Reporting to the Director, Communications, Brand & Stakeholder Relations and with oversight from the Vice President and Chief Customer & Product Officer, the Media and Public Relations Lead manages the Corporation’s public image by building and maintaining strategic relationships with media, stakeholders and the public, ensuring clear and effective communication with all audiences.

In this role, you will manage proactive and reactive media relations while planning, organizing and implementing activities to generate positive earned media support of corporate objectives. On an ongoing basis, you will maintain good working relationships with media, actively providing positive and informed context for interactions with the Corporation while mitigating negative coverage across traditional and online media outlets.

You will also manage the Corporation’s social media channels, implementing a strategy to effectively connect with Manitobans online through compelling content delivery.

• Prepare and distribute corporate media content, including news releases, public statements, website copy and FAQs.
• Develop proactive relationships with Manitoba media and effectively represent MPI’s position as a provincial Crown corporation.
• Develop and execute public relations strategies, including objectives, tactics and measurements. Lead all corporate, media and public relations events and directly support the Vice President and Chief Customer & Product Officer as the primary road safety executive spokesperson on behalf of the Corporation.
• Develop and execute a media monitoring and evaluation framework to measure tone, type, quantity and quality of coverage quickly and effectively.
• Maintain an understanding of industry trends and make appropriate recommendations.
• Speak on behalf of the Corporation in media interviews, press conferences and presentations; and/or prepare corporate representatives for interviews. Accurately represent the corporate position using approved messages.
• Coordinate timely responses to media inquiries. Conduct research and analysis of each issue, determine the most appropriate method and person to respond on behalf of the corporation, and prepare persuasive messages that are consistent with corporate positioning and priorities.
• Develop and deliver outward-facing communications to address moderately complex and often highly sensitive business issues.
• Research, prepare, post and manage all visual and written content on MPI’s corporate social media channels.
• Respond to customer comments and direct messages, providing information or redirecting as necessary.

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline.
• Five years of experience leading complex journalism, public relations, and communication projects that include proactive and reactive media management.

OR

• Diploma or Certificate in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline from a recognized university or college.
• Seven years of experience leading complex journalism, public relations, and communication projects that include proactive and reactive media management.
  
  The ideal experience also includes:

• Direct experience in successfully overseeing a media relations function.
• Experience planning, creating and managing social media channels.
• Direct experience in a high-performance media relations role is a strong asset.
• Direct experience as a reporter is an asset.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Expert verbal and written communication skills. Write clear, engaging, and error-free copy for a variety of communication materials, channels, and purposes
• Proficiency in both English and French is preferred but not required.
• Communicate calmly, persuasively, and appropriately during interviews and confrontational situations.
• In-depth understanding of traditional and online media, including journalism principles, news cycles, interview techniques, and how to adapt messages to suit multiple channels/mediums.
• Strong understanding of social media principles and experience working with Meta-based platforms.

Health benefits

We offer a comprehensive health benefits program that includes:

• flexible health, dental and vision plans
• health spending account
• travel health coverage
• other extended health benefits such as ambulance, massage and physiotherapy

Financial security

In an effort to support financial security, we offer:

• registered pension plan
• group, dependent, and optional life insurance coverage
• sick leave to cover short-term disability
• long-term disability

Wellness

We offer programs that focus on how to better achieve a balance between work and personal commitments, as well as maintain a healthy workplace culture. This includes:

• vacation entitlement
• maternity, parental and adoptive leaves
• bereavement and family responsibility leaves
• employee and family assistance program
• mental-health programming
• onsite employee gym facility (Cityplace)
• discounted gym memberships
• wellness account

Diversity and inclusion

Manitoba Public Insurance believes that diversity and inclusion strengthens us. We consider ourselves to be a barrier-free organization where individual values, beliefs and practices are respected and appreciated for the diversity they bring to our work life.

Employee recognition

It’s important to recognize our employees for their contributions. Not only do we recognize employees as they achieve milestone years in their careers, we also have several outlets for leaders and peers to reward each other for work well done.

Professional development

We want our employees to grow, which is why we offer support in keeping their skills up to date. We offer in-house training, professional development and an educational assistance program.

Safety and health

In an effort to encourage a safe and healthy work environment, we offer various safety, health and workplace policies and programs along with technical expertise and assistance to support employee activities in safety and health.