Senior Bilingual Writer

Universities Canada (UC) is the voice of Canadian universities, at home and abroad. We are a membership organization providing university presidents with a unified voice for higher education, research and innovation. Universities Canada advances the mission of our member institutions to transform lives, strengthen communities and find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our world. As one of Canada’s premier advocacy organizations, we are seeking an accomplished results-oriented Senior Bilingual Writer.

Reporting to the Director, Communications, the Senior Bilingual Writer produces clear, compelling content in French and English across advocacy, public, member, internal, and executive channels ensuring alignment with organization’s priorities, tone, and national perspective. Working closely with senior leadership, the Senior Bilingual Writer drafts and refines high-profile materials, including executive speeches, presentations, advocacy content, public reports and campaign assets. The role works collaboratively with internal communications, government relations, policy and translation teams to support the development and adaptation of communications content that are clear, strategically aligned, accessible, impactful and consistent with editorial standards.

Your responsibilities will include;

• Draft and adapt high-quality content in both French and English across a range of formats, including speeches, presentations, op-eds, reports, advocacy materials, and digital content.
• Translate complex policy, advocacy, and program information into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Develop and refine executive communications, including speaking notes, briefing materials, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Support preparation for external events, speaking engagements, and international missions through tailored content and briefing packages.
• Partner with government relations, policy and advocacy teams to develop and edit communications products, ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with organizational messaging.
• Review and revise materials produced across the organization to ensure consistency in tone, accessibility, and editorial quality.
• Contribute to the development of messaging and content that supports advocacy initiatives, including audience-facing materials such as key messages and summaries.
• Support public campaigns and communications initiatives by developing and adapting narrative content across channels.
• Collaborate with translation services to draft original French content or refine translated materials, ensuring accuracy, tone, and consistency.
• Provide editorial guidance on bilingual content, including tone, register, and audience appropriateness in both official languages.
• Contribute to member-facing and internal communications, ensuring alignment across executive, advocacy, and organizational messaging.
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies and contribute to consistent, high-quality communications practices across the organization.

The ideal person for this job will have the following;

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public affairs, or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience

• 5 years of progressive professional writing experience.
• Experience producing original, published, high-quality French-language communications, including French-first materials.
• Experience adapting content for francophone audiences in different regional and institutional contexts across Canada.
• Proven experience supporting executive communications and advocacy-oriented content.
• Strong portfolio of bilingual writing.
• Experience working with translation teams or bilingual production workflows is a strong asset.
• Experience in public, nonprofit, policy, or member-based organizations is an asset.
• Knowledge of international post-secondary education sector is an asset.

Abilities

• Exceptional writing and editing skills in French and English. Bilingualism is required;
• Strong editorial judgment, political acuity, and sensitivity to tone.
• Ability to determine appropriate language production approaches for different communications needs.
• Ability to craft persuasive narratives that support advocacy, policy, and executive positioning across diverse audiences.
• Ability to synthesize complex information quickly and accurately.
• Strong research and analytical skills to support accurate narrative development
• Strong interpersonal and consultative skills.
• Ability to work directly with senior leaders and executive offices.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.

The position is based in Ottawa. Universities Canada has adopted a hybrid work model where employees are expected to work in the office a minimum of two days a week.

The hiring range for this position is from $68,685 to $78,000; with the ability to progress to a maximum of $94,443. To ensure fair and equitable pay at Universities Canada, placement on the salary range will be based on years of experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the position. Candidates who do not meet all of the position requirements may be considered in an underfill capacity, in which case the candidate would be hired at a lower level than the position level.

Universities Canada is a National Capital Region Top Employer. We offer a comprehensive benefit package which includes four weeks of vacation, an attractive pension plan, group insurance, free gym membership and scholarships for children of our employees.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their curriculum vitae and a cover letter to the human resources service, Universities Canada, via email at [email protected] by June 8, 2026.