from people who meet the following qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written skills in English; strong verbal and comprehension skills in French.  
• Demonstrated experience in communications, public relations, journalism, advocacy campaigning.
• Experience working for an advocacy organization, non-profit, labour organization or public-interest campaign.
• Ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively.
• Familiarity with key child care policy issues and the state of child care in Canada, as well an understanding of how governments works, and how to influence public policy. 
• Strong commitment to equity, human rights, inclusion and social and economic justice.
• Experience managing organizational social media accounts and developing digital content.
• Experience with website content management systems such as WordPress or similar platforms.
• Ability to create basic visual communications using tools such as Canva or equivalent software.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Good judgment and the ability to work independently in a small, collaborative organization.

Working closely with the Executive Director and other staff, the Communications Coordinator will translate policy developments, research and advocacy priorities into clear, compelling and accessible communications for a range of audiences.

The successful candidate will be an excellent writer and editor, comfortable working across digital platforms, able to respond quickly to emerging issues, and interested in using communications to advance social and public policy change.

Key Responsibilities

Communications and content development

• Develop, write and edit communications materials, including newsletters, website content, social media posts, advocacy materials, news releases, backgrounders, speaking notes and other publications.
• Translate complex child care policy, research and government announcements into clear and accessible public communications.
• Help develop compelling narratives and messages that communicate the importance of universal, high-quality, inclusive child care.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and ensure communications materials reflect the organization’s priorities and values.
• Coordinate the production and distribution of the organization’s electronic newsletters and other communications to supporters and stakeholders.

Digital communications

• Manage and regularly update the organization’s website.
• Manage the organization’s social media accounts and develop engaging content tailored to different platforms and audiences.
• Create or coordinate the creation of simple graphics, digital advocacy materials and other visual content.
• Monitor digital engagement and use analytics to help improve communications reach and effectiveness.
• Maintain and help grow the organization’s email and supporter lists.

Media and public communications

• Support media relations, including preparing news releases, media advisories, background materials and key messages.
• Monitor media coverage and emerging issues related to child care and relevant social and economic policy.
• Help identify opportunities for the organization to contribute to public debate and respond quickly to breaking developments.
• Support the Executive Director and other spokespeople in preparing for media interviews and public appearances.
• Maintain and update media contact lists.

Advocacy and campaigns

• Work with staff and partners to develop communications plans for advocacy campaigns, government announcements, reports, events and other initiatives.
• Develop digital tools and materials that help supporters participate in advocacy campaigns.
• Support national days of action, public events, webinars and other campaign activities.
• Coordinate communications with partner organizations and networks across Canada.

Qualifications and Experience

We recognize that strong candidates may bring different combinations of education, professional experience and lived experience. We encourage applications from people who meet many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in communications, public relations, journalism, advocacy, campaigns or a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to non-specialist audiences.
• Experience managing organizational social media accounts and developing digital content.
• Experience with website content management systems such as WordPress or similar platforms.
• Experience using email communications platforms such as Mailchimp, NationBuilder or similar systems.
• Ability to create basic visual communications using tools such as Canva or equivalent software.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Good judgment and the ability to work independently in a small, collaborative organization.
• Familiarity with Canadian public policy, advocacy, non-profit organizations, labour, social justice or community-based organizations.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice.

Assets

The following would be considered assets but are not requirements:

• Knowledge of early learning and child care policy in Canada.
• Experience working for an advocacy organization, non-profit, labour organization or public-interest campaign.
• Experience with media relations.
• Experience developing advocacy or public-engagement campaigns.
• Knowledge of communications analytics and digital advertising.
• Graphic design, photography, video editing or other multimedia skills.
• Fluency in both English and French.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resumé to morna.ballantyne@childcarenow.ca with “Communications Coordinator” in the subject line by September  8, 2026.

In your cover letter, please tell us why you are interested in the position and briefly describe the experience and skills you would bring to the role.

We thank everyone who applies. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.