Employee relations specialist Jobs in Toronto, ON

Job Description

The Public Relations and Brand Engagement Associate supports the Director in delivering Torstar's external communications strategy. This is a tactical, hands-on role that touches every area of the team's mandate, from media relations and events to brand campaigns and executive support. The Associate is organized, a strong writer, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can shift quickly.

Key responsibilities:

External Communications & Media Relations

• Draft and distribute news releases, media advisories, and pitches to journalists and editors.

• Monitor media coverage of Torstar and its brands, compile regular clipping reports, and flag issues or opportunities to the Director.

• Maintain and update Torstar's media contact database and partner organization lists, ensuring records are current and accurate.

• Assist in preparing backgrounders, Q&As, fact sheets, and briefing materials for media inquiries and external engagements.

• Support the Director in responding to routine media inquiries and coordinating interview requests.

External Communications Calendar

• Maintain and update Torstar's external communications calendar, tracking upcoming announcements, events, campaign launches, and editorial moments.

• Flag scheduling conflicts, gaps, or sequencing issues to the Director.

• Liaise with teams across the organization to gather upcoming activity and keep the calendar current.

Executive & Staff Support

• Help prepare speaking notes, key messages, and briefing packages for executive appearances and media engagements.

• Support staff public relations needs as they arise, coordinating with the Director on messaging and approach.

• Assist in maintaining crisis communications materials including contact lists, protocols, and draft holding statements.

Brand Engagement & External Opportunities

• Support the coordination and execution of consumer-facing brand engagement campaigns, contributing to drafting, scheduling, and logistics.

• Research and track external partnership opportunities — including film, television, live events, and sponsorships — and prepare summaries and recommendations for the Director.

• Liaise with internal teams including editorial, product, and revenue to gather content, align messaging, and support cross-functional initiatives.

Events & External Outreach

• Coordinate logistics for Torstar events, speaking engagements, and external activations from planning through to post-event wrap-up.

• Manage outreach to industry associations, community organizations, and event organizers on behalf of the Director.

• Maintain a calendar of relevant external events, conferences, and speaking opportunities and flag relevant ones to the Director.

• Provide on-the-ground support at events and engagements as required.

Digital & Social Media

• Support the team in ensuring external communications extend consistently into Torstar's digital and social channels.

• Draft social media content tied to announcements, campaigns, and events as directed.

• Monitor relevant social media conversations and flag emerging issues or opportunities to the Director.

• Measurement & Reporting

• Compile media coverage reports, campaign summaries, and event recaps to support the Director's reporting to senior leadership.

• Track key metrics including media mentions, share of voice, and campaign performance, and maintain organized records for ongoing reference.

• Support the preparation of presentation materials for internal reporting and senior leadership updates.

Agency & Vendor Coordination

• Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for vendors, and partners on logistical and administrative matters.

• Support procurement and onboarding processes for new vendors in accordance with Torstar's policies.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in communications, public relations or related field or relevant demonstrable experience
• 1 – 3 years of relevant experience
• Portfolio of writing samples (news releases, pitches, social copy, briefing materials)
• Demonstrated experience with media databases, calendar management tools, or similar tools and platforms.

Deadline to apply is October 2, 2026

Additional Information

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for candidates, including persons with disabilities. In compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario Human Rights Code we will endeavour to provide accommodation to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and you require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please notify the hiring manager upon scheduling the interview of your requirements.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Our Applicant Tracking System (ATS) uses AI for initial screening and assessment; however, all final selection decisions are made by our Hiring Managers.