Strategic Media Relations & Communications Consultant

Blackbird Strategies; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Purpose-driven work

Meaningful cross-sector files

Collaborative team with senior adviso

Competitive salary

Paid time off: two weeks at end of Dec

Paid time off: three weeks throughout

Health and dental benefits after prob.

Bonuses and sales incentives

Job summary

Blackbird Strategies in Ottawa is seeking a Media Relations & Communications Consultant to help clients tell their stories, protect reputations, and shape public conversations on priority issues. You’ll collaborate with government relations and policy teams to ensure messaging aligns with advocacy work.

You’ll handle strategic communications plans, write press materials, build relationships with national and regional media, and support crisis communications with tight timelines.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in media relations, communications, or public affairs.
• Excellent writing skills: clear, persuasive, and quick.
• Established relationships with Ottawa and national media are a strong asset.
• Sound judgment under pressure; crisis and issues management experience.
• Understanding of how Parliament and the federal government work is an asset.
• Ability to manage several files and deadlines.
• Proficiency in English and French is an asset.
• Experience working with First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic communications and media relations plans for clients across sectors.
• Write news releases, media advisories, op-eds, statements, and key messages.
• Build and maintain relationships with national, regional, Indigenous, and trade media.
• Pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and prepare spokespeople with media training and briefing materials.
• Monitor media coverage and the political environment, flag emerging issues and opportunities.
• Support issues management and crisis communications, sometimes on tight timelines.
• Coordinate communications around parliamentary moments, announcements, budgets, and major events.
• Work with government relations team to align public messaging with advocacy strategy.
• Contribute to proposals, new business pitches, and the firm’s own communications.

Skills

Media relations

Public affairs

Writing skills

Relationship building

Crisis management

French language

Job description

Blackbird Strategies in Ottawa is seeking a Media Relations & Communications Consultant to help clients tell their stories, protect reputations, and shape public conversations on priority issues. You’ll collaborate with government relations and policy teams to ensure messaging aligns with advocacy work.

You’ll handle strategic communications plans, write press materials, build relationships with national and regional media, and support crisis communications with tight timelines.