Senior Advisor Media Relations (Issues Management)

McGill University; Eeyou Istchee James Bay; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian university is seeking a Senior Advisor for Media Relations. In this full-time role, you will lead communications initiatives, manage media relations, and counsel senior administrators on sensitive issues. The ideal candidate has at least five years of media relations experience, strong crisis management skills, and is bilingual in French and English. A competitive benefits package and the opportunity for remote work are included.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Defined contribution pension plan

Tuition waiver for employees and dependents

Remote work options

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in media relations or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex reputational issues involving multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development of McGill’s communications vision.
• Lead proactive media relations strategies.
• Provide counsel on complex issues to senior administrators.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis management

Communication strategies

Bilingual proficiency in French and English

Education

Undergraduate degree in communications or related field

Job description

Overview

Position Summary: Reporting to the Director, Issues Management within the Communications and Institutional Relations (CIR) unit, the Senior Advisor, Media Relations leads proactive, efficient and well-integrated communications initiatives that support McGill’s institutional reputation. Together with the Director, the incumbent helps shape strategies and tactics to mitigate reputational risk and ensure crisis preparedness. This includes managing media relations resources and providing counsel to senior administrators on sensitive issues.

Primary Responsibilities

• Together with the Director, support the development and implementation of McGill’s institutional communications vision.
• Provide leadership and work closely with senior administrators, Faculties and Units to develop and implement effective external communications strategies and tactics.
• Assess best communications practices and act as an agent of change at McGill by providing recommendations to maximize operational efficiency.

Media Relations

• Lead proactive media relations strategies that seize opportunities, strengthen, preserve and build upon the reputation of the University, and support its mission, values and priorities.
• Manage media relations resources and activities, including events and briefings.
• Act as the University’s spokesperson when delegated by the Director.
• Build and maintain strong and productive relationships with journalists, media outlets, and opinion leaders.

Issues Management

• Evaluate the external communications landscape across traditional and digital media to identify opportunities and emerging issues related to the University’s mission, values and priorities.
• Conduct strategic analysis of reputational risks, including mapping of internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide timely, evidence-based counsel to senior administrators on complex and sensitive issues, including the likely communications effects of operational and policy decisions and approaches to address them.
• Oversee the development of scenarios, protocols, and communication plans in support of institutional crisis preparedness.
• Support the University’s communications in urgent situations, including those where the security of the McGill community is threatened; this requires knowledge of applicable protocols and procedures, and availability outside of regular business hours as needed.
• Act as a key advisor and delegate for the Director, where appropriate.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Undergraduate degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in media relations, issues management, or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-stakes reputational issues involving multiple stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and political acuity.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and find common ground with internal and external partners at all levels, to ensure full alignment of communications initiatives.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to synthesize complex information into clear, compelling messaging.
• Proven ability to exercise a high degree of confidentiality when handling sensitive or privileged information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines and in high-pressure contexts.
• Full bilingual proficiency in French and English

Benefits and Work Perks

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before Applying and Language Requirements

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Job Details

• Minimum Education and Experience: Undergraduate degree and 5 years related experience.
• Annual Salary: (MPEX Grade 06) $80,510.00 - $100,640.00 - $120,770.00
• Job Profile: MPEX-COM3A - Internal External Relations - Senior Professional/Manager
• Hours per Week: 33.75 (Full time)
• Supervisor: Director, Issues Management
• Position End Date (If applicable):
• Deadline to Apply: 2025-09-28

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].