Communications and Public Relations Manager

Who we are : Founded in 2014, Open Farm is one of the fastest growing consumer packaged goods companies in North America.

We are transforming the way people feed their pets with a focus on producing premium, healthy food all ethically sourced from farm-to-bowl.

We believe the best foods are made with consciously sourced, top-quality ingredients from farmers and fisheries that believe in doing good for all animals and the environment.

We are headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with team members based across North America. Open Farm is a 10-year old company, with an annual sales growth exceeding 60 per cent over the last three years, and found in over 8,000 neighbourhood pet retailers across North America as well as online at OpenFarmPet.

com. Our product line is recognized as a category-leader in product innovation, with a full suite of premium offerings ranging from kibble to fresh meals and supplements.

Throughout our growth journey, we have stayed true to our values, partnering with ethical sourcing partners Certified Humane®, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise Seafood to provide better quality ingredients to pets and ensure we are sourcing ingredients in a way that respects farm animals and the planet.

Where You'll Come In :

Thanks to our incredible furry community and passionate team, we have an awesome story to tell. Come help us share it! In this newly-created role, we are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative Communications & Public Relations Manager to create, drive, and execute external communications and public relations initiatives.

The successful candidate will beresponsible forensuring consistent messaging across all touchpoints, whiledriving qualitative media coverage of Open Farm across North America.

Your primary responsibility will be to embody the voice and spirit of Open Farm. This role will be pivotal in elevating Open Farm's external identity and communicating Open Farm's strategic mission and goals in the media and across influential channels.

Bringing strong writing and editing skills, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create a unified voice, serving as a brand steward to ensure cohesive messaging both internally and externally.

Reporting to the Director of Brand Marketing, the ideal candidate is a self-driven, motivated communications specialist with a deep understanding of both communication fundamentals and the PR landscape in North America.

As the Communications & Public Relations manager, you are specialized in developing and leveraging commercial, media, and strategic relationships to further Open Farm's vision and growth prospects, and drive the company's business objectives.

Note : This is a hybrid opportunity. We are accepting applicants within Ontario, Canada.

How you'll make an impact : (If this looks enticing, click "Apply!)

• Develop a year-round integrated Public Relations and Communications Plan supporting company priorities with thoughtful tactics across all Public Relations and Communications channels, ensuring alignment with all brand guidance.
• Work interactively as key liaison with leaders of designated business units to produce their communications from conception to execution, as required (level of editorial / project participation will vary with relationship contact and project), and generate newsworthy opportunities that showcase various angles of the business.
• Create a process-driven approach to press outreach and relationship management that generates consistent media coverage by identifying key target publications, managing inbound media opportunities, developing new connections, crafting thoughtful pitches, coordinating media roadshows and interviews, and preparing spokespeople for opportunities.
• Develop, execute, and monitor event and business strategies and calendars to drive meaningful storytelling and press opportunities, working with colleagues to ensure the overall communications calendar is populated with high quality content produced on a timely basis and amplified as appropriate
• Source and draft compelling award and speaking submissions.
• Strong copywriter with the ability to create and activatea comprehensive brand storyinternally and externally.
• Design and audit copy to target specific audiences, placing an emphasis and discipline on cohesive brand voice across programs and platforms.
• Build and maintain relationships with Customer Experience Team to ensure effective creation and implementation of marketing and communication strategies.
• Liaise with Risk Team, as a primary contact, keeping abreast of any situation that may arise that requires help to problem solve.
• Create project briefs and internal pitch decks to gain alignment and project approvals.
• Ensure monthly to quarterly sharing of Public Relations and Communications highlights within organization.

We're excited about you because :

• You have 5years of work experience in Communications / Public Relations / Journalism
• Existing relationships with relevant media outlets and journalists
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills, a true writer at heart with a deep understanding of copy requirements across different mediums
• Have a track record of executing PR initiatives with demonstrated success building awareness and generated earned impressions
• Possesses a sense of urgency; is self-motivated and detail-minded
• Ability to think critically, utilize subject matter expertise
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in relevant field (Journalism)
• Capable of seeing a project through from inception to completion, passionate about the brand, optimistic, and adept at spotting opportunities in every corner, while managing multiple projects simultaneously
• An ability to work independently and part of a team
• Highly motivated and driven, with strong interpersonal skills
• Curious and driven to ask questions for deeper understanding
• Love pets! Bonus points if you have a furry best friend.
• BA Marketing, PR or equivalent
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

What We Offer :

• Join a fast-growing, mission-driven company, with annual sales growth of over 60% YOY
• Join a dynamic and supportive work environment with a team of dedicated, high-performing professionals
• Competitive salary and incentives
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage and RRSP plans with company match
• Great office culture (with lots of adorable pets!) where your pet interrupting video calls or in-person meeting is the norm
• Discounted food for your furry family members

Our Values

We Raise the Bar We Dream Big We Open the Barn Doors We Graze Lightly We Are Customer Obsessed We Are One Team

Open Farm values diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants requiring a disability-related accommodation at any stage of Open Farm's recruitment process should contact .

As required by legislation, Open Farm will consult with applications requesting such an accommodation to ensure that Open Farm's recruitment process takes into account their accessibility needs.