Senior Manager, External Communications

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits coverage

Defined benefit pension

Flexible work environment

Deferred travel program

Discount programs

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is seeking a Senior Manager, External Communications to lead the external communications strategy and act as a primary advisor on asset class branding. The role emphasizes translating complex investment topics into clear narratives for diverse audiences.

You will report to the Managing Director, External Communications and work with senior leaders to shape announcements and manage media relations while coaching junior teammates as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Corporate Communications or Journalism, or related field.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial, investment and governance topics into clear language.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute external communications strategies to raise the Ontario Teachers’ brand and profile.
• Advise investment groups on strategic communications, messaging, media engagement, and branding.
• Shape announcements for new and existing investments across the global portfolio.
• Provide communications advice to senior leaders and subject-matter experts on complex topics.
• Support annual and sustainability reporting activities.
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations and, when appropriate, serve as spokesperson.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Editorial judgment

Exceptional writing

Communication

Leadership (informal)

Project management

Stakeholder management

Deadline driven

Education

Bachelor's Degree in English or Communications

Job description

The opportunity

The Senior Manager, External Communications is an experienced corporate communications professional who plays a leading role in the development and execution of the external communications strategy of the organization and serves as a primary advisor on specific asset class brand and reputation strategies. This role requires a strong and confident communicator who can translate complex investment concepts and strategies into clear, compelling narratives for a broad audience. The Senior Manager, External Communications does not have immediate people management accountability (but may over time), but will take an active role in coaching 1-2 junior team members.

Who you'll work with

The Senior Manager, External Communications will report to the Managing Director, External Communications.

What you'll do

Corporate & Investment Communications

• Develop and execute proactive communications strategies to build Ontario Teacher’s brand and profile.
• Contribute to corporate communications initiatives that advance the organization’s reputation and strategic priorities.
• Act a primary advisor to key investment groups, engaging investment teams on strategic communications matters, including messaging, media engagement, presentations, thought leadership, issues management, and branding
• Shape and execute announcements related to new and existing investments across Ontario Teachers’ global portfolio
• Provide communications advice to senior leaders and subject-matter experts on complex or sensitive topics
• Support annual and sustainability reporting activities.

External Communications & Reputation Management

• Advance proactive and reactive media relations, including serving as a media spokesperson where appropriate
• Execute strategic executive speaking engagements, including drafting materials, preparing spokespeople, and event logistics
• Take an active role in reputation management, including working with investment teams and portfolio companies to mitigate risks
• Monitor external trends, media coverage, and stakeholder sentiment relevant to the organization.

General Communications Planning & Integration

• Collaborate with colleagues across Marketing & Communications to ensure consistency and effective integration.
• Uphold and evolve the organization’s voice, tone, and brand standards
• Monitor for industry and sector developments, identifying and making recommendations on key issues, opportunities, and risks
• Contribute to continuous improvement of communications processes and tools.

Flexible hours during evenings and weekends to meet tight timelines and fast turnarounds as necessary is essential.

Other duties as assigned.

Decision Making

• Project management: Time sensitivity of project delivery directly impacts project success.
• Must respond quickly on short notice to requests with tight timelines.
• Evaluate and select vendors, negotiate contracts and manage performance
• Ensures complete confidentiality and discretion while preparing communication plans for sensitive issues.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Corporate Communications or Journalism, or related field
• Critical analysis, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and planning skills
• Exceptional writing ability, creativity, and oral communication skills
• Ability to effectively translate complex financial, investment, and governance content into clear, accessible language
• Strategic thinker with strong editorial judgment
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline driven
• Confident communicator who can influence without authority
• Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity
• Excellent leadership, teamwork and collaborative skills
• Highly motivated and results-driven
• Ability to work during evenings and weekends as needed
• Minimum 8-10 years in corporate communications or media relations
• Experience in pension funds, asset management, financial services, or public-sector institutions preferred
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to simplify technical content
• Strong project management skills with experience managing multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines
• Experience working with senior executives and cross-functional teams

What we’re offering

• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development
• Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage
• Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan
• The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program
• A flexible work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working
• Competitive time off
• Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year
• Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

At Ontario Teachers', diversity is one of our core strengths. We take pride in ensuring that the people we hire and the culture we create, reflect and embrace diversity of thought, background and experience. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion through events for colleagues to connect for professional development, networking & mentoring. We are building an inclusive and equitable workplace where our talent is respected, accepted and empowered to be themselves. To learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, check out Life at Teachers'.