Director, Communications

Boat Rocker Media; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company seeks a Director of Communications to enhance visibility and secure media coverage across diverse platforms. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in media relations and a passion for storytelling. Responsibilities include developing communication strategies, managing media inquiries, and leading trade advertising efforts. The role requires exceptional writing skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and time zones.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare and dental benefits

Additional time off during winter holidays

In-person/remote hybrid work environment

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in communications or public relations, ideally in entertainment.
• Proven ability to draft high-impact press materials and lead media campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications strategy to amplify content and brand priorities.
• Act as the main point of contact for all external media inquiries.
• Lead and manage all trade advertising efforts.

Skills

Writing

Media Relations

Strategic Planning

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Job description

Boat Rocker is an independent globalentertainmentcompany whose purpose is to tell stories and build iconic brands across all genres and mediums. With offices around the world, Boat Rocker’s creative and commercial capabilities include Scripted, Unscripted and Kids & Family television production, distribution, brand and franchise management, a world-class animation studio, and talent management through a minority stake in The Initial Group, a new company launched by TPG.Boat Rocker-produced serieshavewon a variety of prestigious industryaccoladesincluding, Emmy, Peabody, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Awards.Recent projects include:Invasion (Apple TV+), Palm Royale (Apple TV+), Video Nasty (BBC Three, Virgin Media, WDR), This Is the Tom Green Documentary (Prime Video), Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), American Rust: Broken Justice (Prime Video), Beacon 23 (MGM+), Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu), Downey's Dream Cars (Max), Orphan Black (BBC AMERICA, CTV Sci-Fi Channel), Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry (Apple TV+), The Next Step (BBC, Corus, CBC), and Dino Ranch (Disney+, Disney Junior, CBC).

The Role:

The Director of Communications candidate is dynamic, strategic, and highly skilled in leading all external communications efforts across our diverse portfolio, including scripted, unscripted, documentary, feature film, and kids & family businesses. This individual must have exceptional writing and be able to own the entire communication process. You’ll be responsible for building visibility and elevating the profile of Boat Rocker by securing strong media coverage and leading trade advertising efforts. You’ll have direct relationships with key trade and industry press, thrive under pressure and can work seamlessly across multiple time zones and teams.

The role reports to the SVP, Content Marketing & Brand Partnerships.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute a proactive communications strategy to amplify Boat Rocker’s content, talent, and brand priorities across the industry.
• Create compelling messaging that reflects the company's vision, accomplishments, and creative strengths, ensuring consistency across all platforms and genres.
• Draft, edit, and finalize all press releases, media alerts, and communications materials to the highest standard.
• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the SVP, Content Marketing & Brand Partnerships and key divisional leaders.
• Identify emerging opportunities to tell Boat Rocker's story and position executives and creative leaders as thought leaders in the industry.

Media Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for all external media inquiries.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, direct relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and trade press across scripted, unscripted, documentary, feature film, and kids & family sectors.
• Proactively secure strategic media placements that drive visibility and business impact.
• Manage media opportunities, including drafting and preparing talking points, Q&A documents, speeches, and media training for executives as needed.

Trade Advertising

• Lead and manage all trade advertising efforts, including strategy development, creative execution, timelines, and budgets.
• Partner with marketing teams and external vendors/agencies to maximize Boat Rocker's presence at key markets, events, and trade publications.

Operational Excellence

• Collaborate cross-functionally across divisions to ensure communications efforts are aligned with overall business objectives.
• Work closely with marketing, brand, and content teams to maximize promotional opportunities around launches, sales activity, and key events.
• Maintain high quality, accuracy, and attention to detail across all communications outputs.
• Provide clear, strategic counsel to executives and teams in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of experience in communications, media relations, or public relations, ideally within the entertainment industry.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to independently draft high-impact press materials.
• Strong, established relationships with trade and industry press across relevant sectors.
• Proven experience leading media campaigns that deliver measurable results.
• Experience managing trade advertising campaigns is strongly preferred.
• High emotional intelligence and outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple time zones.
• Calm under pressure with excellent judgment and organizational skills.
• Passion for television, film, and storytelling across genres.

WHY BOAT ROCKER?

• You’ll work with a team of passionate, creative and fun individuals who have a passion for storytelling
• Competitive salary along with a comprehensive healthcare and dental benefits package, including access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Additional time off during the winter holidays
• In-person/remote hybrid work environment
• Opportunities to connect with teammates across the company both virtually and in-person through team-building events and activities

Boat Rocker is committed to hiring and supporting diverse candidates. We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as being part of an under-represented and equity-deserving group. This would include people whoidentify as racialized, Black, Indigenous, women, LGBTQ2SI+, and having a disability among others. We also recognize the importance of intersectional identities in our hiring and retention.

Boat Rocker Media is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible candidate experience. If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We will work with you to meet your needs.