Job Description

PR Specialist (Publicist/Senior Publicist)

Changing the world, one book at a time.

As a team of dedicated book-loving professionals, we discover, shape, and share content that nurtures thoughts, dreams, and conversations around the globe, ensuring that both new and established voices are heard.

As one of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s Top Employers, Great Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s Top Employers, and Canada\xe2\x80\x99s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, our extensive range of people-centric policies and programs such as our generous paid time off policies, flexible work environment, expanded mental wellness benefits are why we stand out across the board as one of the country\xe2\x80\x99s best places to work.

We are actively seeking to add team members from communities with lived experiences of marginalization and underrepresentation. We respect and value each individual and their lived experiences and are committed to creating a more diverse team and establishing a culture of belonging. If you self-identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community or another marginalized group, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Our team is seeking a creative and collaborative PR pro to join our team.

Are you passionate about storytelling and sharing a broad range of voices and perspectives with the world? Do you get a thrill from being the person to introduce your friends and family to the latest buzzy book, TV show, or podcast? Do you get a rush from working with interesting partners to put on the perfect event?

We are growing our PR team and are looking for someone with experience developing strategic publicity campaigns across a variety of engaging topics \xe2\x80\x93 someone who can create and pitch compelling stories to media partners, who has experience handling PR for author talent, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail is still paramount.

If this describes you, consider joining us on an exciting journey as we write new chapters of Penguin Random House Canada\xe2\x80\x99s culture and employee experience story together.

Your contribution to the story:

At Penguin Random House Canada, you\xe2\x80\x99ll be part of a vibrant and growing company that is home to acclaimed authors such as Margaret Atwood, Cherie Dimaline, Chris Hadfield, Zadie Smith, Naomi Klein, Colson Whitehead, Salman Rushdie, Sarah Polley, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Emily Henry, Cormac McCarthy, Celeste Ng and John Irving, among many other brilliant writers.

Our mission is to change the world, one book at a time, by connecting our authors to as many readers as possible.

Reporting to the Group Director, Marketing and Publicity, you will work collaboratively with publishing, sales, and marketing colleagues to create, execute, and report on the effectiveness of promotional campaigns designed to create awareness, reach targeted audiences, support book sales, and provide exemplary author care.

What you\xe2\x80\x99ll do:

• Plan and execute publicity campaigns that generate awareness and drive sales for our books and authors
• Create compelling pitches to secure media and online coverage and interviews for a wide range of emerging and established authors, across fiction, and non-fiction
• Work with partners (and seek out new ones) to create memorable consumer-facing events.
• Coordinate all aspects of author promotional tours, including accompanying authors to GTA media interviews and events.
• Work closely with authors (and their teams, when applicable), leading meetings, communicating publicity strategy, and preparing them for appearances with talking points and media training.
• Pursue creative ways to place content and promote our books and authors via influencers, and partnership opportunities.
• Work alongside your colleagues in Marketing to ensure that all campaign and promotional plans and messaging are complementary and targeted.
• This role will require some travel within Toronto for author events and author escorting which may include evening and weekend events.

Experience and knowledge you\xe2\x80\x99ll bring (qualifications):

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in publicity, public relations, communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated success working with traditional and non-traditional Canadian media channels.
• Experience planning and executing public events, coordinating media tours, and escorting talent.
• A continuously developing network of media and influencer contacts.
• Proven ability to build effective end-to-end publicity campaigns.
• Excellent customer service skills built on a foundation of strong communication.
• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills.
• A proactive, analytical, and imaginative approach to problem-solving.
• Strong time management skills and above-average attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative digital tools including Slack, Asana, Google Docs, etc.
• Experience using Cision, Muckrack, and Meltwater, is considered a bonus.
• An inclusive approach, supported by cultural competency and a proven ability to collaborate with people from across a wide range of diverse backgrounds.
• Enhanced knowledge, awareness, and experience with the culture and history of any community that has faced marginalization is considered a plus.
• And of course, a deep passion for books!

Candidates must be within commuting distance of Toronto. Our beautiful offices are open and we are currently working in a flexible/hybrid work model.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and their resume by March 5, 2023. Does this role sound like a dream job but you don\xe2\x80\x99t meet all of the requirements? Please consider applying. We will review your application. Use your cover letter to outline your interest, your passion for books, and why this is the right role for you.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please contact Human Resources at hrcanada@penguinrandomhouse.com or 416-364-4449 if you need accommodation at any stage of the application process or want more information on our accommodation policies.

Penguin Random House