Manager Public Affairs and Media Relations

Manager Public Affairs and Media Relations

• Member of Paper Excellence Global Public Affairs team.
• Dynamic role in high-performing organization as we fully integrate the businesses of Domtar and Resolute Forest Products into the Paper Excellence Group.
• Opportunity to help tell the story of Paper Excellence's significant investment in Canada's Forestry industry - as an important leader in the sector globally.
• Exposure to diverse & challenging projects and issues.
• Permanent employment which includes a range of additional benefits.
• Role based in downtown Montreal.

About the role

We are looking for a Manager of Public Affairs and Media Relations to join Paper Excellence's public affairs team. Based in Montreal, the position requires skills and abilities in government affairs and media relations, planning and coordination of various projects, meeting and event management and external communications.

The role is primarily focused on Canada and supporting Paper Excellence's global Public Affairs team businesses but also dealing with other non-Canadian issues as necessary while also working closely and collaboratively with the US External Communications team.

This position also requires flexibility of one's schedule, a strategic mind and an ability to understand and manage complex situations.

To this end, this person will be called upon to :

• Be a member of the Global Media Team and the Canadian Public Affairs Team.
• Develop and action communication and government relations plans across the Paper Excellence Group in Canada. Find and tell great stories across traditional media, social media and other communications channels.
• Be the authority on discussions and news, online postings, campaigns, twitter and all social media discussions about Paper Excellence Group.

Be aware of what is being said about PE and offer / add to the discussion positively promoting the Group.

• Elaborate and implement strategies to enhance the company's reputation in partnership with the global media and external communications teams to ensure alignment between media, social media and digital channels.
• Proactively work with product groups, assets, country teams and functions to ensure clear and timely engagement and communication with media.
• Be a media spokesperson for Paper Excellence Group's operations, and provide strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and subject matter experts.
• Handle and respond to questions from journalists and research information relating to those questions.
• Gather information and prepare / draft the content necessary for the organization's government and media relations needs while meeting deadlines (media packs, invitations, press releases, fact sheets, speeches, external presentations).
• Organize events in collaboration with local teams (logistics, content preparation, protocol, relations with internal partners, stakeholders, etc.).
• See to the planning, coordination and completion of multiple communication projects across various channels.
• Attend corporate events representing Paper Excellence Group (e.g. : open houses, partnerships, conferences, etc.).
• Map the media in Canada - Build and maintain an appropriate network across mainstream, regional and business media.
• Support broader corporate initiatives as required.

Functional & governance

• Actively keep abreast of Group strategy, initiatives, and key issues to ensure communications support takes changes into account.
• Stay up to date on industry trends, executive activity (particularly media and social media) at peer companies and relevant leading corporates to help shape strategy.

About you

The successful candidate must have :

• Five to seven years of relevant experience in media relations, communications and / or journalism. (Knowledge of the mining and metals sector and the corporate world is a plus.)
• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or journalism would be an asset but not required.
• Excellent writing skills and fluent command of English.
• Excellent communications skills in French. Ability to function in a spokesperson role in French.

The following skills and traits will be highly regarded :

• Proven independence, resourcefulness and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle numerous deadlines.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Sense of organization and urgency.
• Availability to travel and to work outside of office hours / maintain a flexible schedule including availability on weekends for media monitoring and response.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
• A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees.
• Career development and education assistance to further your ambitions.
• Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs and pension plan
• Wellbeing benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation / annual, paid parental, sick leave).

About Paper Excellence :

Paper Excellence is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and paper, including printing and writing, packaging, and specialty papers.

We believe in the enduring value of wood-based products in global markets and have built a large network of mills and chipping plants to produce them competitively.

Through our distinct approach to operational excellence, we deliver high-quality and cost-effective products to international customers.