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Form of workSunwing Vacations Group is home to North America’s largest vacation brands, comprised of the leading Canadian leisure tour operators Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, along with the growing United States based tour operator Vacation Express, together with the Group’s own travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com and Luxe Destination Weddings. Our culture is driven by our EPIC Values (entrepreneurial, passionate, innovative, and customer-centric) and our teams work together to deliver our purpose “passionate people making vacation dreams come true”.
About Us:
Sunwing Vacations Group is home to North America’s largest vacation brands, comprised of the leading Canadian leisure tour operators Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, along with the growing United States based tour operator Vacation Express, together with the Group’s own travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com and Luxe Destination Weddings. Our culture is driven by our EPIC Values (entrepreneurial, passionate, innovative, and customer-centric) and our teams work together to deliver our purpose “passionate people making vacation dreams come true”.
The Opportunity:
Under Sunwing Vacations, we are looking for a PR & Communications Manager to join us in making vacation dreams come true. As the PR & Communications Manager, you will be responsible for the delivery of external and internal communications plans and PR/media/influencer relations in the Quebec market for Sunwing Vacations Group.
The incumbent of the role assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organization’s Quebec/French media and influencer program, proactively nurturing QC trade media and consumer media/influencer relationships, securing positive earned media coverage of Sunwing Vacations Group and its tour operating brands, securing media and interview opportunities for Quebec spokespeople, coordination of FAM trips/media & influencer stays, reviews editorial calendars for timely inclusion, ongoing coverage measurement, tracking and reporting, helping draft responses to French/Quebec media inquiries to the media inbox, executes PR plans and manages any Quebec external vendors under the direction of the Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations. Across division, meet with managers from communications, brand, product, destination, P&C and marketing teams to ensure efficient cross-team communications and processes.
The position reports to the Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations and will be located in Laval, QC.
What You’ll Do:
- Develops a targeted media relations strategy for the QC market focused on increasing positive brand awareness and trust of Sunwing Vacations Group, under the supervision of Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations and working in collaboration with Communications & PR Manager as needed
- Manages proactive and reactive QC media relations to increase positive earned media coverage and support key campaigns, including pitching French media, securing media opportunities with Quebec publications, responding to incoming French media inquiries, including to Sunwing Media inbox, coordinating Quebec-based media for media/FAM trips as required
- Liaise with key parties across the Group to gather information for upcoming QC-focused news/trade releases, campaigns and announcements, while supporting Senior Director with issues management and crisis communications when required
- Supports with drafting and editing of all French/Quebec releases before their circulation for approvals and distribution
- Ensures all distribution lists are updated on an ongoing basis and tracks ongoing media coverage on a weekly basis (quantitative and qualitative media analysis/reporting)
- Develops a QC influencer relations strategy to increase positive brand awareness of Sunwing Vacations Group under the supervision of Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations and in collaboration with PR & Influencer Marketing Manager
- Sources, vets and pitches relevant influencers/content creators that are a good fit for Sunwing Vacations Group’s tour operating brands
- Leads group FAM trips and plans individual FAM trips/influencer stays, in collaboration with PR & Influencer Marketing Manager
- Works with Brand Marketing & Product departments to identify products and destinations where PR/influencer amplification is needed
- Creates & manages all QC itineraries and fact sheets and develops POPs/coverage reports following each trip
- Builds connections with key QC-based influencers, content creators and media personalities, and leverages existing relationships to land prominent social coverage
- Manages budgets regarding influencer travel and opportunities
- Works closely with the brand and social teams to develop ambassador/influencer campaigns that are on brand and generate positive ROI for Sunwing Vacations Group
- Assists Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations with drafting positioning/statements for media inquiries and announcements relating to the company being in the news
- Assists Communications & PR Manager and Senior Director in working with P&C team on drafting relevant QC-focused internal communications
- Works with People and Culture and IT departments to ensure that send lists as accurate and up to date as possible prior to any send
- 3-5 years of extensive PR, media relations and influencer relations experience in the Quebec market in addition to proven writing experience
- Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing or similar
- Post-graduate certificate specializing in communications, public relations, journalism or similar is an asset
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- Extensive knowledge of the Quebec media relations and influencer landscape and experience pitching and liaising various types of QC media, securing media opportunities and garnering positive earned media coverage
- Very strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments
- Remote and/or Hybrid Work Opportunities
- Great travel perks!
- Goodlife Corporate Discount
- Comprehensive benefits package
- RRSP Matching Program
- Growth opportunities
- Free Parking
- Open concept, collaborative workspace
- Fresh Café with delicious snacks and meals at a subsidized price!
- Opportunity to give back through our social responsibility initiatives
- See for yourself! @sunwinglife
Diversity, equity, and inclusion - Diversity makes us EPIC; we strive to foster a culture where employees feel uniquely themselves and part of a team. Violence and harassment prevention and response - We partnered with White Ribbon to help us create a survivor-centric, trauma informed policy and educational programs used by all our divisions. Total wellbeing - Our approach is for holistic opportunities to help employees Be EPIC and Be Well. Learning and development - Our offerings are focused on the development of competencies, personal leadership, and leadership in groups and teams.
We will accommodate all applicants throughout the hiring process. If you are an individual who requires accommodation to apply to this position, please email arozario@sunwing.ca
We thank all who apply however only those who meet the qualifications will be contacted.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion - Diversity makes us EPIC; we strive to foster a culture where employees feel uniquely themselves and part of a team. Violence and harassment prevention and response - We partnered with White Ribbon to help us create a survivor-centric, trauma informed policy and educational programs used by all our divisions. Total wellbeing - Our approach is for holistic opportunities to help employees Be EPIC and Be Well. Learning and development - Our offerings are focused on the development of competencies, personal leadership, and leadership in groups and teams.
We will accommodate all applicants throughout the hiring process. If you are an individual who requires accommodation to apply to this position, please email arozario@sunwing.ca
