Sr. Communications Specialist, Impact Storytelling & Recognition

Driven by a strong belief in philanthropy's powerful role and responsibility, the Azrieli Foundation funds a broad range of organizations, facilitating innovative outcomes and increasing knowledge and understanding in the search for practical and novel solutions.  

With a firm conviction that everyone has potential, we work to open doors, break ground and nurture networks, supporting the most vulnerable to the most exceptional to achieve their best and contribute to society.  

In addition to strategic philanthropy, the Azrieli Foundation operates several initiatives including the Azrieli Fellows Program, the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, the Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, the Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre and others.  

About the Foundation: 

The Azrieli Foundation is one of the largest public philanthropic foundations in Canada, supporting initiatives in education, science & healthcare, research and the arts, across communities in Canada and Israel. Through innovative and strategic philanthropy, we strive to help people of all faiths, ages, backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential and drive positive change in their communities.  

We are seeking a Sr. Communications Specialist, Impact Storytelling & Recognition to join our dynamic and collaborative communications team.

Position Summary: 
 

The Sr. Communications Specialist, Impact Storytelling & Recognition will play a pivotal role in connecting the grants portfolio with strategic communications, ensuring recognition commitments, grantee communications and impactful storytelling opportunities are coordinated, tracked and delivered consistently across a diverse national and international portfolio. 

Serving as the primary subject matter expert on grant-related communications, recognition, branding and acknowledgement requirements, this role is the central point of expertise for all communications activities within the grants ecosystem. Working collaboratively between the Grant Services and Communications teams, the Sr. Communications Specialist, Impact Storytelling & Recognition provides guidance and oversight related to communications commitments embedded within grant agreements, champions opportunities to showcase impact and fosters strong relationships with grant managers, grantees, key stakeholders and external service providers. 

This highly collaborative role strengthens the connection between the Foundation's grantmaking activities and its broader communications strategy, helping to identify, elevate and amplify stories that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy across Canada. The successful candidate ensures grant-related communications opportunities are strategically prioritized and supported in alignment with Foundation goals, brand standards and stakeholder expectations. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Maintain grants portfolio visibility of communications and recognition activities   

• Monitor grant pipeline activity and identify upcoming communications and impact storytelling opportunities across the grants portfolio; work with the Grants team to develop and validate content   

• Develop and maintain communications and recognition calendars for grants activities  

• Coordinate major granting communications milestones, events, announcements and recognition activities   

Recognition & Branding Oversight: 

• Advise Grants Teams on recognition/communications-related deliverables and obligations   

• Maintain centralized repository of grants-related communications materials and templates (e.g., standard communications and recognition language for grant agreements)  

• Review communications, branding and recognition requirements in new grant agreements and monitor compliance with those commitments.   

• Track and monitor recognition deliverables tied to high-value grants (e.g., naming rights, signage, website inclusion, social media, lectures, reports, press releases, conferences, annual reports)  

• Evaluate whether recognition commitments meet contractual thresholds and recommend resolutions to those that may not 

• Approve use of Foundation name and logo within established guardrails  

• Coordinate creation and approvals related to Grants communications and recognition across the Foundation (e.g., Grants, Communications, and Legal)  

• Draft recognition language and acknowledgment text  

• Serve as the primary communications contact for grantee communications  

Communications Coordination/Advisory 

• Serve as the primary communications advisor and point of contact for the Grants Team  

• Attend weekly Communications team meeting to ensure alignment with overall comms strategic goals & guidelines and to be aware of other activities occurring in other Foundation areas; meet 1:1 with Communications Director  

• Attend grants team meetings, grant services team meetings and identify communications-relevant milestones, events and impact stories to highlight to the communications team for inclusion in internal and external materials  

• Maintain proficiency in Fluxx and related grants systems platforms, including use of Finn and other AI-enabled tools to prepare grant summaries and communications briefing materials   

• Connect Grants Managers with communications resources and expertise as required  

• Coordinate communications support requests across internal Communications teams and external service providers  

• Facilitate access to specialized communications services, including design, translation, photography, videography, website updates, event materials and production support  

• Maintain visibility into communications requests, priorities and upcoming activities across the grants portfolio 
  

• Other communications-related tasks as required 

Additional Information

• This role may require flexible hours to support events and initiatives. 

• Limited travel may also be required. 
• Bilingual Preferred (English/French)

Required Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, grants administration, philanthropy or a related field   

• Strong project management and coordination skills   

• Experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders   

• Excellent writing, editing and communications skills   

• Experience interpreting policies, agreements or compliance requirements   

• Experience working with databases, content management systems or grants management platforms 
  

Soft skills: 

• Highly organized, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines 

• Trustworthy, reliable and can exercise discretion and tact in difficult or confidential situations 

• A team player with strong interpersonal skills who can collaborate effectively with key stakeholders and leadership 

• Calm under pressure and can adapt quickly to changing priorities and circumstances 

• Outstanding people skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups and individuals, both internally and externally 

• A self-starter with a creative mindset and problem-solving capabilities, able to work independently and proactively 

Our Values

Inspired by Jewish values – including Tikkun Olam, the responsibility to repair the world - and the vision and resilience of our founder, David J. Azrieli z”l, the mission of Azrieli philanthropy is to improve the lives of present and future generations through Education, Research, Healthcare and the Arts both in Canada and Israel.

Our  values are the bedrock of our culture. They shape how we work, how we collaborate and how we make decisions—every single day. Those who succeed at the Azrieli Foundation exemplify the core principles of: 

• Integrity & respect 
• Taking on big challenges 
• Excellence 
• Passion for making a difference 
• Results-oriented mindset 
• Sustainable impact 

Inclusivity and Accessibility 

Living our values means creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to contribute. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is one way we put those values into practice. 

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and value diverse backgrounds, abilities and ways of thinking. Diversity and inclusion make our organization strong, productive and innovative. Applicants with lived experience who identify as neurodivergent are strongly encouraged to apply. 

We are committed to creating inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require an accommodation during the application or recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected].