Specialist, Public Relations

Subaru Canada, Inc.; Mississauga; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Subaru Canada, Inc. is seeking a Specialist, Public Relations to leverage automotive technical experience to strengthen the Subaru brand.

The role focuses on consistent messaging across sales, product, and corporate communications and involves composing press releases, fact-checking, and maintaining PR resources such as the website, TV content, and social media. Based in Mississauga, ON, the Specialist will support senior PR leadership, coordinate auto shows and sponsorship events, and build

Qualifications

• 5+ years of automobile industry experience at product, retail and/or wholesale levels.
• Bilingualism is an asset.
• High level of Microsoft Office proficiency (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license (manual transmission an asset).

Responsibilities

• Assist in development, planning and execution of PR activities to maximize Subaru exposure and brand awareness.
• Write and distribute press releases, alerts and media updates to dealers and media contacts.
• Organize distribution of Subaru-related articles and monitor daily media alerts.
• Support auto shows, sponsorships and events planning with a focus on logistics.
• Coordinate auto shows with show managers and vendors for timely delivery.
• Participate in auto shows and press events to enhance media knowledge of product.
• Prepare PR materials and train Subaru brand ambassadors for events and social media.
• Build relationships with automotive journalists and external contacts for brand representation.
• Manage press car bookings, influencer bookings, scheduling and vehicle damage reporting.

Skills

PR & Communications

Press releases

Media relations

Event planning

Writing/editing

Team collaboration

Education

University degree or Automotive-related Business education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Specialist, Public Relations will utilize their automotive technical experience to elevate the Subaru brand by seeking to achieve consistency in Subaru’s messages to promote awareness and value. The incumbent will compose press releases as they relate to sales, product, and corporate communications. The Specialist strategically plans, fact-checks, and continually updates PR communication resources e.g., PR website, TV content, social media, PowerPoint presentations, etc. The incumbent assists the Senior Manager, PR and Sponsorships as well as the Manager, Sponsorships and Events, in the logistics of auto shows and sponsorship events to showcase Subaru's model line-up, brand image and corporate identity. Furthermore, the incumbent will utilize product expertise to speak to technical questions and to develop strong business alliances with media, internal stakeholders and team members as well as with vendors to support Subaru's business objectives. The Specialist will naturally have a sense of urgency but will also be thoughtful and highly detail oriented.

The incumbent will report to the Senior Manager PR and Sponsorships and will be based out of Subaru Canada’s head office in Mississauga, ON.

The hiring range for this role is $75,000 - $85,000 CAD. The initial base salary offered may vary depending on internal equity and each candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills and professional experience. This recruitment is to fill a vacant position.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development, planning and execution of PR activities, which provide the maximum exposure for Subaru and increase Brand awareness.
• Using exceptional creative and technical writing skills, create written communication to dealers and media contacts, i.e. Press alerts/releases, invitations, updates on press vehicles.
• Organize and execute the distribution of articles written on the subject of Subaru (this involves media monitoring and review of daily media email alerts).
• As a proven team player, assist the Senior Manager, PR and Sponsorships, and Manager, Sponsorships and Events, with the planning of all auto shows, sponsorships and events, with a significant focus on logistics.
• Oversee implementation of various coordination components of all auto shows through ongoing communication with show managers as well as managing and coordinating vendor deliverables.
• Actively participate during auto shows, Car of the Year Testing (AJAC) and other press events to enhance press and media personnel's knowledge of product.
• Organize and execute public relations activities (e.g. press events) with a focus on vehicle logistics and product expertise to help build engaging press presentations.
• Use product expertise to help educate and inform social media influencers and help train Subaru brand ambassadors for auto shows and sponsorship events.
• Establish strong business relationships with automotive journalists and other external contacts in order to promote brand representation and awareness.
• Oversee the administration of press car bookings, influencer bookings, scheduling and maintenance, and vehicle damage reporting process.
• Communicate various new initiatives with internal stakeholders required to take action (i.e. working with the Manager, Digital Marketing or the Manager, Advertising).
• Create and cultivate an open communication environment to promote accessibility and responsiveness to auto journalists' requests/enquiries.
• Apply technical knowledge of the Subaru product when ordering vehicles (trim/models) for events, making strategic decisions around vehicle ordering.
• Analyze and present monthly Ad/PR Value press reports as required, highlighting event analytics around key performance indicators.
• Assist the Senior Manager, PR and Sponsorships in the preparation of departmental and event budget proposals and in analyzing variances between budget and actuals.
• Recommend budget efficiencies and implement changes as needed on an ongoing basis.
• Review all department invoices against purchase orders/quotes, analyze final cost.
• Review suppliers/vendor quotes periodically to ensure competitiveness.
• Research and recommend suppliers/vendors for all auto shows and press events to ensure the best ROI.
• Develop and establish a mutually beneficial business relationship with Suppliers/Vendors.

Required Skills / Attributes:

• Excellent Communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and time management skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Excellent at conflict resolution.

Qualifications:

• University Degree or Business education related to Automotive industry with 5+ years of automobile industry experience at product, retail and/or wholesale levels.
• Bilingualism is an asset.
• High level of Microsoft Office proficiency (including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license (with ability to operate a manual transmission car an asset).

Physical Conditions:

• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, which would include evenings and weekends, as required.
• Travel within Canada and US (30%).

Subaru Canada is committed to employment equity and encourages all qualified Aboriginal peoples, persons with disability and members of visible minorities to apply.
We are also committed to providing accommodation for people with disability. Please let us know if you require accommodation at any time during our recruiting process.
Background checks will be conducted during the final stages of the recruiting process.