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
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