Senior Communications Manager

Kelly; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly is seeking a Senior Manager, Communications for maternity leave coverage in Toronto. The role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution across PR, internal comms, executive comms, and reputation management for a portfolio of consumer brands.

The ideal candidate has agency background, exceptional writing, and deep Canadian media relationships. You will partner with senior leaders, manage budgets and agencies, and drive stakeholder engagement while shaping brand narratives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of Communications, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, or Public Affairs experience.
• Strong experience in a Toronto-based PR agency environment.
• Demonstrated success managing communications for consumer-facing brands.
• Proven portfolio management across multiple brands and initiatives.
• Deep understanding of the Canadian media landscape with established media relationships.
• Significant experience in crisis communications, reputation management, media relations, and issues management.
• Strong experience managing PR budgets, agency relationships, and resources.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; strong writing ability is an absolute must-have.
• Experience developing executive-level and internal communications.
• Excellent presentation skills supporting executive leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of integrated PR and communications strategies to enhance brand reputation.
• Manage communications across a diverse portfolio of consumer brands.
• Develop compelling brand stories and customer-facing messaging to drive earned media.
• Leverage relationships within the Canadian media landscape across traditional, digital, trade, and influencer channels.
• Identify trends and proactively propose innovative communications opportunities.
• Provide expert counsel during crisis situations and reputational challenges.
• Develop crisis plans, messages, and stakeholder communications.
• Support senior leaders for media inquiries and high-profile situations.
• Create executive and internal communications including leadership announcements and town halls.
• Manage external agencies, budgets, resources, and performance metrics.

Skills

Agency-trained PR

Brand communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Employee engagement

Stakeholder management

Writing & editing

Budget & agency management

Internal communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Photoshop

MS Office

Job description

Contract: September 21, 2026 - December 31, 2027 (Maternity Leave Coverage)

Monday to Friday | 37.5 Hours/Week

Lead Communications That Shape Brands, Influence Audiences, and Support Executive Leadership

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Manager, Communications to join a leading Consumer Health organization for a maternity leave coverage opportunity. This is a true end-to-end communications role for an experienced communications professional who can seamlessly balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.

We're looking for an agency-trained PR leader with deep expertise in brand communications, media relations, crisis management, executive communications, and employee engagement. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of the Canadian media landscape, exceptional writing abilities, and a proven track record of supporting high-profile brands and senior executives.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead communications strategy and execution across public relations, internal communications, executive communications, and reputation management
• Partner directly with senior executives and serve as a trusted communications advisor
• Drive communications initiatives for a portfolio of established consumer brands
• Own agency relationships, communications budgets, media strategies, and performance measurement
• Make a visible impact across the organization through strategic storytelling and stakeholder engagement

Key Responsibilities

Public Relations & Brand Communications

• Lead the development and execution of integrated PR and communications strategies that enhance and protect brand reputation.
• Manage communications across a diverse portfolio of consumer brands.
• Develop compelling brand stories and customer-focused messaging to drive earned media opportunities.
• Leverage strong relationships within the Canadian media landscape, including traditional, digital, trade, and influencer channels.
• Identify emerging trends and proactively recommend innovative communications opportunities.

Crisis Communications & Media Management

• Provide expert counsel during crisis situations, sensitive issues, and reputational challenges.
• Develop crisis communication plans, key messages, response materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Support and prepare senior leaders for media inquiries and high-profile communications situations.
• Manage reactive and proactive media relations initiatives.

Executive & Internal Communications

• Develop and execute executive communications strategies for senior leadership.
• Draft executive-level communications including:
• Leadership announcements
• Change management communications
• Employee updates
• Town Hall messaging
• Sensitive organizational communications
• Presentation content and speaking materials
• Create engaging internal communications programs that support employee engagement and organizational culture.

Agency, Budget & Stakeholder Management

• Manage external PR agencies, communications budgets, resources, and performance metrics.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Marketing, Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, Commercial, and Global Communications teams.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to leaders across the organization.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• 8+ years of Communications, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, or Public Affairs experience.
• Strong experience working within a Toronto-based PR agency environment.
• Demonstrated success managing communications for consumer-facing brands.
• Proven portfolio management experience across multiple brands and communications initiatives.
• Deep understanding of the Canadian media landscape with established media relationships.
• Significant experience in crisis communications, reputation management, media relations, and issues management.
• Strong experience managing PR budgets, agency relationships, and communications resources.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills. Strong writing ability is an absolute must-have.
• Experience developing executive-level and internal communications.
• Excellent presentation skills and experience supporting executive leaders.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Consumer Brand Marketing experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within Consumer Health, Healthcare, or Consumer Packaged Goods industries.
• Bilingual English/French is highly preferred.
• Strong digital communications and social media experience.
• Experience developing content across digital and social platforms.
• Graphic design experience, including familiarity with Photoshop and visual content creation tools.
• Photography, videography, and content editing experience considered an asset.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are an agency-trained PR and Communications professional who understands both strategy and execution.

You bring:

• Deep expertise in Canadian media relations and brand PR.
• A hands‑on approach rather than purely agency consulting or strategic oversight.
• Strong crisis management and reputation protection experience.
• Exceptional writing, messaging, and storytelling skills.
• Experience supporting senior executives through complex and time‑sensitive communications challenges.
• Confidence overseeing multiple projects, agencies, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
• Strong digital, social media, and content development capabilities.
• Excellent presentation and executive communication skills.

Use AI for Hiring

Our recruitment process for this role includes the use of AI-based tools to help evaluate candidate qualifications and screen applications.

Why Kelly?

At Kelly, we're committed to finding rewarding opportunities that help you thrive—both professionally and personally. We partner with leading organizations across industries, connecting talented individuals to roles that fit their skills, interests, and goals. As part of the Kelly team, you'll have access to a diverse network, ongoing career support, and resources to help you succeed. We value inclusion, respect, and work-life balance, and we offer competitive pay and benefits. Join us and discover what's next for your career!