Senior Manager, External Communications

The Opportunity: Senior Manager, External Communications

The Senior Manager, External Communications is an experienced corporate communications professional who will lead the planning, development, and delivery of critical financial reporting activities, including the annual report and annual meeting, alongside various corporate and investment communications initiatives. This role bridges corporate communications, financial reporting, and stakeholder engagement, requiring a confident communicator capable of translating complex investment and financial information into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences. You will also be responsible for the day-to-day management and evaluation of one highly skilled and experienced direct report.

Who You'll Work With

You will report directly to the Director, External Communications.

What You'll Do

Financial Reporting

• Play a leading role in articulating Ontario Teachers’ advancements against strategic priorities by shaping and executing the corporate reporting strategy, including concept development, writing, and project management of financial reporting events and materials such as the Annual Report, mid-year report, and Annual Meeting.
• Take leadership of the end-to-end annual reporting process, from initial concept and narrative framework through final publication and the planning and execution of the Annual Meeting.
• Collaborate across the enterprise with senior leadership in Investments, Finance, Risk, Sustainable Investing, and Legal to shape financial reporting themes, key messages, and structures, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and priorities.
• Manage timelines, workflows, and dependencies to meet immovable publication deadlines.

Corporate & Investment Communications

• Develop and execute proactive communications strategies to build Ontario Teacher’s brand and profile.
• Contribute to corporate communications initiatives that advance the organization’s reputation and strategic priorities.
• Engage with investment teams on strategic communications needs, including messaging, presentations, thought leadership, and external materials.
• Provide communications advice to senior leaders and subject-matter experts on complex or sensitive topics.

Media Relations & Issues Management

• Execute select media relations activities, including drafting materials, preparing spokespeople, and responding to media inquiries.
• Take an active role in issues management and reputational risk communications, including message development and coordination across teams.
• Monitor external trends, media coverage, and stakeholder sentiment relevant to the organization.

General Communications Support

• Collaborate with colleagues across Marketing & Communications to ensure consistency and effective integration.
• Uphold and evolve the organization’s voice, tone, and brand standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of communications processes and tools.
• Flexible hours during evenings and weekends to meet tight timelines and fast turnarounds as necessary are essential.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Corporate Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years in corporate communications, financial communications, or reporting.
• Experience in pension funds, asset management, financial services, or public-sector institutions preferred.
• Experience leading the delivery of annual reporting preferred.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to simplify technical content.
• Strong project management skills with experience managing multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
• Experience working with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Critical analysis, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Exceptional writing ability, creativity, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to effectively translate complex financial, investment, and governance content into clear, accessible language.
• Strategic thinker with strong editorial judgment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven.
• Confident communicator who can influence without authority.
• Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity.
• Excellent leadership, teamwork, and collaborative skills.
• Highly motivated and results-driven.
• Ability to work during evenings and weekends as needed.

What We’re Offering

Ontario Teachers’ provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development, comprehensive employer-paid benefits coverage, and retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan. You’ll have the opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program, enjoy a flexible work environment combining in-office collaboration and remote working, competitive time off, and our Flexible Travel Program allowing you to work abroad for up to a month each year. Employee discount programs like Edvantage and Perkopolis are also available. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where talent is respected, accepted, and empowered.

Key skills/competency

• Corporate Communications
• Financial Reporting
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Media Relations
• Issues Management
• Strategic Communications
• Writing & Editing
• Project Management
• Brand Building
• Executive Advisory