Manager, External Communications

TVO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Pension Plan

Employee and Family Assistance Plan

Job summary

TVO Media Education Group is seeking a Manager, External Communications to lead media relations and external communications strategy from our Toronto office. This role reports to the Director, Corporate Communications and focuses on increasing awareness of TVO’s educational initiatives.

The successful candidate will bring 7+ years in communications with strong media relations, agency management, and leadership abilities, and will work on cross-functional promotion for TVO Original and TVO Kids

Qualifications

• University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years in communications with a focus on media relations.
• Experience developing holistic strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Experience managing agency relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute innovative communications strategies to drive TVO awareness to external audiences.
• Manage day-to-day media inquiries and build relationships with key media and influencers.
• Drive positive media coverage and tell TVO's stories as a not-for-profit educator.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Audience Development, and Media on holistic promotion plans.
• Lead media strategies for TVO Education products and services.
• Coach and mentor junior team members and support their growth.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Project management

Team collaboration

Deadline-driven

Education

University degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism or related field

Job description

Position Title: Manager, External Communications

Employment Type: Full-time Permanent | Non-Union

Salary range: $87,000.00 - $100,000.00

Division: Growth

Reports To: Director, Corporate Communications

Location: Toronto, Yonge & Eglinton (On-site)

TVO Media Education Group (TVO) is a social impact organization devoted to inspiring learning that changes lives and enriches communities. We are an internationally recognized digital learning organization that strives to engage, inform and educate Ontarians of all ages.

A Culture of Inclusion and Belonging

We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to TVO. We have a diverse workforce and are committed to building a culture within the workplace that brings out the best in everyone. As part of our strategic vision, we have adopted five core values; we embrace change, we value bold thinking, we thrive with diverse voices, we are better together, and we honour our commitments. These values anchor how we work and lay the foundation for a workplace that celebrates differences, encourages self-expression and empowers learning, which we know is a key component to our success.

Who We Are

TVO is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Through our brands, TVO Kids, TVO Today, TVO ILC and TVO Learn, we provide multi-platform educational programming; ground-breaking original documentaries; in-depth public affairs content; the largest online secondary school in Ontario; and award-winning digital-learning resources that support Ontario’s curriculum.

TVO is a registered charity funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and supported by thousands of sponsors and donors.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications, the Manager, External Communications is responsible for building and managing TVO’s public relations strategies, a critical role in the organization’s communications team. We are looking for a creative and daring communications professional who can see the stories that TVO has yet to tell that will engage new audiences with our products and create excitement around the brand. The successful candidate will bring strong media relations skills as part of a well‑rounded communications resume, a desire to coach and mentor, and a “let’s see what is possible” perspective to problem‑solving.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Develop and execute innovative and impactful communications strategies, plans, and campaigns to drive awareness of TVO, as a brand and our properties, to multiple external audiences using a full suite of communications tools and channels.
• Manage day‑to‑day inbound inquiries and build relationships with key media and influencers that result in authentic earned media.
• Drive positive media coverage for TVO initiatives, particularly those that help tell the story of TVO as a media education organization and not-for-profit helping Ontarians learn.
• Partner with peers in Marketing, Audience Development, and Media to develop holistic promotion plans plans, including and beyond earned media, supporting TVO Original, TVOkids and other TVO programming to drive new audiences and profile.
• Lead the development of media strategies and external communications messaging for TVO Education products and services to drive awareness of new initiatives as needed and meet key divisional targets.
• Support TVO executives and divisional leaders with external speaking opportunities and media message preparation.
• Support issues management by monitoring external conversations, developing clear messaging and response strategies to help mitigate reputational risk.
• Oversee preparation of media monitoring reports for campaigns, monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Coach and mentor junior team members and support their overall professional growth.

What You Will Bring To TVO

• University degree (or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in communications, public relations, or related roles with a focus on media relations; agency experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience developing holistic strategies that connect communications work to overall organizational objectives with good knowledge of communications best practices.
• Experience building and executing successful PR strategies.
• Experience managing agency relationships.
• Ability to work well as a member of a team; a mentor, go‑to resource, forward‑thinking go‑getter.
• Ability to “make it happen” and create workarounds where needed.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously and deliver quality work under deadline pressure and changing priorities at times.

TVO & YOU

We are a learning organization. Learning is at the core of everything we do. As part of this commitment, TVO invests in the learning goals of our employees and everyone at TVO commits to developing our own knowledge as well as elevating each other’s through peer‑to‑peer learning, workshops and lunch and learns.

• All employees have the option to join the Public Service Pension Plan right on day one.
• We offer an array of services through our Employee and Family Assistance Plan.

We would be thrilled to have you join us. We’re a tight‑knit community – whether you’re a recent graduate or further along in your career, you will get to meet, work with, and be supported by talented and diverse colleagues at all levels. Maybe you’ll even get to meet Polkaroo!

Please Note

We are hiring for an immediate vacancy on our team and expect to move forward with screening and interviewing candidates shortly after the posting closes.

The posted salary range reflects the target hiring range for the position. Final compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity.

TVO does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision‑making tools to screen, assess, or select candidates. All applications are reviewed by the hiring team.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process (e.g., including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms). If you are seeking accommodations during the application or interview process, please advise us as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made by sending your request to [e-mail].

Find and follow us on: LinkedIn, and X (@TVO).

To learn more about us and our culture, please visit us at https://tvo.me/work-with-us/.