Media Relations Consultant

The Media Relations Consultant plays a key role in enhancing and protecting Manulifes reputation through proactive and strategic external communications. This role on the global communications team supports corporate priorities by developing compelling narratives managing media engagement and relationships and ensuring consistent messaging across earned media channels. This individual will partner with account leads to support the companys objectives in addition to supporting day-to-day executional needs of the media relations team for business segments and accounts. The ideal candidate brings a client-facing and detail-oriented skillset and thrives in a fast-paced dynamic environment. He/she is a team player committed to service excellence building stakeholder relationships and upholding our values.

Position Responsibilities:

• Maintain and continuously update targeted media lists aligned to priority audiences and coverage opportunities.

• Support the development of media strategies and proactive ideas that enhance visibility and promote Manulifes priorities.

• Draft and tailor timely media pitches by researching journalists beats recent coverage and audience interests to increase relevance and effectiveness of outreach.

• Develop high-quality briefing notes and background materials to support executive media prep and engagements.

• Assist in reputation tracking and issues management supporting monitoring escalation and coordinated response efforts.

• Monitor media coverage and produce reports with clear insights and analysis to share across teams.

• Manage the distribution and publication of press releases across appropriate channels and platforms.

• Serve as a one of the firms media contacts coordinating interviews and ensuring smooth timely engagement with journalists.

• Ensure all outreach and responses reflect the latest approved messaging while supporting the drafting of media FAQs and reactive statements as needed for timely and accurate media engagement.

• Assist with tracking and reporting on media performance metrics including share of voice and key KPIs.

• Participate in cross-functional meetings both internally and externally and distill key takeaways into actionable communications inputs.

• Collaborate with North American PR agency partners to support and amplify Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) corporate and brand narratives across earned media channels.

• Handle confidential matters and material information with care confidentiality and alignment to Manulifes code of conduct media relations and social media policies.

• Work in strong partnership with Thought Leadership team to drive integrated storytelling and fully leverage crossfunctional opportunities.

• Collaborate across Manulifes global Communications network to contribute to influence and lead integrated communications plans (ICPs) that strengthen our reputation and advance strategic priorities.

• Stay up to date and informed on relevant industry trends and developments analyzing emerging ones that pose reputational risks and opportunities for Manulife.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in communications journalism public relations or related field.

• 3 years of experience (agency experience preferred / a strong plus)

• Strong relationships with business finance insurance and consumer media US and asset management media are a plus.

• Excellent writing editing and storytelling skills with the ability to simplify complex topics.

• Proven ability to operate calmly under pressure and manage sensitive issues.

• Strong project management skills detail oriented and ability to work cross-functionally in a fast paced environment.

• Prior experience in financial services and/or insurance a plus.

• Experience with Cision Roxhill (or another journalist database) PublicRelay (or another data and analytics vendor) a plus.

• As this is a global role expectation of some work required outside of standard working hours to accommodate time zones with added flexibility (morning calls before 9AM ET evening calls 8 9PM ET potential for weekend work).

• Adept at relationship-building.

When you join our team:

• Well empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• Well recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team well support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us visit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment retention advancement and compensation and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race ancestry place of origin colour ethnic origin citizenship religion or religious beliefs creed sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions) sexual orientation genetic characteristics veteran status gender identity gender expression age marital status family status disability or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process contact .

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$73725.00 CAD - $122875.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge skills qualifications experience and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location please contact for the salary range for your location.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits including health dental mental health vision short- and long-term disability life and AD&D insurance coverage adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays vacation personal and sick days and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S. please contact for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

We use data and analytics technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automated processing tools to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information please refer to our personal information collection statement.

Required Experience:

Contract

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1