Manager, Communications - Media Relations

Canada Life; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 78,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Development

Health & Wellness

Time Off

Financial Security

Rewards & Recognition

Community & ERGs

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking a Manager, Communications - Media Relations to lead external communications and media strategy, shaping messaging that supports business objectives and strengthens reputation across our product and community initiatives.

Reporting to the AVP, Communications, this role requires 7+ years in communications, exceptional writing and leadership, and the ability to coordinate with stakeholders across multiple offices.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in communications with 7+ years of experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing and communications planning skills.
• Proven experience leading media relations and public relations initiatives.
• Strong project leadership, coordinating multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Ability to influence across teams and geographic locations.
• Strong judgment and decision-making when handling sensitive matters.
• Highly organized with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 is an asset.
• Media relations experience in financial services is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with business and Community Relations leaders and provide strategic communications counsel.
• Identify proactive opportunities to generate positive earned media and promote Canada Life's expertise and impact.
• Monitor emerging issues and reputational risks; help develop communications strategies and responses.
• Manage media relations activities including inquiries, interviews, releases and thought leadership.
• Lead communications projects from concept through execution and evaluation.
• Collaborate across Communications and other business areas for consistent messaging across channels.
• Support a collaborative, high-performing team culture by sharing expertise.

Skills

Writing & editing

Media relations

Project leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Relationship building

Decision-making

Organization skills

SharePoint Online

Microsoft 365

Financial services media

Education

Post-secondary education in communications

Tools

SharePoint Online

Microsoft 365

Job description

Permanent Full Time

We are looking for a Manager, Communications - Media Relations

Reporting to the AVP, Communications, Media and Stakeholder Relations, you will help develop and execute external communications strategies for Canada Life. Your primary focus will be leading media and public relations activities that support business objectives, strengthen Canada Life's reputation and increase awareness of our products, services and community impact. You will also contribute to broader communications initiatives, including internal communications, issues management and thought leadership programs as needed.

In this fast-paced and complex environment, you will work to make a difference as a collaborative member of our Communications team.

What You Will Do

• Build strong relationships with business and Community Relations leaders and provide strategic communications counsel that supports business objectives and reputation goals.
• Identify proactive opportunities to generate positive earned media and promote Canada Life's expertise, leadership and community impact.
• Monitor emerging issues and reputational risks, helping to develop communications strategies and responses when required.
• Manage media relations activities, including media inquiries, interview coordination, spokesperson preparation, news releases, public announcements and thought leadership opportunities.
• Lead communications projects from concept through execution, including strategy development, stakeholder alignment, content creation, approvals, implementation and post-project evaluation.
• Partner with colleagues across Communications and other business areas to ensure consistent messaging, positioning, timing and audience considerations across channels.
• Support a collaborative, high-performing team culture by sharing expertise, and contributing to team priorities.

What You Will Bring

• Post-secondary education related to communications, along with 7+ years of communications experience. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Exceptional writing, editing and communications planning skills, with experience developing strategies for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading media relations and public relations initiatives, including news releases and media events.
• Strong project leadership skills, with experience independently managing complex communications initiatives from planning to completion while coordinating multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Excellent relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and work effectively across teams, functions and geographic locations.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, particularly when managing sensitive, confidential or reputationally significant matters.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 tools would be considered an asset.
• Media relations experience within financial services, wealth management, insurance or other regulated industries would be considered an asset.

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: Montreal, London, Toronto, or Winnipeg.

The base salary for this position is between $78,000 - $144,300 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Canada Life

We're united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We're looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver - for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

What we offer

We're committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here's what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member:

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to$2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness:Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
• Time Off:In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security:Company-matching pension plan,share ownership program and additionalinvestment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

Learn more about Canada Life.

We're committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [e-mail]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.