Manager, Media Relations & Issues Mgmt

Manager, Media Relations & Issues Management

📍 Toronto, ON, Canada

🚫 Relocation Support is not available

📌 This job posting is related to an existing vacancy

Be part of a revolutionary change.

At Rothmans, Benson & Hedges (RBH), a Philip Morris International company, we are transforming our business and building a future beyond cigarettes.

As we accelerate our journey toward a smoke-free future, we are looking for a communications professional who can help shape public conversations, keep building our reputation, and navigate a complex and highly visible external environment.

This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing Communications team and play a critical role in one of the most significant corporate transformations in Canada!

Your Opportunity

As Manager, Media Relations & Issues Management, you will lead RBH's media engagement strategy and serve as a trusted advisor on reputation management, media issues, and external communications.

Reporting to the Director, Communications & Sustainability, you will act as RBH's primary point of contact for journalists and media collaborators while partnering with senior leaders to navigate sophisticated, high-profile, and rapidly evolving issues.

You will help shape our external narrative, build trusted relationships with media, and ensure impactful communications that support RBH's business priorities and smoke-free vision.

What You'll Do

Lead Media Relations Strategy

• Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies aligned with RBH's business priorities.
• Find opportunities to strengthen RBH's reputation and increase the impact of earned media coverage.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, media outlets, and key external partners.
• Monitor media trends, coverage, and emerging issues to inform communications strategies and business decisions.
• Measure media performance and continuously optimize engagement approaches.

Drive Strategic Storytelling

• Shape and advance RBH's corporate narrative, including our transformation journey, innovation agenda, and regulatory environment.
• Develop compelling communications materials including press releases, statements, key messages, executive briefing notes, and media materials.
• Lead national, regional, and local media campaigns that generate meaningful engagement and visibility.
• Partner with internal teams to identify and amplify impactful, newsworthy stories aligned to business priorities.

Lead Issues & Reputation Management

• Develop communications strategies and media responses for complex, high-profile, and potentially sensitive issues.
• Provide real-time counsel to senior leadership during emerging reputation risks and media situations.
• Ensure timely, coordinated, and effective responses to media inquiries.
• Support the protection and enhancement of RBH's reputation in a dynamic and evolving external environment.

Partner Across the Business

• Collaborate closely with Government Relations, Sustainability, Scientific Engagement, Illicit Trade Prevention, and other cross-functional teams.
• Partner with regional and global PMI Communications teams to align messaging and communications strategies.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor, ensuring external considerations are reflected in business decisions when appropriate.

Who We're Looking For

Experience

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in Media Relations, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Experience working directly with journalists, media collaborators, and external audiences.
• Demonstrated success securing impactful media coverage and leading essential communications initiatives.
• Experience managing reputation-sensitive issues and navigating high-profile communications environments.
• Experience in public affairs, public policy, government communications, political environments, or highly regulated industries is considered a strong asset.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong understanding of Canada's media, political, and regulatory landscape.
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage trusted media relationships.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Strong critical thinking and sound judgment.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced and high-pressure situations.
• Excellent collaborator management and influencing skills.
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to execution.
• Confident communicator capable of engaging senior leaders, journalists, and external collaborators.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Marketing, or a related field.

Language Requirements

• Fluent English required.
• French language proficiency is considered a strong asset.

Why Join RBH?

At RBH, we are undergoing an exciting transformation to build a smoke-free future. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape national conversations, influence public understanding, and contribute to a high-profile, purposeful agenda.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Influence public conversations on important business and societal topics.
• Work alongside senior leaders and global stakeholders.
• Build your expertise in media relations, reputation management, and corporate affairs.
• Contribute to one of Canada's most visible business transformation journeys.
• Grow your career in a collaborative, innovative, and passionate environment.

Annual Salary

Annual Salary for this position: CAD $145,416

RBH is officially certified as a Great Place to Work®.

Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity regardless of race, ancestry, colour, religion, marital/family status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, immigrant/newcomer status, age, citizenship, or disability.

Use of AI in Recruitment

We use artificial intelligence software to support the sorting and organization of applications. The software does not autonomously reject candidates; all applications involve human review.

Accessibility & Accommodations

RBH is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

For accommodations during the recruitment process:

AODA.RBH@rbhinc.ca

Learn More About RBH

RBH website: rbhinc.ca

LinkedIn: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.

Facebook: RBH Facebook

X: RBH on X

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