Senior Manager, Media Relations

Friday, March 21, 2025

Are you looking for more than a job? At World Vision Canada we offer challenging careers that change the lives of children all over the world and it will change yours too. Come and be part of a team of 400 Canadians with a vision for the world: Life in all its fullness for every child.

You will experience Christian faith in action helping to make real and lasting change in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. Join the World Vision Canada team and be part of a powerful and effective force for good:

For Children. For Change. For Life.

Position: Senior Manager, Media Relations

Reports to: Director, Brand

Position Term: Full Time Permanent

Primary Location:

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Job Purpose:

With the eyes and ears of a journalist, the Senior Manager, Media Relations will focus on identifying newsworthy World Vision Canada stories and successfully pitching them to print, broadcast and digital media outlets. Collaborating with local and international colleagues, the Senior Manager, Media Relations develops and executes strategic communication plans to manage World Vision Canada’s public brand image through proactive media outreach, crafting press releases, pitching stories, managing relationships with journalists, acting as a spokesperson when necessary, and monitoring media coverage, all while ensuring consistent messaging across various platforms and in response to potential crisis situations. This role requires a deep understanding of the media landscape and strong writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring & Insights:
   • Track Canadian news, international correspondent reports, and emerging trends to identify proactive media opportunities.
   • Leverage insights from global and local media landscapes to inform integrated media relations strategies.
2. Strategic Planning:
   • Develop and implement media playbooks tailored to key events, policy moments, and executive travel.
   • Connect media strategies to World Vision’s overarching organizational objectives and key initiatives.
3. Storytelling & Content Development:
   • Craft compelling narratives that highlight World Vision’s work, impact, staff, supporters, and key initiatives across diverse media channels, including traditional outlets and new media formats like podcasts.
   • Develop key messages and tailored content including pitches, news releases, and opinion editorials for national and local markets.
   • Provide creative direction for multimedia storytelling that aligns with current news trends and organizational goals.
4. Spokesperson Opportunities & Media Scheduling:
   • Find, evaluate, and schedule spokesperson opportunities including podcasts, keynote speaking engagements, panel discussions, and other relevant public forums.
   • Coordinate with internal stakeholders to align spokesperson engagements with key messaging and campaign objectives.
   • Ensure all engagements are supported with necessary briefing materials and follow-up strategies to maximize impact.
5. Campaign & Corporate Activity Promotion:
   • Develop and execute strategies to create significant media exposure for key campaigns and company activities.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that campaign messaging is consistent and amplified across traditional, digital, and social media channels.
6. Crisis & Emergency Communications:
   • Lead agile media responses during immediate emergencies and manage communications in protracted crisis situations.
   • Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and empathetic messaging.
   • Monitor, evaluate, and respond to emerging issues while tracking media opportunities and challenges.
   • Provide strategic counsel to ensure organizational readiness for reactive and proactive media engagement.
7. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Collaborate with World Vision International communications colleagues to localize global reports and statements.
   • Engage with policy stakeholders and partner with paid media teams to integrate and amplify key campaigns.
   • Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers across diverse channels.
8. Training & Capacity Building:
   • Design and lead comprehensive media training programs for key spokespeople to ensure confident and consistent messaging.
   • Provide ongoing counsel and feedback to improve media interactions and engagement outcomes.
9. Performance Metrics & Analytics:
   • Develop and implement metrics to assess both secured and organic media coverage.
   • Regularly analyze media results, report on reach and quality, and adjust strategies based on performance data.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7–10 years in media relations, communications, or public relations, with proven leadership in managing complex media environments.
• Strategic Acumen: Demonstrated ability to translate global trends into localized, strategic media plans that align with organizational objectives.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for crafting clear, compelling narratives.
• Crisis Management: Experience in handling crisis communications and rapid-response media situations, preferably in a non-profit or socially focused environment.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Strong ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and stakeholders, coupled with leadership and mentorship skills.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in evaluating media metrics and using insights to inform strategy adjustments.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and emerging challenges.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the Canadian media landscape as well as international news dynamics.
• Experience working with both traditional media and emerging platforms such as podcasts and digital influencers.
• Advanced degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

Why Consider Us?

• World Vision Canada has consistently been awarded Canada and GTA top employer awards.
• We are Canada’s largest development, relief, and advocacy non-profit organization.
• We embody an Agile mindset here.
• We offer competitive pay and benefits. Our comprehensive health benefits start at day 1 which includes a Health Spending Account.
• We match pension contributions up to 6% and provide a top-up for pregnancy & parental leaves.
• We offer extra time off for restoration by closing for an additional day on long weekends, 6 times a year.
• We provide up to six weeks’ vacation, plus paid sick days, personal days & wellness days.
• We offer a family-friendly, caring, and flexible work environment.

#LI-Hybrid

Qualified candidates must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the core values and mission of the World Vision partnership.

World Vision Canada takes our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we provide an environment that is safe for our child and adult beneficiaries. We have strong recruitment procedures to make sure the safest and most suitable people work with the children in our programs. We provide our staff and volunteers with ongoing supervision, support and training in their work with child and adult beneficiaries.

World Vision Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Thank you for your interest; however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.