Media Relations Strategist

Job Information

Date Posted: 01/27/2026

Req : 46750

Faculty/Division: Office of the President

Department: Office of Vice President, Communications

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Media Relations, the incumbent plays a pivotal role in strengthening the University’s reputation and presence in key local, national and global media markets by being a strategic advisor and resource to key senior stakeholders at the University; and by actively implementing a media relations strategy through managing media relations officers and direct engagement with relevant journalists and influencers.

• Managing the Media Relations Officers and strategic media planning in key areas of priority, in consultation with the Director, Media Relations; the Vice‑President, Communications; and other media‑savvy academic leaders across the University, and implementing those plans.
• Leveraging relationships with targeted journalists in desired local, national and global media, knowing at any time what those journalists are working on, working to build base knowledge among reporters about U of T’s key areas of research and teaching strength, and advancing stories in a way that garners media coverage of strategic value to the University.

• University degree in communications or journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in communications, public relations and proactive media relations (including global media).
• Demonstrated experience managing teams.
• Advising senior leaders on media relations strategies, and developing story pitches that raise the public profile of an organization.
• Demonstrated success pitching stories to media on a range of topics.
• Solid knowledge of the University of Toronto and/or post‑secondary institutions.
• Experience writing news stories in a public relations or newsroom setting would be an asset.
• Strong relationships with both local and national industry media outlets an asset.

• Demonstrated skill in managing relationships and requests with tact, diplomacy and persuasion.
• Extensive media relations acumen, including a demonstrated ability to formulate and execute media strategies to advance the goals of the organization.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with reporters in key outlets in Canada and globally.
• Superior writing and editing skills and familiarity with Canadian Press style.
• Ability to digest and translate complex information for a general audience, and advance stories that touch on a range of academic disciplines.
• Outstanding news judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate earned‑media strategies, and demonstrated ability to execute those ideas effectively.
• Strong story development abilities.
• Demonstrated skill in advising senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytic research skills.
• Strong and effective verbal communications skills.
• Strong time management skills, ability to prioritize effectively and undertake multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong background in developing new communications strategies to suit communications needs of complex environments.
• Ability to work closely with – and gain the confidence of – senior members of an organization.
• Ability to make well‑considered and sustainable decisions on behalf of the University and its leaders.
• Proven ability to multi‑task and be reliable under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to adapt and work in a consistently supportive manner with colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate quickly and productively across divisional boundaries.
• Ability to work quickly and under intense pressure; high attention to detail and ensuring high levels of accuracy and consistent quality.
• Persistence in gaining access to experts in support of media relations goals.
• Good understanding of social media, and awareness of how reporters engage through channels such as Twitter.

Note: This is an 18‑month term and secondments are welcome.

Closing Date: 02/05/2026, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Personnel Subarea: PM

Appointment Type: Budget – Term;
This is an 18‑month term and secondments…