Public Relations Specialist

Cella by Randstad Digital is seeking a highly skilled and strategic External Communications & Media Relations Lead to join our team in a hybrid capacity. In this role, you will be responsible for providing strategic planning, coordination, and execution for external corporate communications, advocacy, media relations, crisis communications, and brand reputation management. This role blends advanced tactical execution with high-level strategy, including the leadership and professional development of a team of direct reports.

Location: North York, VPC
Hybrid Schedule: In office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; WFH Wednesday and Friday
Travel: Occasional travel to other offices (a drivers abstract will be required for this position), and possible travel to the US for team meetings.


Advantages
• People Leadership & Strategy Ownership: This role isn't just about tactical execution; it provides a direct pathway to manage and coach a team of direct reports. This is a great opportunity for someone who is ready to step into a leadership role.
• High-Visibility Stakeholder Engagement: You will act as a trusted strategic advisor to senior management and executive teams, serving as an official company spokesperson. This provides immense exposure and an opportunity to regularly influence high-profile business decisions.
• Comprehensive Crisis & Reputation Mastery: Participating as a core member of the Crisis Communications Team and training as an ICS Public Information Officer allows you to build highly sought-after, resilient skills in issues management and high-pressure strategic communication.
• Predictable Hybrid Flexibility: The structured hybrid schedule (In office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; WFH Wednesday and Friday) offers a reliable balance between collaborative, in-person team leadership and focused, remote deep-work days.

Responsibilities
External Communications & Advocacy
• Lead external communications, engagement, and advocacy plans to support overarching business objectives.
• Research, write, edit, and distribute communications products such as news releases, advisories, speeches, and key messages.
• Develop and execute communication strategies to address emerging issues, protect the organization's reputation, and mitigate inherent risks.
• Create and execute comprehensive communication strategies throughout project lifecycles for capital expansion, maintenance, and business development initiatives.
• Manage project budgets related to external communications and advocacy.

Media Relations
• Develop and deliver proactive media relations strategies for business initiatives, including media pitches, letters to the editor, and opinion editorials.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters and editors across served communities.
• Assess and respond to incoming media enquiries, determine appropriate spokespeople, develop key messages, and prepare executives for interviews.
• Interact with local and national media outlets to promote the brand, advance initiatives, and defend corporate reputation during unanticipated incidents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Relationships
• Build collaborative working relationships across internal business units, providing strategic advice and issue briefs to support public alignment on critical business initiatives.
• Partner with external vendors, industry partners, and municipal representatives to develop paid digital campaigns and coordinate public messaging.

Team Leadership & Crisis Communications
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to a team of direct reports, establishing clear governance, processes, and accountabilities.
• Support the emergency response organization from a crisis communications perspective as an ICS-trained Public Information Officer with rotational on-call responsibilities.
• Review external communications (presentations, customer letters, marketing materials) to safeguard sensitive proprietary information and maintain brand integrity.


Qualifications
Must-Have Skills and Qualifications:
• Experience: 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in a public affairs environment or external communications role, encompassing media relations, issues management, advocacy, and crisis communications.
• Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of the media landscape within a regulated industry (such as energy, utility, or infrastructure) and its related policy, social, and economic environments.
• Spokesperson & Communication Skills: Superior writing skills and outstanding presentation/influence capabilities, with direct experience acting as an official company spokesperson.
• Core Competencies: Confident judgment, high integrity, and the proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines, handle ambiguity, and manage high-pressure situations.
• Technical Savviness: Demonstrated comfort utilizing emerging AI tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Mobility: Ability to travel within Ontario and provide a valid drivers abstract.
Nice-to-Have Skills and Qualifications:
• Professional communication accreditation (e.g., IABC-ABC or equivalent).
• Prior experience working within a public relations agency.
• Proven capacity to prioritize effectively and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to thrive in a fast, results-driven environment while maintaining a long-term strategic perspective.

Summary
If you are a visionary communications professional looking to lead critical corporate narratives and shape strategic advocacy, we encourage you to apply to this time sensitive opportunity today! Please submit your resume detailing your relevant experience and how you can contribute to our client's success.

Cella by Randstad Digital uses artificial intelligence to help our recruiters screen, assess and select qualified talent for this role and others within our database. Although Cella by Randstad Digital uses A.I. as a tool, candidate selection and hiring decisions are made by our employees.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.