Purpose

As a member of the Enterprise Communications team within Global Corporate Affairs, the Senior Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management , will play a leading role in protecting and enhancing Scotiabank’s reputation. Key responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets; coordinating the Bank’s response to media and reputational issues and supporting teams across the Bank; overseeing media monitoring and analysis; ownership of parent company communications related to quarterly and annual reporting, M&A, and other initiatives; and planning, developing, and delivering effective communication strategies to support Scotiabank’s enterprise-led initiatives and programs.

Accountabilities

• Coordinate the management and response to various media or reputational issues across the Bank

• Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leaders and teams across the bank to provide expert advice, analysis and strategies to manage through challenging reputational issues

• Develop strong media relationships and engage with both Canadian and international media as a corporate spokesperson

• Manage the Bank’s parent company communications, such as communications related to quarterly and annual reporting, M&A, and other regulatory initiatives, including developing workback schedules, strategic communications plans and materials, news releases for distribution, leader guides, and other resources.

• Act as project manager for the communications workstream of significant enterprise regulatory initiatives, including developing communications playbooks, strategies and testing documentation for financial regulators.

• Support broader corporate communications initiatives, including policies, playbooks, investor days, and annual general meetings.

• Assist with news and social media monitoring to provide decision-makers with timely updates and analysis, and to proactively identify and manage breaking issues, oversee production of a daily media summary and other reporting as needed, and manage vendor relationships

• Assist in the development and execution of internal and external communication strategies and tactics, including positioning and key message development, stakeholder analysis, and coordination with other communications partners to advance strategic priorities and drive stakeholder engagement

Necessary Skills & Experience

• Significant, demonstrated media relations and issues management experience

• Superior written and oral presentation skills

• Comfort working in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment, with an ability to remain calm under pressure

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with meticulous attention to detail

• Ability to balance multiple priorities and work independently

• A high degree of comfort briefing, supporting, and engaging with senior executives

• Proven ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with colleagues across a range of functions

• An ability to solve problems and work in a matrixed environment

• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to take on tasks outside of core responsibilities

• A commitment to curiosity, and professional and personal growth

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years communications, media relations and issues management experience, preferably gained in an agency, government, or large multinational environment
• Post-secondary degree in journalism, public relations or equivalent experience
• Ability and willingness to regularly work non-standard hours, including mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Financial services sector experience is an asset
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is an asset