Job Description

We are people who want to make a difference.

Everything we do starts with people. It\'s what makes us different from all other car companies. If you share our belief in the power of people and our passion for human-centric innovation, you will thrive together with brilliant, like-minded colleagues who are committed to making a true difference?

Communications Manager

Volvo Cars Canada

Richmond Hill, ON

Imagine being part of the most exciting industry on the planet. Our future is all about tech - electrified and totally connected to people\'s everyday lives. Tech that will shift how our society functions. But how do we introduce this future in a way that\'s safe and sustainable? These are some of the questions we\'re solving here at Volvo Cars.

We\'ve set our targets big. Being all electric by 2030 and climate neutral by 2040 are just two. We\'re also bringing software development in-house and moving car sales online.

This fast transformation isn\'t for everyone. But if you\'re excited by the technological and sustainability challenges facing the auto industry and society at large, then you\'re a great fit.

Who are we?
We are a great team, passionate about Scandinavian design, safety and sustainability. We are creative and collaborative, focused on driving positive impact for Volvo, consistently looking for opportunities to evolve and improve, partnering closely with the 37 Volvo retailers to drive our collective success.

We are looking for an experienced, passionate, and creative communications leader to play a pivotal role in shaping Volvo Car Canada\'s brand image and amplify our exciting product news to drive earned media coverage.

Who are you?

You are a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit, who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is just as comfortable playing the lead as you are in a supporting role.

You have a firm grasp of the Canadian media landscape and have great relationships with both automotive, lifestyle and technology media t o help grow positive coverage.

You have a proven track record in creating buzz-worthy programs that have delivered a measurable increase in brand awareness and consideration. But most importantly, you get people talking about Volvo Car Canada - our brand, our products and our values, because you\'re as passionate about the brand as we are.

You want to lead communication initiatives and develop great stories about our brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop annual and quarterly high-impact PR/Communications plans for media storytelling in Canada to drive brand growth and consideration Volvo Car Canada
• Deepen and grow media relationships across auto, news, lifestyle and technology media to drive positive coverage.
• Develop thought leadership interview and speaking opportunities for the executive management team. Working closely with the Managing Director, prepare for interview and speaking opportunities including brief development, media coordination as well as leading the MDs LinkedIn content.
• Work closely with the Managing Director to develop internal communications for employees, as well communications (ie. announcements, bulletins) for our 37 Canadian retailers
• Working with the North American employee communications lead for alignment, lead internal communications with employees
• Collaborate, support and execute regional, North American and global media launches and events, ensuring all marketing and PR efforts work in complement, synergistically and in alignment with the Volvo brand
• Lead agency partners and vendors to develop and execute impactful go-to-market strategies, across PR/Communications, earned influencers and media to maximize Canadian media coverage
• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop product messaging and launch materials for media
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations strategy
• Lead and manage our press fleets across Canada (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal)
• Confidently manage crisis moments including product recall communications; customer service complaints and inquiries
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including (but not limited to) advertising, experiential, social media, CRM, product & technology, and sales
• Display excellent verbal and written communications skills, with a keen ability to engage in meaningful and productive conversations, both online and off
• Represent communications strategies, plans and results across the organization, including presenting to senior executives and our retailer network
• Effectively manage budgets, vendor scopes of work, and resource allocation
• Lead and manage PR/Communications KPIs, continuously optimizing plans to deliver and exceed our annual goals

Qualifications

• At least 10+ years\' experience leading PR/Communications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including effective presentation skills
• Established relationships with key automotive media
• Proven experience in developing and executing innovative, impactful PR and communications strategies
• Experience in developing proactive stories and writing impactful media releases for auto, lifestyle, news and technology media
• Excellent judgment regarding what is newsworthy and promotable, and how to position news as relevant to the media and their audience
• Experience leading agency relationships
• Experience with building executive profiles across all channels
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and balance competing priorities
• A roll-up your sleeves \xe2\x80\x9cget-it-done\xe2\x80\x9d mindset
• Ability to handle high-pressure projects while staying resilient and positive under pressure
• A passion for Volvo Cars and an ability to engage diverse audiences
• Possess a strategic mindset, creative approach, and proven ability to execute
• High degree of attention to detail
• Confident decision making with a bias for action
• Comfort with change and ambiguity
• Strong networking, relationship-building, and collaboration skills
• Team player with a strong ability to work with cross-functional teams and communicate proactively and collaborate with key stakeholders across Canada and the US
• Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage data to inform decision making
• University degree in business or relevant subject such as journalism, media relations
• Automotive experience is ideal
• Bilingual (English, French) is preferred
• Excited to work in a hybrid role based in Richmond Hill, Ontario

Who are we?

Everything we do starts with people. Our purpose is to provide freedom to move, in a personal, sustainable and safe way. We are committed to simplifying our customers\' lives by offering better technology solutions that improve their impact on the world and bringing the most advanced mobility innovations to protect them, their loved ones and the people around them.

Volvo Cars\' continued success is the result of a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive working environment. The people of Volvo Cars are committed to making a difference in our world. Today, we are one of the most well-known and respected car brands, with over 40,000 employees across the globe. We believe in bringing out the best in each other and harnessing the true power of people. At Volvo Cars your career is designed around your talents and aspirations so you can reach your full potential. Join us on a journey of a lifetime as we create safety, autonomous driving and electrification technologies of tomorrow.

Richmond Hill, ON, CA, L4B3Z4

Job requisition ID: 67344

Volvo Cars