Senior Manager - External Communications - Canada

SNC-Lavalin; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Manager for External Communications in Canada. The successful candidate will lead regional communications strategies, collaborate with various teams, and nurture media relationships. With over 10 years of experience in public relations and a degree in communications, the person will excel in a bilingual environment. This full-time, permanent role based in Montreal offers competitive salary and benefits along with professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible benefits

Training and professional development

Hybrid working culture

Generous time-off policies

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in external communications.
• Proven experience in media relations and crisis management.
• Ability to coach and develop team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead external communications for Canada.
• Develop and execute communications strategies.
• Build and nurture relationships with media and industry influencers.
• Manage external PR agencies as required.
• Measure and report on communications impact.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis management

Bilingualism (English/French)

Public affairs

Coaching and developing team members

Proactive solution-oriented approach

Education

Degree in communications, public relations, or marketing

Job description

Job Description Overview

We are currently searching for a Senior Manager, External Communications, Canada. In this role, you will be the regional lead for external communications in Canada and a member of the global External Communications Center of Expertise (COE). The external communications COE is a specialized team within AtkinsRéalis that brings together external communications professionals from across the company to share best practices, provide strategic guidance, and deliver integrated solutions. You will collaborate with other COE leads in Marketing and Digital Communications, Creative Design, Brand, and Internal Communications, working across disciplines and regions to support business priorities and elevate our reputation.

You’ll report to the Senior Director, Global External Communications, with day‑to‑day collaboration with the Canada Communications & Marketing Business Partner.

You’ll be a connector—putting team and business needs first, thriving in a matrix environment, and supporting Canada’s growth and reputation.

Your role

• Lead external communications for Canada, prioritizing regional business needs while actively contributing to global initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing and Digital communications, Creative Design, Brand, and Internal Communications regional COE leads—working as a connector, not in silos, with day‑to‑day collaboration with the Canadian Communications & Marketing Business Partner.
• Develop and execute external communications strategies for Canada’s Engineering Services, Operations & Maintenance, Capital, and support global Mining & Metals markets.
• Build and nurture relationships with media, journalists, and industry influencers; proactively pitch stories and manage media inquiries.
• Develop thought leadership content - working alongside technical subject matter experts - to pitch to media.
• Position Canadian leaders as thought leaders through speaking engagements, public appearances, and digital profiles.
• Help shape and execute regional communications and marketing initiatives, working with all COE’s.
• Develop and execute Executive Visibility plans.
• Monitor and respond to the news cycle, business priorities, and external environment to inform strategy.
• Prioritize requests and find solutions to meet internal client needs, demonstrating proactiveness and a service mindset.
• Manage, coach, and develop direct reports focused on external communications for Canada.
• Stay informed about public affairs and policy developments relevant to our markets and reputation.
• Manage external PR agencies as required.
• Measure, evaluate, and report on communications impact.

About you

• Degree in communications, public relations, marketing, business, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in external communications, media relations, and issue/crisis management.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is highly valued; our team includes both French and English native speakers, so full fluency is not required, but the ability to work in both languages is preferred.
• A keen interest in public affairs, government policy, or current events is highly valued.
• Professional PR qualification is an asset.
• Proven experience coaching and developing team members.
• Experience in professional services, design/engineering, or construction is an asset.
• Knowledge of sustainability and net zero is an asset.
• Interest and experience in leveraging AI and digital tools to drive communications efficiency.
• A genuine curiosity about public affairs, government policy, and the broader context in which our business operates.
• Experience in professional services, design/engineering, or construction is an asset.
• Knowledge of sustainability and net zero is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a matrix environment, putting team and business needs first, with day‑to‑day collaboration with the Canadian Communications & Marketing Business Partner.
• Strong prioritization skills and a proactive, solution‑oriented approach to internal client requests.

Does this sound like you? Great! You’re the experienced public relations professional we are looking for.

Additional Information

• Location: Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver.
• Occasional travel within Canada may be required.
• Reports to Senior Director, Global External Communications, with day‑to‑day collaboration with the Canada Communications & Marketing Business Partner.
• Full‑time, permanent position.
• Competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and location.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career at AtkinsRéalis in Canada.

Enjoy competitive compensation, employee recognition, and a brilliant range of flexible benefits you can tailor to your health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle needs.

Make the most of diverse opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.

And take advantage of our hybrid working culture and generous time‑off policies to balance a fulfilling career with your personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

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By submitting your personal information to AtkinsRéalis, you confirm that you have read and accept our Privacy Notice.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

Equality and Diversity Statement

At AtkinsRéalis , we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.