Public Relations and Communications Specialist

Department: Central Communications
Position supervisor: Manager, Publications (with dotted line reporting to Manager, Media Relations)
Contract length: Approximately 6 months
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: short term contract
Rate of pay: $40 per hour

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

About the program/department/team

The Central Communications team provides a range of communication services and skills to the university including media relations, community engagement, internal communications, publications, and crisis communications / issues management.

Central Communications provides advice and assistance in communicating to both the Toronto Metropolitan University community and outside of campus to the public and media when the need arises.

The opportunity

The Public Relations and Communications Specialist researches, creates and edits rich media content for University Relations communications channels and a range of online and print publications and external media outlets. The incumbent actively engages with media and external contacts to build relationships and coordinate media coverage. Additionally, the incumbent coordinates a broad range of special projects with the objective of maintaining and improving the University’s reputation as a leading post-secondary institution, which may include confidential labour relations related information as required.

**Qualifications**:
Specific training or job experience required before appointment includes:

- Completion of a post-secondary degree in Communications, Journalism, Professional Writing or a related field;
- A minimum of 4 years of experience writing and editing publications, including online publications, business communications writing, preferably in an educational or public sector organization. A strong understanding of communications principles and practice, their priorities and objectives, and experience writing and editing in a busy environment;
- Minimum 4 years experience in media relations with proven success in pitching and securing proactive media coverage.

The position also requires the following:

- Strong communication skills; digital communications capacity, excellent judgment and superior ability to identify, research and produce news and feature stories, briefing notes, and remarks quickly, accurately, and with flair.
- Tact and diplomacy: strong interpersonal skills; able to handle multiple assignments at the same time; able to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of communication principles and practices, priorities and objectives related to digital communications and the complexities of media relations, writing, editing in a busy environment.
- Demonstrated up to date knowledge of various social media channels and platforms.

How to apply

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
- We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please reach out to to Human Resources:

- Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.