Senior Public Relations & Communications Advisor

At The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, our mission is to create a world free from the fear of cancer. Cancer remains the number one cause of death for Canadians and our top priority is to accelerate cancer research and care.

Our role is to garner support for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world's leading cancer research and treatment centres, through philanthropy, fundraising events, and our world-renowned lottery program. The work we accomplish drives groundbreaking research, relentless innovation, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones.

Now, we have an opportunity to blaze an even brighter future for everyone affected by cancer.

We will Carry The Fire for cancer patients everywhere, lighting the way forward through discovery, reigniting our commitment to transform cancer outcomes and ease the profound suffering cancer causes patients and their loved ones.

At the PMCF, every one of us carries the fire for someone else. Join us as we inspire a movement and help us achieve our vision to change the way we understand, diagnose, and treat cancer.

Union: Non-Union
Department: Marketing and Communications
Hours: 35 hours
Status: Permanent, Full Time
Reports To: Director, Communications
Hiring range: $76,000 - $90,000 (with additional benefits such as bonuses, pension contributions, etc.)
Status: Permanent, Full Time
Posting Date: February 28, 2025
Closing Date: March 16, 2025

About The Role

The Senior Public Relations & Communications Advisor (full-time) is a key role within The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (The PMCF). Reporting jointly to the Director of Communications and with a dotted line supporting the Associate Vice President of People and Culture, this individual will play a vital part in securing local and national media opportunities as well as implementing effective internal and external communication strategies across paid, owned, and earned channels.

Public Relations and Media Management

• Support the Director of Communications in developing and executing PR strategies for signature events, including Cricket to Conquer Cancer, The Ride to Conquer Cancer, The Walk to Conquer Cancer, Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, Quest to Conquer Cancer, Journey to Conquer Cancer, and Northern Pass.
• Drive an "always on" PR strategy to maintain The Princess Margaret's position as a leader in cancer research within the media.
• Leverage media relationships (broadcast, print, radio) to secure coverage for The Princess Margaret.
• Develop and execute PR plans, outlining goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Pitch newsworthy stories to local and national media, ensuring our fundraising priorities are highlighted.
• Manage media inquiries and facilitate interviews as needed.
• Generate B2B and B2C PR opportunities to enhance visibility for The Princess Margaret.
• Create talking points for staff and participant spokespeople, ensuring consistent messaging.
• Write compelling press releases and other media materials.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage, providing reports on results and recommendations.
• Generate innovative PR ideas to amplify our marketing strategy.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure PR content aligns with brand guidelines, tone, and messaging.
• Identify and profile strong patient and participant stories, conducting interviews to highlight impactful narratives for future use.
• Attend signature events as needed, requiring occasional evening and weekend work and local travel.

Brand Communications

• Support the Director of Communications in managing digital content for Cancer Centre clinics, PMCF offices, and PMCF information booth, ensuring alignment with the strategic calendar and branding guidelines.
• Assist with the execution of the Annual Report for The PMCF, collaborating with the Director of Communications and other internal departments and stakeholders (Creative Department, Major & Transformational Giving, etc.)
• Work with the Major & Transformational Giving and Marketing teams to execute communications plans for gift announcements and events.
• Collaborate with Marketing leadership to manage celebrity and influencer partnerships, ensuring these collaborations effectively enhance brand visibility and awareness.

Internal Communications

• Collaborate with the AVP, People & Culture and the P&C team, as well as other departments and stakeholders to ensure regular, clear internal communication across The Foundation, including but not limited to:
  • Planning and leading quarterly town halls
  • Optimizing and maintaining the PMCF intranet, and
  • Managing the bi-weekly "PMCF Post" newsletter.

Other Responsibilities

• Implement best practices within the communications department to enhance effectiveness.
• Monitor external trends in media, PR, and communications to ensure the Foundation remains at the forefront of industry best practices.
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders (internal teams, volunteers, media, agencies, donors, etc.) to improve operational efficiency and communication effectiveness.

• Education: University degree or college diploma in Public Relations, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience: 5-6 years of experience in PR, preferably in a top-tier agency setting, with a focus on complex project management and media relations.
• Strong Media Network: A robust list of media contacts and established relationships within Canadian broadcast, print, and digital media.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Media Landscape: Deep understanding of the media industry and public relations trends.
• Non-Profit & Journalism Experience: An asset but not required.
• PR Tools Proficiency: Experience with Cision, Meltwater, MRP, or similar PR tools is a plus.
• Strategic and Creative: A creative thinker with an expertise in earned media strategies and public relations best practices.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities, with a commitment to follow-through and deadlines.
• Reputational Risk Management: Awareness and understanding of reputational risks in a public relations context.
• Positive Attitude: High energy, flexibility, and a proactive approach to creative problem-solving.
• Collaborative and Independent: Able to work collaboratively across departments while being comfortable initiating and managing projects autonomously.
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to evaluate existing processes and proactively generate innovative solutions to drive improvement and efficiency.

We believe that the way we work together is just as important as what we accomplish. By making choices and taking actions that align with our values, we achieve greater success, and our work lives become happier and more meaningful.

At PMCF, we strive to foster a culture built on Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence (CARE). Central to these values is our commitment to IDEAA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism.

• Experience a sense of purpose that you won't get anywhere else, in any other job. You will be making a difference for millions of people impacted by cancer
• We have an open and approachable culture that enables you to bring your best ideas forward
• We offer a competitive compensation package including competitive salary, incentive pay, health benefits, and Health of Ontario Pension Plan
• We will invest in your growth through ongoing learning opportunities, individual development planning, and education assistance programs
• We offer a hybrid work environment with 3 days in office (Tuesday, Thursday and one other day per week in office), or as required subject to business needs

UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, persons with disabilities and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.