Digital Editor and Outreach Lead

The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), one of Canada’s oldest and most trusted think tanks, is recruiting a digital editor and outreach lead to join its dynamic communications team.

Who you are

You are at the start of your exciting career in journalism, communications, public affairs or public policy, and looking for a role where you can use your sharp writing skills and delve into other forms of content creation including video, podcasts and social media. You thrive in team environments that are fueled by creativity and ideas, and you are an enthusiastic observer of Canadian politics and public policy. You are bilingual — fluent in either English or French — and interested in building a network within the Canadian public policy community.

Who we are

We are a 52-year-old think tank based in the heart of Montreal. Our Institute produces in-depth research and convenes events on public policy and publishes the award-winning digital magazine Policy Options. We want to grow our influence and foster stronger links with current and emerging audiences. We are seeking a new colleague to help strengthen our community outreach and to improve engagement through our digital platforms.

Reporting to the IRPP’s director of communications, the digital editor and outreach lead will be responsible for the following:

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Lead the day-to-day development and execution of social media content by managing our Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram accounts and moderating and responding to comments across those platforms
• Undertake research that will help us understand and expand our readership on social platforms and increase the impact of our content
• Develop proactive social media strategies that will foster audience growth and engagement and cultivate our brand by
  • Mining digital analytics for actionable insights that will inform a data-driven approach
  • Implementing a social media advertising strategy that will expand the IRPP’s readership and influence
  • Undertaking active community listening to improve social media engagement

MEDIA MONITORING

• Monitor media for coverage and content related to the Institute
• Produce internal reports summarizing important coverage of the Institute and related topics
• Promote key external articles through IRPP social media channels
• Contribute to the development of media contact lists for external outreach

NEWSLETTERS AND OUTREACH

• Manage production and distribution of the Institute’s newsletters
• Develop a proactive audience-growth strategy for the IRPP’s varied content
• Develop and maintain up-to-date distribution lists of key stakeholders who should receive priority copies of research publications

ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

• Writing: support communications team in producing text in relation to IRPP outputs
• Podcast: support pre- and post-production
• Website: help with laying out Policy Options articles and other web content as necessary
• Events: provide logistical assistance during on-site, virtual and hybrid events when needed

You have related work experience and an undergraduate degree in a field such as communications/marketing, journalism, political science or public policy. You possess strong writing skills in English or French and are able to communicate clearly in the other. You are attentive to details and accuracy and are at ease with media monitoring software such as Hootsuite and Meltwater.

Desirable assets include experience with customer relationship management software (Hubspot), knowledge of web layout and graphic design programs (e.g., WordPress, Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva), experience with photography and video and audio production editing.

Working at the IRPP

We offer a competitive salary (range is $49,000 to $53,000) and benefits package, and a collegial work culture that is rooted in creativity, inclusivity and flexibility. We thrive on the exchange of ideas, both internally and with external partners.

The IRPP is a hybrid workplace based in downtown Montreal. As the successful candidate, you will work from the Montreal offices two days a week (or more if you so choose), subject to change in relation to organizational priorities.

The IRPP is committed to employment equity within its community and to recruiting a diverse staff. We encourage applications from Indigenous, Black and other racialized persons; 2SLGBTQIA+ persons; and Canadians living with disabilities. Please let us know if you have accommodation requirements to facilitate participation in the selection process by reaching out to us at the email address below. Candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.

How to apply

Please submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae and three writing samples by email to cdesjardins@nullirpp.org at your earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.