Manager, Media Relations (1-yr Contract)

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping high-growth technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in the innovation economy.

We understand requirements 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. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS. 

We actively encourage all candidates to apply, 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 there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.

About the Position

The Manager, Media Relations leads strategic media relations and public-relations delivery for MaRS PR Accelerator clients and plays a key role in amplifying awareness of MaRS programs, cohorts and supported ventures. 

This role owns PR strategy and execution for a portfolio of high-potential startup clients while also supporting MaRS’ broader brand, leadership and program storytelling. The Manager acts as a trusted advisor to founders, program teams and internal stakeholders, helping position MaRS and its ecosystem as a global hub for talent, investment and innovation. 

This role operates as part of a highly integrated, cross functional Marketing and Communications team, working closely with marketing, content studio, social media and program (cohort) leads to deliver coordinated, audience-driven campaigns. It requires strong judgement, autonomy and the ability to translate complex innovation stories into credible, high-impact media narratives.

This is a 1-year contract opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

This role owns end-to-end PR strategy and execution for assigned clients and programs exercising independent judgement while working closely with internal teams across Marketing & Communications, programs and leadership.

Note: This job description does not represent a comprehensive listing of duties and may evolve as organizational needs change. 

Media relations and PR strategy (MaRS programs, ventures and PRA clients) 

Own and execute end-to-end PR strategies for assigned PR Accelerator clients, from discovery and planning through outreach, coverage and reporting.

Develop and deliver PR strategies that support MaRS programs and priority initiatives across health, climate and emerging technologies.

Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant journalists, editors, producers and influencers across business, tech and sector specific media.  

Write and distribute press releases, pitches media advisories, and briefing materials tailored to specific audiences and outlets. 

Coordinate and manage media interviews, announcements and events for MaRS-supported ventures and programs. 

Apply strong editorial judgement and escalate reputational or issue-related risks.

Monitor media coverage, track PR metrics and prepare reports on the effectiveness of PR campaigns.

Founder, client and spokesperson advisory

Act as PR counsel to founders and program leads, advising on newsworthiness, timing, messaging and media readiness.

Prepare spokespeople for media engagement, including message development, interview preparation and guidance on risk and disclosure.

Manage client expectations and help ventures understand the role of PR in building long-term credibility, not just short-term coverage.

Content development and storytelling

Develop compelling content including media pitches, thought leadership pieces, op-eds, contributed articles and briefing documents. 

Partner with program teams and the MaRS Content Studio to identify strong stories, proof points and narratives within MaRS supported ventures.

Support institutional storytelling that reinforces MaRS role as a convenor, ecosystem builder and platform for innovation success.

Contribute writing and editorial support for broader Marketing & Communications initiatives, as needed.

Social media strategy and amplification

Develop and execute social media strategies that support PR objectives and amplify media wins, announcements and thought leadership. 

Write and schedule posts across priority platforms (eg. LinkedIn, Gander)  monitoring performance and engagement.

Collaborate with the digital and marketing colleagues to ensure alignment across channels and campaigns. 

Provide insights on emerging social media trends relevant to innovation, startups and policy.

Project management and reporting

Manage multiple concurrent PR projects across clients and programs, balancing competing priorities and deadlines. 

Track media coverage, sentiment and quality, not just volume, using media monitoring tools

Define and report on PR outcomes and insights for PR Accelerator clients and internal stakeholders.

Prepare post-campaign reports with recommendations to inform future strategy. 

Share regular media updates, opportunities and insights with internal teams and leadership.

Requirements

Degree in communications, journalism, business, or science 

~ 5 years of progressive experience in public relations, media relations, journalism/broadcasting or corporate communications.

Experience managing multiple stakeholders or clients simultaneously, ideally in an agency or fast-paced environment

Strong media relations expertise with demonstrated success securing relevant, high-quality coverage.

Excellent writing, editing and verbal communications skills 

Ability to lead PR strategy independently and provide sound judgement under pressure

Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands

Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and influence without formal authority

Proficiency with media databases and monitoring tools (e.g. Cision, Muck Rack) and presentation tools (e.g. Google Slides)

Nice to Have

Experience working with tech startups, scaleups, or innovation-driven organizations

Familiarity with health, climate, AI or emerging technology sectors

Experience supporting executives or founders as media spokespeople

Comfort working across earned, owned and social channels in an integrated way. 

Applications will close at 12pm EDT on March 10, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada, reside in Ontario and be willing to work out of our Toronto office (101 College Street) a minimum of 3 days per week.

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

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