Director, Public Relations and Communications

The Work!

• Proactive and reactive media relations to increase EQB’s presence in top-tier, mainstream press (across technology, business, financial, consumer & lifestyle beats), showcasing how we are changing the future of banking
• Develop and pitch earned media stories about EQB and its brands – EQB, Equitable Bank, EQ Bank/Banque EQ, Concentra Trust as required – to mainstream and emerging media outlets as well as niche centres of influence to ensure stories support business goals and resonate with target audiences
• Work closely with our content, data and business teams to develop trend stories based on target personas and content-specific insights
• Support Executive Leadership Team directly with visibility and thought leadership initiatives
• Provide operations oversight of reporting to showcase the value PR adds to our organization
• Work closely with internal communications teams to provide counsel and support as needed for internal initiatives
• Build connections with key media organizations and journalists through a mix of traditional, digital and social
• Field reactive media calls quickly and effectively
• Advises leaders as needed on media protocol, provides guidance on what makes a good story and offers feedback on story ideas that may not work.
• Coordinate media training with agency and/or conduct media training as required
• Brief and prep executive-level spokespeople for media interviews and speaking engagements with expert counsel
• Monitor daily to keep abreast of industry news; share relevant stories with senior leaders (for possible comment of LinkedIn)
• Create and disseminate twice-weekly media digests to an internal audience
• Support the investor relations team with media relations and writing, including for quarterly earnings and ad hoc requests (such as for prime rate increases or bonds issuance)
• Support all areas of the bank with press release writing and editing, as well as select additional support
• Collaborate regularly with internal teams, such as marketing, product, social media, legal, risk, compliance, ESG and strategy and corporate development
• Support the Integration Management Office as required for long-term functional planning
• Work with the VP Marketing and Senior Director, EQ Bank Marketing to create and manage occasional PR activations
• In the event of a crisis or issue, lead communications efforts across the enterprise and provide media relations support to the crisis/issues management team
• Creates continual content for online newsroom
• Maintains an editorial calendar that can be shared with executives

Lets Talk about you!

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in Journalism, Communications or Public Relations, or an equivalent combination of experience and formal education
• A minimum of 12 years’ experience in a media relations role, in-house or with an agency; agency experience is strongly preferred
• Proven skill in pitching and landing earned media stories
• Knowledge of stakeholders and requirements of communicating in the banking sector and as a publicly traded entity required
• Knowledge of French is an assetLeading media training for executives
• Ability to operate independently, organize ideas from other marketing team members and disseminate information to cross-functional peers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to work on big strategy plans as well as day-to-day tasks
• Ability to think both creatively and strategically
• Ability to run multi-channel and audience PR campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives
• Deadline-oriented, inquisitive, with great follow-up and reporting skills
• Creativity in securing coverage and buzz with traditional outlets
• Deep understanding of social media
• Project and budget management skills
• Responds well under pressure with strict time limit
• Quick and enthusiastic learner