📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Public Relations Advisor
🔹 Company: Desjardins
🔹 Location: Aurora, Colorado, United States (Remote/Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site, 2 days remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Promoting Desjardins' internal experts and executives within the industry and media
- Engaging with external stakeholders to amplify and promote Desjardins
- Developing and executing communications plans that align with company goals
- Writing and editing PR-related content for various platforms
- Providing expert counsel and recommendations to stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex projects and relationships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and maintain relationships with key media contacts to pitch stories and secure media coverage
✅ Develop and execute communications plans that align with company goals and support different divisions
✅ Write and edit press releases, articles, and other PR-related content for diverse stakeholders
✅ Act as a spokesperson and provide expert counsel to executives and management
✅ Develop proactive, compelling communications initiatives to promote Desjardins and its experts
✅ Evaluate PR activities, collect data, and provide data-driven recommendations
✅ Provide insights and recommendations based on trends and knowledge of the Canadian financial market and economy
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field
Experience: A minimum of seven years of relevant experience
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in media relations
- Experience as a spokesperson
- Experience in project management
- Expert proficiency in English, both oral and written
- Advanced knowledge of editing and proofreading
- Advanced intermediate knowledge of the Canadian financial market and economy
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in crisis communications
- Fluency in French
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with additional relevant certifications (e.g., Accredited Business Communicator, Certified in Public Relations) may be given preference.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000 CAD per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior PR role in Canada)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and annual bonus
- 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Group insurance including telemedicine
- Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), flexible schedule with some remote work available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, offering a full range of financial products and services.
Company Size: Desjardins has over 10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: Desjardins was founded in 1900 and has since grown to become one of Canada's leading financial institutions.
Company Description:
- Desjardins is a member-owned cooperative that prioritizes its members' best interests
- The company offers a wide range of financial services, including banking, investments, insurance, and wealth management
- Desjardins is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, with a focus on supporting local communities and reducing its environmental impact
Company Specialties:
- Retail banking
- Wealth management
- Insurance
- Investment services
Company Website: www.desjardins.com
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins' cooperative structure and focus on member-ownership set it apart from other financial institutions and may impact the company culture and decision-making processes.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, with significant responsibility and autonomy
Reporting Structure: The Senior Public Relations Advisor will report directly to the Director of Public Relations and work closely with various departments and executives
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with 3 days on-site and 2 days remote per week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a Director or Vice President role within the Communications department
- Opportunities to lead special projects or initiatives
- possibility to gain experience in different areas of communications or within other departments
ASSUMPTION: Given Desjardins' size and diverse offerings, there may be opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Desjardins' Aurora office is a modern, collaborative workspace with open-concept seating and various meeting rooms
Office Location(s): 333 First Commerce Dr. Aurora, CO 80010
Geographic Context:
- Aurora is a suburb of Denver, Colorado, with a population of approximately 380,000
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions
- Colorado has a semi-arid climate, with four distinct seasons and an average annual snowfall of 53 inches
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible hours and some remote work available
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and have access to reliable transportation for on-site workdays.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a panel of team members
- Final interview with the Director of Public Relations
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and media relations experience
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Desjardins' values
- Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include specific examples of your media relations, project management, and communications successes
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Canadian financial market and Desjardins' business
ATS Keywords: Public Relations, Media Relations, Project Management, Communications Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Canadian Financial Market, English Proficiency
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins may use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so including relevant keywords can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in using relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Member-centricity
- Integrity
- Expertise
- Innovation
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Results-driven and proactive
- Strong communicator and team player
- Adaptable and resilient
- Strategic thinker and problem solver
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate member-centricity in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage a complex project or crisis situation?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and news, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your work?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to articulate how their personal values and work style align with Desjardins' corporate values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Dealing with sensitive or controversial issues that may impact Desjardins' reputation
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and balancing on-site and remote work
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing media landscape
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would address these challenges and provide examples of their problem-solving skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other senior PR roles, this position requires a strong focus on media relations and acting as a spokesperson
- In the Canadian financial market, understanding the industry and its trends is crucial for success in this role
- Career progression in communications may involve moving into management or specialized roles, such as corporate communications or investor relations
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles and understand the unique aspects of this position within Desjardins.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a media relations campaign to launch a new financial product
- Managing a crisis communication situation, such as a data breach or negative media coverage
- Creating and implementing a communications plan to support a company-wide initiative or event
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and provide specific examples of their successes.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role support Desjardins' overall business strategy and objectives?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Communications department, and how can this role address them?
- How does Desjardins support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in a hybrid work environment?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Communications department or the broader organization?
- How does Desjardins approach diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your media relations, project management, and communications successes
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Canadian financial market and Desjardins' business
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
