About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the worlds largest urban innovation hubs.

MaRS supports promising high-growth companies to scale their businesses globally, while tackling key societal challenges in areas such as Health, Cleantech, Finance, Transportation, AI, and others. In addition to helping start-ups launch, grow and scale, the MaRS community is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration, commercialization of discoveries, and driving ideas to impact.

MaRS is the place where you can play ameaningful role in our innovation economy.

We understand qualifications on a job posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the role and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. Were always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS.

We actively encourage all candidates, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process. Please reach out to [email protected] if theres anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.

About Marketing & Communications

The Marketing & Communications (MarCom) team at MaRS drives brand awareness, supports internal business unit marketing, and helps startups gain national and international exposure.

We manage the MaRS brand, ensuring it attracts top ventures, corporate partners, and investors through strategic campaigns and high-impact events. Our team also provides marketing expertise to business units, crafting content, newsletters, and event promotions that amplify our programs.

About the Position

The Manager, Media Relations is responsible for managing public relations, media strategies, and social media initiatives to support MaRS programs and ventures during the contract. This role focuses on amplifying the visibility of MaRS-supported programs and clients, promoting innovation success stories, and building strong relationships with media partners and stakeholders. The role helps position MaRS and its ecosystem as a global hub for talent, investment, and innovation while supporting the MaRS content and marketing teams through strong writing and content development.

This is a 1-year contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Media relations and PR strategy for MaRS programs and ventures
  • Develop and execute PR strategies to support MaRS programs and promote key initiatives in health, climate and emerging tech.
  • Build and maintain relationships with media contacts, journalists and influencers to secure media coverage for MaRS-supported ventures and programs.
  • Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and briefing documents tailored to specific programs and ventures.
  • Coordinate and manage media interviews and media events highlighting MaRS clients and programs.
  • Monitor media coverage, track PR metrics, and prepare reports on the effectiveness of PR campaigns.
  
  
• Content development, writing and media outreach for clients and ventures
  • Develop compelling content, including thought leadership articles, op-eds, media pitches and support the MaRS content team with written materials.
  • Collaborate with program teams to identify stories and newsworthy developments within MaRS-supported ventures.
  • Produce engaging content for social media channels, including writing posts, identifying opportunities for engagement, and supporting the broader marketing team.
  • Manage media outreach for program-specific events, including preparing media kits and coordinating on-site media support.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
  • Collaborate with MaRS program teams and external partners to align PR strategies with organizational and client goals.
  • Provide strategic advice and media training to MaRS leadership, program leads and venture spokespeople.
  • Engage with ecosystem partners, startups, and stakeholders to identify collaborative PR opportunities that support MaRS mission.
  • Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to support long-term media engagement for MaRS programs and ventures.
• Social media strategy and execution
  • Create and execute social media strategies across different platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) to promote MaRS programs and ventures.
  • Write social media posts, monitor engagement and identify opportunities to amplify key messages and announcements.
  • Collaborate with the digital team to align social media activities with overall PR and marketing strategies.
  • Provide insights and recommendations on social media trends and best practices to support MaRS digital presence.
• Project management and reporting
  • Manage multiple PR projects for MaRS programs and clients, ensuring timely execution of deliverables.
  • Track PR activities and maintain detailed records of media interactions and coverage for MaRS-supported ventures.
  • Prepare post-campaign reports and analyze PR performance to inform future strategies for both MaRS and its clients.
  • Attend internal meetings. Provide updates on media and opportunities as required.
  • Support with events promotion and project management, as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, journalism, business, arts or science
• 5+ years in PR, events, journalism/broadcasting or corporate communications
• Strong media relations and storytelling skills, including a focus on program and client promotion.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Proficiency in media monitoring tools and PR software such as Cision, Muck Rack, Google Slides, to name a few
• Experience working with tech startups, innovation programs, or in the broader innovation ecosystem, an asset
• Familiarity with digital media strategies and social media platforms to amplify program and venture success stories, an asset

Applications will close at 5pm EDT on April 7, 2025.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada and reside in Ontario.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000, extended healthcare benefits, lifestyle spending account, and paid time-off.

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