Purpose
The Communications Manager role requires a strategic communications professional with excellent judgement, creativity and vision, a business mindset, ability to manage a complex and demanding portfolio, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Reporting to Vice President, Communications, Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations, this position provides coordination and implementation of various facets of the corporate communications function, including media relations, stakeholder relations, and issues and crisis management. The Communications Manager takes a lead role in coordinating earned and integrated media plans to drive secure plentiful and impactful media coverage in global markets. This role plays an integral part in advancing internal and external stakeholder relations efforts, including with government, industry, and community partners. This position works closely with the sales, marketing, and other teams across the company to offer strategic communications counsel, insights, and support.
Key Areas of Accountability
Leadership
• Demonstrate strong vision, enthusiasm, determination, and professionalism in delivering what is best for fellow team members and the company
• Lead by example, believe in the value of teamwork, celebrate achievements, and develop and mentor junior communications team members
• Provide communications counsel and support to teams and leadership across the company, in particular the marketing and sales teams
• Be creative, drive for innovation, and be resourceful in striving for business goals
Media and Public Relations
• Develop and implement creative and strategic media relations plans for the company's global markets, including managing inbound inquiries and external agencies
• Establish and nurture strong relationships with local, national and international trade, travel and consumer media and influencers; act as spokesperson, as required
• Develop, implement, and host the media familiarization program and associated broadcast productions
• Develop and implement influencer campaigns and familiarization trips; collaborate with in-house social media team to promote and amplify influencer content
• Develop and deliver communications resources and products, including news releases, speaking notes, thought-leadership articles, presentations, news releases, blog articles, and social media posts
• Prepare news releases, newsletters, reports, blog articles, and social media posts
• Monitor, analyze and report on media coverage
• Collaborate closely with the marketing and sales teams to ensure alignment of external promotional and editorial efforts in all markets
Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations
• Develop relationships with stakeholders across various levels of government; monitor, understand and report on the political landscape, government operations, and policy initiatives related to business priorities
• Support strategies to advance advocacy activities of the organization; connect with government officials and industry stakeholders to exchange information, prepare deliverables, and coordinate meetings
• Support corporate and stakeholder relations strategies by engaging key internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, business and industry associations, and government officials
• Provide communications counsel and support to company leadership and cross-company departments, including the global sales team and leadership team, for media interviews, presentations, and external stakeholder communications
• Support internal communications activities and events, as required, including intranet content, internal resources, team training, sustainability, community relations, and other areas
Issues and Crisis Communications
• Identify potential risks and issues; maintain and implement the issues and crisis communications response plan to mitigate or minimize the impacts across the business and operating regions
• Act as the lead communications role in the Incident Command System to coordinate the communications response to all irregular and emergency incidents, liaising with other responding agencies as required; be on-call during the operating season, and available to support as required throughout the remainder of the year
Qualifications
Education/Certifications/Knowledge
• Post-secondary education in communications, public relations, journalism or related field
Experience
• Minimum six years' experience in public relations, corporate communications, and/or government relations
• Experience in issues management, crisis communications, and stakeholder relations
• Experience working with senior executives and managing external agencies
• Experience in media relations and acting as a spokesperson
• Experience working with local and international media markets, including Canada, USA, UK, and Australia
• Experience in understanding and advancing policy at various levels of government
• Experience in the travel industry and knowledge of operating regions is considered an asset
Skills
• Masterful communications skills with ability to write in multiple tones, depending on the author or audience, and effectively speak to and connect with a wide variety of audiences
• Proven editorial, copywriting, editing and presentation skills with the ability to connect each piece with the strategic message and brand
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a natural relationship-builder with the ability to influence others
• Ability to work within, advise and engage all levels of the organization, from executives to frontline team members in global and remote workplaces
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Tact, diplomacy and sound judgment
• Thorough understanding of the media industry in key global markets, and ability to identify and communicate trends and industry changes
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects and deadlines accordingly
Please note this is a 13 months maternity leave coverage.
Compensation
Eligible Benefits
Rocky Mountaineer supports our team members' health and wellness by providing a comprehensive medical plan with 100% employer paid premiums, some of which includes:
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