The Canadian Fuels Association (CFA) is an association of major Canadian companies involved in the refining, distribution, and/or marketing of transportation fuels. The Association’s work focuses on advocating public policy and regulation that serves the long-term interests of the Canadian consumer and of the Canadian ‘downstream’ fuels industry. Association advocacy activities emphasize informed environment, health and safety policy development that recognizes the current and future importance of petroleum fuels to Canada’s economy and competitiveness, and Canadians’ standard of living.

The Association operates through offices in Ottawa and Calgary. This position is preferably based in the Association’s Ottawa office. For candidates residing in the National Capital Region, this is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of two days per week in the office. Alternatively, the ideal candidate may be based in Calgary, and work entirely remotely.

General Description:

CFA is seeking an experienced and strategic communications professional to join its Communications & Outreach team as Director, Communications & Outreach.

Reporting to the Association’s Vice-President, Communications & Outreach, and working in a team environment, the Director, Communications and Outreach will lead the planning and execution of the integrated communications strategies that strengthen the understanding of Canada’s transportation fuels sector, support CFA’s priorities and increase the reach and impact of the Association’s communications.

The Director, Communications & Outreach will provide senior-level communications leadership across CFA’s public-facing activities, translating complex industry, policy and technical issues into clear, credible and compelling communications for a range of audiences.

Working collaboratively across CFA and with member companies and external partners, the Director, Communication and Outreach will help ensure communications are timely, evidence-based and responsive to an evolving policy, economic and public environment. The successful candidate will bring strong strategic judgment, exceptional communications skills and the ability to move effectively between long-term planning and day-to-day execution.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications Leadership

- Lead the development and implementation of strategic communications programs aligned with CFA priorities, objectives and emerging issues.
- Lead the development and implementation of the “Fuel Forward” awareness campaign strategy and manage its day-to-day activities.
- Develop integrated content and editorial calendars that connect Fuel Forward, CFA institutional channels,



member content and targeted communications programs.
- Translate complex policy, regulatory, technical and industry information into clear, accessible and compelling communications for public, stakeholder and government audiences.
- Identify opportunities for targeted communications programs that support Board priorities, government relations objectives, member engagement and emerging issues.
- Promote consistent communications processes, templates and standards across the organization and help identify opportunities to improve efficiency and collaboration.

Content, Digital and Audience Growth

- Lead content development for “Fuel Forward” and related CFA communications, including campaign messaging, digital ad copy, social media content, web content and other public-facing materials.
- Oversee the weekly production and distribution of Engine 13 – the association’s weekly newsletter – including editorial planning, content development, quality control and audience engagement.
- Develop strategies to grow and strengthen CFA’s permission-based subscriber database and increase engagement with CFA-owned communications channels.
- Plan and coordinate organic and paid digital communications activities across appropriate platforms, working with external partners where specialized production or media-buying expertise is required.
- Ensure content is effectively repurposed across channels to increase reach, consistency and value from CFA-owned content and research.

Research, Analytics and Performance

- Integrate public opinion research, message testing and audience insights into communications strategy, content planning and campaign positioning.
- Analyze campaign, newsletter, website, social media and paid-media performance data to identify trends, improve content and inform resource allocation.
- Establish and track meaningful communications performance measures, with emphasis on engaged reach, audience quality, subscriber growth and campaign effectiveness.
- Prepare concise performance updates, recommendations and presentations for CFA leadership, committees and the Board as required.

Vendor and Project Management

- Manage external partners supporting public opinion research, creative production, paid-media planning and placement,



and other specialized communications services.
- Develop clear scopes of work, manage budgets and timelines, assess performance and ensure external support remains aligned with CFA strategy and priorities.
- Coordinate multiple projects and campaign activities simultaneously while maintaining quality, consistency and timely delivery.

Member and Cross-Functional Engagement

- Work closely with CFA’s Government Relations department, technical staff and CFA leadership to align communications with association priorities and policy developments.
- Build effective working relationships with CFA members to identify stories, projects, proof points and content that strengthen industry communications.
- Support media, stakeholder and issues management activities as required, including development of key messages, briefing materials, presentations and rapid response communications.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

- Minimum 12 years of progressively senior experience in strategic communications, corporate communications, marketing, public affairs, government communications or a related field.
- Experience in the energy, transportation fuels, natural resources, infrastructure or other asset-intensive industry is an asset.
- Post-secondary degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, political science, business or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and senior-level experience.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to distill complex policy, technical and business issues into clear, audience-appropriate communications.
- Strong strategic judgment and experience developing communications plans that support organizational, policy or advocacy objectives.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities, budgets, vendors and senior stakeholders in a fast-moving workplace.
- Strong understanding of digital communications, social media, content strategy and performance measurement.

Preferred Skills and Experience

- Experience working in a corporate environment, government or a complex public affairs / policy organization.
- Experience planning or managing digital communications, public awareness or audience-acquisition campaigns is an asset.
- Experience using public opinion research and audience insights to inform communications strategy and message development.
- Knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial public policy and regulatory environments.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across functions and with senior leadership.
- Bilingualism in English and French is considered an asset.

📌 Director, Communications & Outreach (Ottawa)
🏢 Canadian Fuels Association - Association canadienne des carburants
📍 Ottawa