Canada’s National Observer is hiring a Director of Operations
Reports to: Linda Solomon Wood, Publisher/CEO
Compensation range: $90,0000 – $100,000 annually
Location: Vancouver
Term: Full-time, permanent
Status: Management role in a unionized workplace (this position is excluded from the bargaining unit)
About Canada’s National Observer
What began at a dining room table in Vancouver in 2008 is now one of Canada’s most decorated independent newsrooms.
Observer Media Group launched Vancouver Observer first, then Canada’s National Observer in 2015, betting that excellent reporting and accountability journalism could thrive outside legacy media.
In 2017, CNO became the first digital-only publication in Canadian history to win a National Newspaper Award and receive a Michener citation for public service journalism. “The little engine that could,” then-Governor General David Johnston called it.
Today, CNO covers Canada’s changing climate from newsrooms in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, with more than 35,000 articles published. Last year we launched Civic Searchlight — our popular “superpower for democracy” — and earned ten new journalism award nominations this spring alone, including the inaugural Hinton Award for AI Safety Reporting from the Canadian Journalism Foundation.
The Role
Canada’s National Observer seeks a Director of Operations with the management and operational expertise to support the next phase of our award-winning journalism.
This is a role for someone who values independent media and takes pride in building the kind of steady, well-run organization that lets our journalists focus on their work.
The Profile
- You have a post-secondary degree in business administration, communications or a related field
- You have a genuine interest in the future of Canadian journalism and the climate transition
- You have 5-7 years experience working in HR, admin, and financial coordination
- You are a clear, effective communicator who can handle formal reporting and internal team needs with equal professionalism
- You handle sensitive financial and personnel data with absolute discretion and attention to detail
Core Responsibilities
- HR, labour relations and employee support
- Grants, funding applications and management
- Business administration & finance
- Institutional partnerships & revenue
- Executive support
What we Offer
- Sun Life extended health package
- Employer matching RSP
- One month of vacation, personal and sick days and equipment allowance
- Career development
How to apply — Please read carefully
Upload your resume and a cover letter to the Bamboo HR Portal.
Requirements before applying: read Canada’s National Observer and explore the site. Sign up for our newsletters. It costs $1 to subscribe for a month — subscribe and see how things work.
A note on AI: Do not send us an AI-generated CV and cover letter. We want to hear your voice and see your work experience laid out clearly. In your cover letter, make it clear why you’d want to work for Canada’s National Observer.
You are the right person for this role if you are an excellent communicator with 5-7 years of experience in HR (labour relations), business administration and media.
This post will remain open until we find the right candidate.
Learn more about the position and how to apply on the Bamboo HR Portal.
Canada’s National Observer is committed to building a team that reflects the country we cover. We actively welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, and racialized candidates, women, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.
Our Vancouver newsroom is located on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the land we live on inspires the work we do.
