SENIOR ADVISOR, MEDIA RELATIONS

Business Development Bank of Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits including wellness &

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Hybrid work model

Paid vacation

Five personal days

Sick days

Office closed December 25 to January 1

Hybrid work model

Job summary

BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, is seeking a seasoned media relations professional to lead national media initiatives and craft compelling stories that support the organization's business objectives.

Reporting to the Head of Media Relations within the Strategy team, you will manage media requests, build a journalist network across Canada, and advise senior executives on communications in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science or a related field.
• 10 to 15 years of experience in media relations.
• Agency experience strongly desired.
• Experience with a Crown corporation or financial institution is a strong asset.
• Proven ability to gain high-impact media coverage through proactive relationship building.
• Extensive network of Canadian journalists and media contacts.
• Bilingual in French and English with excellent written and verbal skills.
• Strategic thinker with a 360° perspective and ability to connect media opportunities to corporate goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead national media relations initiatives and develop compelling stories.
• Manage issues and provide strategic advice to senior executives.
• Build and maintain a national journalist network across Canada.
• Collaborate with public relations, government relations, social media and stakeholder teams for integrated communications.
• Coordinate proactive and reactive media outreach and announcements.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Public relations

Stakeholder relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism/political science

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Job description

We are banking at another level. Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs. Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

Benefits

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• $750 wellness and health care spending account
• Paid vacation each year
• Five personal days
• Sick days as necessary
• Our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1
• A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book

Ideal Candidate

A highly connected media relations professional with agency experience, a deep understanding of the Canadian media landscape, experience with a financial institution or Crown corporation, excellent judgment, and the ability to turn complex business priorities into compelling stories that drive results.

POSITION OVERVIEW

BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneur.es, is looking for a seasoned media relations professional. Reporting to the Head of Media Relations, you will lead national media relations initiatives, develop compelling stories, manage issues and provide strategic advice to senior executives. As part of BDC's Strategy team, the Media Relations team acts as a lever for corporate strategy by delivering fully integrated 360° communications — public relations, government relations, stakeholder relations and social media — in collaboration with a cohesive team. As a trusted advisor, you will identify opportunities to increase BDC's visibility, strengthen relationships with key journalists and gain relevant media coverage that supports the organization's business objectives. This role is for a strategic communicator with excellent media acumen, a strong national network and experience in complex and highly visible environments.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

• Create proactive and reactive media relations strategies that enhance BDC's visibility and reputation on a national scale.
• Develop media angles, media proposals, key messages, briefing materials, Q&A and other communications.
• Build, maintain and engage a strong network of national and regional journalists, publishers and producers across Canada.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the management team and spokespersons on media engagements.
• Manage media requests.
• Identify and obtain media coverage opportunities that advance corporate priorities and thought leadership objectives.
• Collaborate closely with the public relations, government relations, social media, stakeholder and public affairs teams to deliver communications that are fully integrated and directly linked to corporate strategy.
• Lead external communications announcements and initiatives using a 360° approach that reflects how BDC does communications differently: integrated, strategic, and nationally connected.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science or a related field.
• 10 to 15 years of experience in media relations.
• Experience in an agency is strongly desired.
• Experience with a Crown corporation or financial institution is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated track record of gaining high-impact media coverage through proactive approaches and relationship development.
• Extensive network of journalists and media contacts in national, regional, business and specialized media in Canada.
• Demonstrated experience in advising senior executives and members of management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in French and English.
• Strategic thinking, 360° perspective, and ability to connect media opportunities to broader corporate and business goals.
• Strong collaboration, resourcefulness and ease working under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

WHY BDC

Help shape the national conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth. To support the media relations efforts of one of Canada's most recognized and influential Crown corporations. Work alongside talented communications professionals in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Take advantage of flexible work arrangements and the opportunity to make a measurable impact.

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work.

If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail].

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.

BDC is a bank unlike any other. We are the only bank dedicated exclusively to the development of Canadian businesses. The only institution whose purpose is to promote the growth of the Canadian economy by focusing on the success of small and medium-sized businesses, with a human touch and a genuine presence. At BDC, we’re changing people’s and businesses’ lives for the better. That’s what makes us unique as a bank. That’s why we are banking at another level.