Associate Director, Editorial Writing

Job description

About UJA Federation of Greater Toronto At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America - a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives . As one of North America’s leading Jewish non-profits, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto works to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Greater Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world. UJA advances this mission through fundraising, programs, and research focused on our strategic pillars: fighting poverty and improving well-being, growing Jewish education and identity, countering antisemitism and hate, and strengthening connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. About the Opportunity UJA Federation of Greater Toronto is seeking an Associate Director, Editorial Writing with exceptional writing and editorial skills, strong strategic judgment, curiosity, and the ability to provide editorial leadership across a complex organization. Reporting to the Senior Director, Editorial & Strategic Communications, the Associate Director is a senior editorial leader responsible for shaping and strengthening UJA's organizational storytelling and priority communications. The role provides strategic editorial direction across newsletters, community communications, digital content, donor and fundraising materials, executive communications, and other high-priority organizational content. The Associate Director works closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across UJA to determine the strongest editorial approach for complex, sensitive, and high-profile subject matter. The role is expected to independently assess communications needs, identify the appropriate audience, message, format, tone, and editorial approach, and provide strategic recommendations to stakeholders. A major area of responsibility is UJA's newsletters and community communications. The Associate Director will provide leadership in determining editorial priorities, identifying compelling stories and emerging opportunities, and translating complex organizational and community issues into clear, accurate, engaging content. This is a senior, hands-on role that combines exceptional writing and editing with editorial strategy, organizational influence, independent judgment, and functional leadership . Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provide editorial leadership and strategic direction for UJA's priority organizational communications, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, audience needs, UJA's voice, and broader communications strategy. Lead the editorial planning and development of newsletters, community communications, blog and website content, donor and fundraising materials, social content, executive communications, and other priority organizational writing. Establish editorial approaches, messaging frameworks, content priorities, and standards for complex and high-profile communications. Exercise significant independent judgment in determining the appropriate editorial direction, messaging, audience approach, tone, structure, and format for assigned initiatives. Serve as a senior editorial advisor to internal stakeholders , providing expert counsel and recommendations on messaging, storytelling, positioning, tone, and communications approach. Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across the organization to clarify communications objectives, identify key messages, anticipate issues, and determine the strongest approach to reaching intended audiences. Conduct interviews and original research to identify compelling stories, perspectives, themes, and opportunities that advance UJA's organizational and community priorities. Research complex and unfamiliar subject matter and develop comprehensive background briefs that bring together key facts, context, themes, source material, risks, and potential areas for discussion. Translate complex research, data, organizational priorities, and community issues into clear, accessible and compelling content. Lead the editorial development of moderated conversations, panels, interviews, webinars, speeches, remarks, and event scripts, including research, questions, structure, messaging, and flow. Identify emerging communications opportunities, challenges, and potential sensitivities and recommend appropriate editorial responses. Influence and align stakeholders across departments on editorial priorities, messaging, and communications approaches while balancing differing perspectives and organizational requirements. Establish and promote editorial standards related to clarity, accuracy, consistency, tone, organizational voice, and audience. Provide functional leadership, editorial guidance, coaching, and expert advice to colleagues and contributors involved in content development. Review and strengthen high-priority and sensitive content, exercising judgment regarding potential reputational, donor, fundraising, community, and stakeholder implications. Provide project leadership across complex editorial initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Manage multiple high-priority editorial initiatives simultaneously, independently determining priorities and adjusting approaches in response to emerging organizational needs. Maintain awareness of current events, community issues, communications trends, and emerging matters that may influence UJA's communications and editorial priorities. Perform other related responsibilities as required. Qualifications Requires a breadth of knowledge typically gained through acquiring a university degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Media Studies, or another relevant discipline . May require additional specialized technical or professional training in editorial strategy, digital communications, fundraising communications, or a related area. 8–10 years of progressive experience in journalism, communications, editorial content, non-profit communications, fundraising communications, agency work, or a related field. 5+ years of senior-level experience developing, writing, editing, and providing editorial direction across multiple audiences, platforms, and complex subject areas. Demonstrated experience providing strategic editorial advice and recommendations to senior stakeholders. Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills. Demonstrated experience conducting interviews, undertaking research, synthesizing complex information, and developing original content. Advanced editorial judgment and demonstrated ability to determine what matters most within complex, detailed, sensitive, or competing information. Demonstrated ability to independently establish editorial approaches and translate organizational objectives into effective communications. Strong ability to influence stakeholders and build alignment across multiple departments and competing priorities. Demonstrated experience providing editorial guidance, functional leadership, coaching, or subject-matter expertise to colleagues and contributors. Strong judgment regarding tone, audience, accuracy, sensitivity, organizational reputation, and voice. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex and high-priority initiatives with significant independence. Strong awareness of current events and community issues is an asset. A strong interest in UJA's mission and the Jewish community is important to success in this role. Writing Sample Submission Applicants must submit two to three writing samples demonstrating exceptional writing, editorial judgment, and the ability to communicate complex subject matter clearly and effectively. Samples demonstrating range are encouraged, including newsletters, community or feature writing, web content, executive communications, or work developed through original interviewing or research. Where possible, applicants should include brief context regarding the assignment, intended audience, communications objective, and their role in determining the editorial approach. *This is a full-time position. Salary Range: $79,000 - $89,000 annually, based on experience . The successful candidate will work on-site Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Friday. In addition to a rich time off policy, UJA’s offices are closed on all Jewish holy days (yom tov) and we support early office closures to observe the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat). Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume. Only those applicants invited for interview will be contacted. Please be advised that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of professional references and background checks including Social Media Account(s) and a Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening. Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility: UJA Federation supports a diverse candidate and employment experience. We are proud of our dynamic professional team, which reflects the diversity of the Jewish community and general community alike in Greater Toronto. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all communities. We encourage you to follow us to get regular updates on open roles. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and believe this is essential to ensure that every member of our team can thrive. We adhere to barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.