Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Collage; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PERT in Montreal seeks a Communications & Public Affairs Manager to lead strategic communications, support government relations, and enhance visibility across channels. The role focuses on translating research into clear materials for members, partners, decision-makers, media, and the public.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer with experience in public affairs, familiar with Québec’s policy environment, and comfortable working in a fast-paced nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, political science, public affairs, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in communications, public affairs, government relations, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Professional working proficiency in French, with the ability to develop and review communications materials in French.
• Demonstrated experience developing communications content for multiple audiences and platforms.
• Experience with digital communications, social media, email marketing, and website content management.
• Strong understanding of Québec’s political, governmental, and institutional environment.
• Excellent writer and editor.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen PERT’s public profile and reach target audiences.
• Contribute to government relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Translate research into accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate media relations and organize events.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure consistent messaging.

Skills

Excellent writer and editor

Strategic thinker

Politically astute

Highly organized

Collaborative

Proactive

Adaptable

Strong writing

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, political science, public affairs, journalism, marketing, or related field

Tools

Digital communications tools

Social media platforms

Email marketing platforms

Website CMS

Job description

Comms Full Time Montreal, QC Hybrid $70,000 - $85,000 CAD per year

The Communications & Public Affairs Manager supports PERT’s communications, public affairs, and government relations activities, with a primary focus on developing and delivering clear, engaging, and strategic communications across the organization.

Working closely with the Director of Public Affairs and colleagues across PERT, the Manager helps translate PERT’s research, programs, and policy priorities into accessible communications for members, partners, decision-makers, media, and the broader public. The Manager manages day-to-day communications activities, supports media and public affairs initiatives, and contributes to government relations through research, monitoring, meeting preparation, and follow-up.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator who can manage multiple priorities, understands the Québec policy and political environment, and is comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Content

• Support the development and implementation of PERT’s communications strategy and annual communications plans, working under the direction of the Director of Public Affairs.
• Manage PERT’s day-to-day communications activities across digital, print, email, and other public-facing channels.
• Draft, edit, and coordinate a wide range of communications materials, including website content, newsletters, social media, organizational announcements, presentations, speeches, briefing materials, and member communications.
• Develop communications plans and content packages to support research releases, programs, events, campaigns, and organizational priorities.
• Work with the Research and Policy team to translate research findings and policy recommendations into clear, accessible, and compelling content for different audiences.
• Ensure consistency in PERT’s messaging, tone, visual identity, and key messages across communications channels.
• Monitor communications performance and prepare regular reports on reach, engagement, audience growth, and other relevant KPIs.
• Identify opportunities to increase PERT’s visibility and engagement with key audiences.

Media & Public Relations

• Support the development and distribution of press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, fact sheets, key messages, speaking points, and other media materials.
• Maintain and update PERT’s media contacts and support proactive media outreach.
• Monitor media coverage and identify relevant news and emerging issues for the Director of Public Affairs and senior leadership.
• Coordinate media requests and support the preparation of spokespeople for interviews and public appearances.
• Help identify opportunities to proactively promote PERT’s research, programs, expertise, and perspectives in the media.
• Support media monitoring and maintain records of media coverage and organizational visibility.

Government Relations & Public Affairs

• Support the Director of Public Affairs in implementing PERT’s government relations and public affairs strategy.
• Monitor political, legislative, and policy developments relevant to PERT’s mandate and flag emerging issues and opportunities.
• Conduct background research on elected officials, government departments, public servants, political parties, and policy stakeholders to support government engagement.
• Prepare briefing materials, meeting notes, profiles, speaking points, and follow-up documentation for government and stakeholder meetings.
• Assist with coordinating meetings with elected officials, public servants, and other policy stakeholders, including scheduling, preparation, and follow-up.
• Maintain accurate records of government relations activities, contacts, meetings, and follow-up actions.
• Attend selected government, policy, and sector events alongside the Director of Public Affairs and represent PERT when appropriate.
• Support the development and execution of public affairs campaigns and stakeholder outreach initiatives.

Events & Organizational Visibility

• Support the planning and delivery of PERT’s public events, including report launches, announcements, conferences, consultations, and institutional gatherings.
• Coordinate communications and promotional activities associated with events.
• Prepare event materials, invitations, presentations, speaking notes, signage, and other communications assets.
• Support event logistics, vendor coordination, participant communications, and on-site delivery.
• Help ensure PERT’s events reinforce the organization’s public profile, mandate, and strategic priorities.

Internal Communications & Coordination

• Support clear and consistent internal communications across PERT.
• Coordinate with program, research, policy, and operations teams to identify communications needs and develop appropriate materials.
• Maintain communications calendars, content schedules, contact lists, and other organizational tools.
• Provide communications advice and support to colleagues developing public-facing materials.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of organizational communications templates, guidelines, and processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, public relations, political science, public affairs, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in communications, public affairs, government relations, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Professional working proficiency in French, with the ability to develop and review communications materials in French.
• Demonstrated experience developing communications content for multiple audiences and platforms.
• Experience with digital communications, social media, email marketing, and website content management.
• Experience monitoring media, political, or policy developments.
• Strong understanding of Québec’s political, governmental, and institutional environment.
• Experience supporting media relations, government relations, stakeholder engagement, or public affairs is an asset.
• Experience working in a non-profit, public policy, community, or advocacy environment is an asset.
• Excellent writer and editor: Able to turn complex information into clear, concise, and compelling communications.
• Strategic thinker: Understands how individual communications activities contribute to broader organizational objectives.
• Politically astute: Able to understand political and policy dynamics and identify potential opportunities and risks.
• Highly organized: Able to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Collaborative: Comfortable working across teams and building strong relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Proactive: Identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and follows projects through to completion.
• Adaptable: Comfortable responding to changing priorities and emerging issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail: Ensures accuracy, consistency, and quality across communications and public-facing materials.

What You’ll Do

The Communications & Public Affairs Manager will play an important role in strengthening PERT’s public profile and ensuring its research, programs, and priorities reach the people and institutions that can act on them. While communications will be the primary focus of the role, the Manager will also gain meaningful exposure to government relations, public affairs, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.

This is an opportunity for an experienced communications professional who wants to take on greater responsibility, develop their public affairs expertise, and contribute to an organization working to improve employment and economic outcomes for Québec’s English-speaking community.