Director, PR

**Job Description**:
The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education and performance institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in musical training at all ages and levels, from early childhood education to playing professionally.

The RCM’s programming activities fall into three general categories. Professional Training and Music Schools, Broad Based Music Learning - _RCM Learning Systems_, and Performance/Presentations. The RCM’s Schools are all based in a state-of-the-art campus in Toronto, Canada, and are comprised of: _The Glenn Gould School_ offering degree programs in orchestral, vocal, and piano performance; _The Phil and Eli Taylor Academy_ offering advanced young musicians between the ages of 8 - 18 years old with unique access to superior musical training, performance opportunities, and mentorship on an extracurricular basis; and _The Oscar Peterson School of Music_ community school offering lessons, group classes, ensemble training from early childhood to adults, including the tuition-free, comprehensive musical training program for underserved youth from across the GTA, The Oscar Peterson Program.

**What is the Opportunity?**:
The Director PR & Communications is a key, new role within RCM’s brand, marketing and communications department. Reporting to the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and working closely with RCM’s President & CEO and other leaders across the institution, this role will be responsible for internal and external communications, crafting and executing strategic communication plans, managing media relations and ensuring consistent and resonant messaging across all platforms and in alignment with RCM’s overall brand strategy.

**Main Duties & Responsibilities**:

- **Strategic Communication Planning**: Develop comprehensive communication strategies aligned with organizational goals, including key messaging, aligned with key target audiences in both domestic and international markets.
- **Media Relations**: Develop and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets, proactively pitch stories, prepare leaders and staff for media interactions or interviews, and manage press inquiries.
- **Content Creation**: Oversee the development of press releases and media pitches, develop content for business development and sales collateral, contribute to social media and website content, and any other communication materials as required.
- **Internal Communications**: Partner with internal stakeholders to lead the communication of company updates and initiatives, including Town Halls, Community Days, and other major staff events.
- **Event Management**: Lead planning and execution of major events across the institution, including but not limited to, product launches, concert season launches, convocation, and symposiums and panel discussions.
- **Team Leadership**: Oversee a small team of communications and event professionals, coaching, mentoring, and moving comfortably between oversight and hands-on writing and content development when required.
- **Cross-Functional Collaboration**: Collaboration and coordination on a range of cross-functional campaigns and initiatives, with a talented department of brand, marketing, and communications professionals.
- **Vendor Management**: Evaluate selection and manage key vendor relationships.
- **Analytics and Reporting**: Manage relevant budget spend, and develop, track, and evaluate relevant KPIs and metrics to continuously optimize the effectiveness of communications initiatives and campaigns.

**Job Requirements**:
**What We're Looking For**:

- 8 - 10 years of progressive experience in a senior communications role, either on the agency-side or in-house.
- Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
- Exceptional written communications skills, with an ability to adapt tone and style for a particular audience or medium.
- Proven track-record with PR & communications campaigns, in support of major launches and with quantifiable success.
- Experience leading and mentoring a small team and collaborating across a cross-functional and multi-stakeholder environment.
- Strong interest in understanding broader trends in social, technological, economic, environmental, political and values, and finding connections with an organization’s activities, stories, and aspirations, to create compelling narratives.
- Experience in or deep passion for the performing arts or music education sectors is an asset.

**Salary Range**:

- $125,000 - $145,000 per annum

**Additional Information**:

- Office environment with occasional requirements to work outside of regular office hours.
- The role includes three (3) direct reports, with access to a broader shared services marketing department comprised of team members with digital, SEO, web, social, videography and creative graphic design capabilities.
- Hybrid work arrangement, being on-sit