Description
OVERVIEW
The Communications Manager role requires a strategic communications professional with excellent judgement, creativity and vision, a business mindset, ability to manage a complex and demanding portfolio, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. This position provides coordination and implementation of all facets of the corporate communications function, including media relations, internal communications, issues and crisis management, and stakeholder relations. The Communications Manager will work closely with departments across the company to offer strategic communications counsel, insights and support. The role reports to the Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations.
*This is a 14-month fixed term contract position*
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Leadership
- Demonstrate strong vision, belief in values, contagious enthusiasm, and relentless determination to deliver what is best for fellow team members and the company
- Lead by example, believe in the value of team work, celebrate achievements, and develop and mentor junior communications and marketing team members
- Be creative, drive for innovation, and be resourceful in striving for business goals
- Provide strategic counsel to team members and leadership in terms of best practices across all communication areas
Media and Public Relations
- Develop and implement creative and strategic media relations plans for the company’s global markets, including management inbound inquiries and external agencies
- Establish and nurture strong relationships with local, national and international trade, travel and consumer media and influencers; and act as RM spokesperson as required
- Develop, implement and host the media familiarization program and associated broadcast productions
- Plan and develop content to support media relations efforts, including news releases, editorial features, blog article, and social media posts
- Collaborate closely with the marketing and sales team to ensure alignment of external promotional and editorial efforts in all markets
Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations
- Support corporate and stakeholder communications strategies by informing, engaging and supporting key internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, business and industry associations, government officials.
- Provide communications counsel and support to company leadership and cross-company departments, including the global sales team, for media interviews, presentations, and external stakeholder communications
- Develop and deliver communications resources and products, including news releases, speaking notes, thought-leadership articles, presentations and media training for cross-company departments and leaders
- Support internal communications activities and events as required, including intranet content, internal resources, team training, social responsibility, and other support.
Issues and Crisis Communications
- Maintain and implement the issues and crisis communications response plan to address wide variety of potential issues/crises across the business and operating regions
- Act the lead communications role in the Incident Command System during emergency or crisis situations to coordinate the communications response to all irregular and emergency incidents, liaising with other responding agencies as required; be on-call during the operating season, and available to support as required throughout the remainder of the year.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Certifications/Knowledge
Post-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism or related field
Experience
- Minimum six years’ experience in the communications field
- Experience in crisis, corporate and stakeholder communications
- Experience working with senior executives and managing team members and external agencies
- Experience in media relations and acting as a company spokesperson
- Experience working both locally and globally with preference given to candidates with knowledge of and insights into media markets such as Canada, US, UK, Australia and China
Skills
- Masterful communications skills with ability to write in multiple tones, depending on the author or audience, and effectively speak to and connect with a wide variety of audiences
- Proven editorial, copywriting, editing and presentation skills with the ability to connect each piece with the strategic message and brand
- Excellent interpersonal skills, a natural relationship-builder with the ability to influence others
- Ability to work within, advise and engage all levels of the organization, from executives to frontline team members in global and remote workplaces
- Thorough understanding of the media industry in key global markets, and demonstrated ability to identify trends and industry changes, and communicate these shifts effectively and responsibly to audience groups
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects and deadlines accordingly
- Experience in issues management and crisis communications
- Experience in the travel industry and knowledge of operating regions considered an asset
