The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canadians. As a registered charity, we publish independent fact-based journalism and produce national ideas-focused events. The Walrus and its strong community of supporters are invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens.

POSITIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY HIRING FOR:

• CIBC Digital Fellowship for Emerging Black Journalists (November 1 deadline)
• Fact Checker (November 11 deadline)
• Senior Manager, Philanthropy (Open until position is filled)

---

The CIBC Digital Fellowship for Emerging Black Journalists

We are currently accepting applications for the CIBC Digital Fellowship for Emerging Black Journalists. This paid, twelve-month fellowship is a digital journalism and production opportunity for early-career journalists who identify as Black.

An early-career Black Canadian journalist will be trained on the skills and tools required to conceptualize, produce, and share storytelling across a variety of digital formats and channels. The successful candidate will be surrounded by a strong professional network and will be mentored in editorial, art, digital, and non-profit management skills to equip them for a successful career in Canadian journalism and media, with an eye toward uncovering the social issues that matter to our collective future.

The digital fellow will work with the digital department and report to the digital director, but will engage closely with other departments across the organization to produce and support our digital content and products. Focused mentorship will be provided, which will involve discussion of the digital fellow’s professional goals and needs, including coaching on pitching, production, and career development.

To qualify as an early-career journalist, the candidate must have no more than three years of professional experience in journalism or related fields. This is a full-time position and not intended for those who are in school full-time.

This fellowship is supported by the CIBC Foundation, which serves CIBC’s commitment to creating a world without limits to ambition.

Responsibilities

Depending on the skills, experience, and interests of the successful candidate, responsibilities can include:

• Receive training on and pitch, develop, and produce digital content, including videos, podcasts, emails and newsletters, social content, digital features, and complementary content
• Receive training on and plan, launch, report on, and optimize digital campaigns
• Collaborate with writers, editors, fact-checkers, and designers, as well as coordinate with other departments to successfully execute events, increase audience engagement, and fundraise to produce, publish, and support digital content
• Ideate, wireframe, and produce digital designs, formats, and templates
• Participate in education and networking events, such as fact-checking, editing, and career development workshops

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of digital journalism
• Strong organizational, communication, and writing skills, with attention to detail
• A “can do” and learning-oriented mindset
• Desire to work both independently and within a team environment
• Knowledge of WordPress, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is an asset but not required
• Web and responsive design is an asset but not required
• Image editing and design is an asset but not required
• Audio and video editing and production is an asset but not required
• Social media content production and management is an asset but not required

Compensation and Benefits

This one-year position pays $800 per week for a thirty-five-hour work week. The successful candidate will receive 10 days of annual vacation, plus statutory holidays. We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break.

The Walrus supports hybrid and remote work, and offers a collaborative office environment in downtown east Toronto. A laptop will be provided, along with a free subscription to the print or digital edition of The Walrus, and a deeply discounted rate for family and friends.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and three samples of your digital content and/or journalism work to careers@thewalrus.ca with the following subject line: “CIBC Digital Fellowship for Emerging Black Journalists: [your name].” The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 1, 2024. The fellowship is expected to begin in November/December 2024.

In your cover letter, please include answers to the following questions:

• What are your strongest skills that are relevant for this fellowship? How have you applied these skills in the past and what was the end result?
• What is a specific goal you hope to accomplish by the end of the fellowship?
• What publications do you think are doing exciting things online? How and why?

The Walrus supports diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace as we work to fulfill our educational mandate. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, people of all genders, and the LGBTQ2+ community. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at careers@thewalrus.ca.

This job is based in Toronto or remote (anywhere in Canada). Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada to qualify. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and they may be asked to provide references. Thank you for your interest.

---

Fact Checker

The Walrus is seeking a full-time fact checker to join our editorial team. This is a staff position and is suited for a trained editorial fact checker with experience working in a fast-paced environment on a variety of long-form journalism.

The fact checker will primarily be responsible for fact-checking contributing writer features, along with other stories—investigative features, first-person essays, stories of a sensitive nature—as needed. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of editorial fact-checking methods.

The fact checker will also help train and mentor editorial fellows alongside the head of research. They will have the opportunity to attend story meetings and contribute to editorial planning sessions.

The fact checker will report to the head of research, and work with members of the editorial team. The fact checker should have a working knowledge of The Walrus ethics and verification standards. They should also be familiar with the organization’s educational mandate, and support the inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility goals of The Walrus.

Responsibilities

• Fact-check contributing writer stories, as well as other editorial content
• Assist with the training and mentorship of editorial fellows
• Assist with reviewing the fact-checking work of fellows and freelancers
• Help maintain and expand The Walrus ethics and verification standards
• Assist the head of research with additional tasks as needed

Qualifications and Experience

• Fluent in English (additional language fluency is an asset)
• A minimum of three years of editorial fact-checking experience is required, preferably with long-form journalism and/or at a magazine (online and/or print). Experience in post-publication fact checking and other types of editorial or academic research will not be counted toward the requisite fact-checking experience.
• Working knowledge of the fact-checking methodology, principles, and verification standards articulated in The Truth in Journalism Fact-Checking Guide
• Knowledgeable in the use of various research tools, such as LexisNexis
• A critical eye and attention to detail are a must
• A strong work ethic, as well as the ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
• Familiarity with Trello, Salesforce, and Adobe Suite applications (namely Acrobat and InDesign) are an asset
• Interest in current affairs and the news cycle

Compensation and benefits

The compensation package includes a competitive base salary of $52,000-$55,000, with a full benefits package consisting of medical, dental, vision, prescription, mental health coverage, employee and family assistance program, and paid vacation. We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break.

The Walrus supports flexible, hybrid work, including a collaborative, open office environment in downtown east Toronto. A laptop will be provided, along with a free subscription to the print or digital edition of The Walrus, and a deeply discounted rate for family and friends.

Compensation and benefits

Please send a cover letter and resumé to careers@thewalrus.ca with the following subject line: “Fact Checker: [your name].” The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, November 11. Interviews will take place over Zoom in late November. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The start date for this position is Monday, January 6, 2025.

The Walrus is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and racialized people; people with disabilities; people of all genders; and the LGBTQ2+ community. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at careers@thewalrus.ca.

This job is based in Toronto or remote (anywhere in Canada), and the successful candidate will be required to work hours in Eastern Time (ET). Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada to qualify.

Thank you for your interest.

---

Senior Manager, Philanthropy

Working within our current strategic plan, which emphasizes sustainability and deepening Canada’s conversation(s), we are building our development team to increase philanthropic revenue to support our core journalism while strengthening donor and stakeholder relationships.

The Senior Manager, Philanthropy is a seasoned, experienced fundraising expert who will hold significant responsibility for executing a major gifts strategy with respect to individuals, foundations, corporate philanthropy, grantmaking, and fundraising events. They will identify opportunities to connect philanthropy with journalism, raising new revenue and fostering long-term relationships with funders, with an emphasis on bringing in revenue at the five-figure and six-figure levels.

The Senior Manager, Philanthropy will report to the Head of Philanthropy, and, day-to-day, will work closely with the Donor Relations Officer and the Annual Giving Officer, as well as with the executive director, editorial staff, and volunteer board members. Like all positions at The Walrus, this is a hands-on role, with exciting opportunities to shape the future of Canada’s journalism, storytelling and conversations on the most critical topics of the moment.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donations ranging from donations from $5,000 to $100,000, some being multi-year
• Conduct meetings with prospects and donors and establish a monthly quota for research and proposal submissions, resulting in new philanthropic revenue
• Propose and launch new friend-raising and fundraising strategies and tactics to build a strong supporter base
• Ensure excellent stewardship practices for donors, including personalized updates, reports and related follow-up
• Strengthen engagement with and appreciation for fact-based storytelling and conversation through new stewardship and engagement opportunities for donors
• Conduct data mining and prospect research using our central CRM, research and giving platforms (Salesforce, iwave, Darwin and Canada Helps)
• Conduct prospect research and strategize approaches based on event attendance lists for The Walrus Gala, The Walrus Talks and leadership events, and other events
• Plan and oversee aspects of our major annual fundraiser, The Walrus Gala, in collaboration with the development team
• Produce succinct, well-written and confidential snapshots, profiles, and briefing documents to inform fundraising activity at the executive and board level
• Develop and maintain important reporting and tracking protocols to provide information and data internally and externally, and ensure consistent documentation
• Self-manage some administration for event management, fundraising and prospecting
• Monitor and report on trends within individual, foundation, and corporate philanthropy

Qualifications

• At least six years of experience in a comparable role
• Demonstrated success in soliciting major donations, and in working with senior staff and volunteers to develop a fundraising plan and strategies for key prospects
• Understands and has relationships in the donor community in Canada
• Self-starter, able to think creatively, adept problem solver; ability to manage multiple projects with minimum supervision
• Ability to write compelling, strategic funding proposals and reports that have resulted in funding, with a strong attention to detail
• Excellent oral, written, and virtual communication skills - ability to respond to communications and requests in a timely fashion
• Experience in managing and executing fundraising events or similar events
• A growth mindset and desire to advance Canada’s conversation by championing philanthropy at The Walrus
• Ability to work evenings for The Walrus events as required, and to attend weekly team meetings at our Toronto office
• Ability to work both independently and participate collaboratively in a small, fast-paced and lean team environment

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation package includes a competitive base salary ($85,000 - $95,000) and a full benefits package consisting of medical, dental, vision, prescription, and paid vacation. It also includes flexible, hybrid work, including a collaborative office environment in downtown east Toronto. We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break. This salary range is part of our equity and pay band work, and is non-negotiable as a result.

How to Apply

Please consider joining our team if you have a commitment to a career in fundraising and are interested in elevating our work to produce exceptional journalism. To apply, please send your resumé and cover letter with “Senior Manager, Philanthropy” in the subject line to careers@thewalrus.ca. Deadline extended until position is filled, and candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are welcome to share a portfolio if they have one.

The application deadline may be extended until the position is filled.

The Walrus supports diversity and inclusion in our work. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people, people with disabilities, people of all genders, and LGBTQ2+ people.

If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at careers@thewalrus.ca