PR and Communications Lead

PR and Communications - Senior - Fulltime

About the opportunity

Our client is hiring a Communications & PR Lead to own media relations and public relations from its downtown Toronto office. The core of the role is earned media: finding the story, pitching it to the right journalists, and landing coverage.

You will be the organization's main point of contact for media. You will build relationships with reporters and editors, manage all incoming inquiries, and protect and strengthen the corporate reputation.

The role suits a strong writer and confident pitcher with 5-10 years of experience, from either a PR agency or an in-house corporate communications team.

Key responsibilities:

Media pitching and earned coverage

• Identify newsworthy stories across the business and shape them into compelling, timely pitches
• Pitch stories to journalists, editors and producers across business, trade, national and broadcast media
• Secure earned coverage, interviews, bylines and feature opportunities
• Build an annual and quarterly media plan aligned with business priorities

Media relations

• Act as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries, managing responses quickly and accurately
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key reporters and outlets
• Prepare spokespeople and executives for interviews with briefing notes, key messages and media training
• Maintain media lists and a media relations database

Corporate PR and reputation

• Lead PR for announcements, launches, milestones, partnerships and leadership news
• Develop issues and crisis communications plans; manage sensitive matters and reputational risk
• Monitor news coverage and industry trends; flag opportunities and risks to leadership
• Support executive visibility through thought leadership, speaking opportunities and awards

Writing and content

• Write press releases, media statements, pitches, Q&As, key messages, bylines and op-eds
• Draft executive communications and speaking notes
• Ensure consistent messaging and tone across all external communications
• Work with digital and social teams to amplify coverage

Measurement and partners

• Track and report on coverage, share of voice, sentiment and campaign results
• Manage PR agency and media monitoring vendors where applicable
• Work closely with leadership, marketing, legal and business teams

What you bring:

Required

• 5-10 years of experience in PR, media relations or corporate communications, at a PR agency, in-house, or both
• A proven track record of pitching stories and securing earned media coverage in top-tier outlets
• Established relationships with journalists, editors and producers, ideally in Canadian business and national media
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a portfolio of press releases, pitches and statements
• Corporate PR experience, including announcements, reputation management and issues or crisis communications
• Experience preparing executives and spokespeople for media interviews
• Strong news judgment: you know what makes a story and which reporter will want it
• Calm, sound judgment under pressure and tight deadlines
• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field

Nice to have

• Agency-side experience managing multiple clients or accounts
• Experience in professional services, financial services or another regulated industry
• Familiarity with media monitoring and database tools
• Background in journalism
• APR certification or French language skills an asset
• Own the media and PR function, with real influence on how the organization is seen
• Direct access to senior leadership and the chance to shape executive visibility
• A visible, high-impact role suited to someone ready to step up from agency or in-house
• Hybrid schedule with one remote day per week, in a central, transit-accessible downtown office