Director, Public Relations and Communications

Join a Challenger Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing, so we challenge ourselves to get creative in providing innovative banking solutions for Canadians. How do we get there? With a talented team of inquisitive and agile challengers that break through the status quo. So, if you’re passionate about redefining the future of banking—while having fun—this could be your next big opportunity. Our company continues to grow, and today we serve more than 780,000 customers across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six million members. Together we have over $138 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform (eqbank.ca) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021.  Purpose of the job  We are looking for a passionate, experienced, media-savvy and hands-on head of PR and Communications. This is a contract is 12-M position located in Toronto reporting into the VP Marketing. This person is an expert at developing and executing multi-channel and multi-tactic external communication strategies and public relations/affairs activities that support marketing, investor relations, government relations and executive visibility. You’ll lead a team providing strategic oversight, guidance and execution to support business strategy and help spread the word on how we are driving change in banking to enrich people’s lives. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for building great brands through effective PR and has a background in financial, technology or consumer PR and/or journalism.  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