Join us in shaping Canada's sustainable energy future
The Pembina Institute is seeking a Senior Communications Lead based out of one of the Pembina Institute's Alberta offices (Calgary or Edmonton). Come join our Industrial Decarbonization group, where you'll primarily support our Business Renewables Centre-Canada team, building and maintaining an engaged community of renewable energy buyers, sellers and intermediaries.
Who we are
At the Pembina Institute, it's all hands on deck and it has been for the last 40 years.
Our 50+ person team, distributed across the country, are passionate and dedicated, but we don't sweat the small stuff. We're too busy tackling one of the most important issues of our time: Canada's clean energy transition.
In that transition, we don't leave anyone behind and believe each member of our team plays a critical role in achieving our goals. We ensure equity but promote individuality. We lead with curiosity --- challenging our own ideas and limiting beliefs, being open to diversity of thought and opinion. We use evidence-based thinking to inform our recommendations to decision-makers and understand that to make long-lasting changes, we need to take a practical approach when collaborating with others.
Our commitment to responsible development, and our "tough, but fair" approach, using research, consulting and convening, gives us credibility with decision makers whose actions today are setting the direction for the planet. Are you ready to join us?
Meet the team
The Industrial Decarbonization group at the Pembina Institute plays a critical role in advancing solutions to reduce emissions from Canada's energy supply, such as electricity generation and distribution. In doing so, we aim to prepare Canada for a clean, affordable economic future.
This role will primarily support the work of two Pembina-led initiatives, the Business Renewables Centre and the Carbon Dioxide Removal Centre. These initiatives provide information and support to business leaders --- many of whom are corporate sustainability professionals --- who are interested in the benefits of renewable energy procurement and CDR project development for their organizations.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Communications Manager, Industrial Decarbonization, and working closely with the director and policy teams for their assigned portfolio(s), the Senior Communications Lead provides strategic and on-demand communications support.
You will lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of communications initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Pembina Institute's goals. Working with internal and external stakeholders, you'll oversee media relations and digital communications and assist with stakeholder engagement and content development. You will also track local and global trends to identify opportunities for the Pembina Institute to influence discussions and advance its objectives.
Your key responsibilities
- Act as the key strategic communications adviser to the assigned portfolio(s) and associated policy teams, with advice and support as needed from the Pembina Institute's wider communications staff.
- Monitor traditional and social media, tracking political and policy developments that are relevant to the file's government relations and stakeholder engagement work.
- Maintain an engaged community of stakeholders interested in renewable energy development in Canada, via periodic targeted newsletters that track and collate relevant news and policy developments.
- Manage the creation and publication of content on the Business Renewables Centre social media channels (LinkedIn, X, Bluesky), including promotion of events, highlighting of media stories, or other policy/regulatory developments of interest to the community.
- Support policy teams with the editorial process involved in publishing research reports.
- In conjunction with the policy team, initiate and lead the production of strategic communications deliverables, such as media releases, op-eds and blogs.
- Serve as the primary media contact for the assigned portfolio(s), building and maintaining relationships with key journalists, responding to inquiries, working with the policy team to develop key messages, and coordinating interviews.
- Assist in the planning and execution of in-person and virtual events.
- Serve as the primary contact for the team's external graphic designer and work with them to plan, produce, and edit multimedia content. On occasion, do basic design work for the team in-house.
- Manage the Business Renewables Centre and CDR centre websites and update as needed, in conjunction with the website administrator.
What we're looking for
You bring proven expertise in media relations, digital engagement, social media, and online publishing, with strong writing and editing skills in CP style and academic conventions. Your keen attention to detail allows you to assess communications projects effectively and optimize strategies. With strong project management abilities, you excel at organizing tasks, forecasting needs, and meeting deadlines.
You can engage stakeholders with tact, discretion, and sound judgment. Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, you are also familiar with HTML editing and online publishing. Self-motivated and results-driven, you thrive in cross-functional environments, working independently while aligning with team goals. Your commitment to sustainability and social change is reflected in both your professional and volunteer experience.
What you bring
- Post-secondary education in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field (master's degree is a bonus).
- At least three years of experience in journalism, communications, or marketing (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Strong writing skills, with a proven ability to develop and execute communications strategies and plans.
- Expertise in digital engagement, social media, online publishing, multimedia production, and copy editing.
- Experience maintaining a community of engaged stakeholders through digital media, such as curated newsletters and targeted social posts.
- An interest or familiarity with corporate ESG and sustainability issues is an asset.
- Familiarity with Canadian policy, politics, and environmental issues; French proficiency is an asset.
- Strong media relations experience with familiarity in local and national Canadian media markets.
- Knowledge of CP style, academic grammar, and style conventions.
- Experience using CRM tools like Salesforce or Pardot.
- Ability to develop, edit, and produce multimedia content (e.g., podcasts, videos, slideshows).
- Results-driven mindset with a passion for best practices and stakeholder engagement.
The hiring range for the position is $73,542 to $84,048 annually based on a 37.5-hour work week, with a range maximum of $94,554. Within this range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, related experience, education and/or training, and internal equity.
We know that to meet these ambitious goals, our people are the core. We also know that one size does not fit all, therefore we offer employees a flexible office and home schedule that allows individuals to find an optimal balance. Our employees receive a generous paid time-off package starting with four weeks of vacation, time to cover health and wellness, professional development and offices closed annually from December 25 to January 1. In addition, we offer RRSP matching, parenthood top-ups, extended health and dental benefits, and yearly development funds.
Note: the incentive programs have certain eligibility requirements and may be subject to employment type.
To apply
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. MDT on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The Pembina Institute is committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise if you require any accommodation to participate in these posting, recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes.
Applications to the Pembina Institute are reviewed by our hiring team. Candidates selected to advance through the recruitment process will be contacted directly through our applicant tracking system. The recruitment process for selected candidates typically includes a screening call, interview, short assessment or samples of work and a reference check.
