Head of PR and Events

Job Description

We believe small businesses are at the heart of our communities, and championing them is worth fighting for. We empower small business owners to manage their finances fearlessly, by offering the simplest, all-in-one financial management solution they can't live without. About the Role: As the Head of PR and Events at Wave, you will play a crucial role in shaping our company's external brand amplification strategy. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute plans that effectively convey Wave’s mission, products, and services to micro business owners through earned media opportunities, partnerships and events. This role involves crafting compelling narratives and thought leadership campaigns to promote Wave’s innovative solutions and enhance its presence within the SMB market. Key to our growth and amplification pillars, you will be responsible for the PR and Events strategy within the broader Marketing team. You will leverage your prior experience as a disruptor and change agent, bringing innovative approaches to amplify Wave’s brand. Your proven ability to execute large-scale grassroots and community events will be instrumental in creating virality and buzz, ultimately driving Wave’s mission forward. Your tasks will include: Engaging with journalists, thought leaders, partners (including our parent company, H&R Block) agencies and influencers to create impactful communication materials and campaigns that tell the Wave story and highlight our unique selling proposition. Through these relationships and campaigns, you will leverage industry events or host our own co-sponsored events with the goal of amplifying Wave’s brand story. You will manage Wave’s external PR consultants, and support Wave’s executive leadership team to ensure communications strategies are closely aligned with overall business objectives in a measurable way.

Here's how you will make an impact:

• Acting as the go-to PR subject matter expert for Wave in the US and Canada.
• Creating and implementing PR and Events strategies from the ground up, with the goal of amplifying our brand by being one of three key inputs into our Amplification Flywheel (along with Content, and Community Building) and where applicable, securing coverage in priority media outlets across North America.
• Developing and implementing a strategic, proactive, year-long editorial calendar of events, announcements, influencer and other storytelling opportunities and subsequent pitches, integrated with Wave’s content/social/community calendar
• Staying on top of trends that impact micro business owners, as well as the broader financial services industry, in order to inform the broader Amplification strategy for the Company.
• Working with our PR consultants, evaluate, source, and manage speaking and other profile-building opportunities for our executive leadership team within consumer, partner, leadership, and tech communities.
• Partnering with stakeholders across the business to stay abreast of potential amplification opportunities, and integrate those into marketing communication initiatives as appropriate.
• Collaborating with our content agency and internal and external creative teams to develop content for amplification purposes and/or provide content—including podcasts, blog posts, influencer and customer content—that can be repurposed in other ways to further our marketing goals.
• Building relationships with, and developing joint speaking, media relations and/or events programs alongside key strategic business partners (e.g. Visa, Plaid) and manage ongoing relationships with key brand awareness partners (e.g. The Shorty Awards).
• Collaborating with Wave’s parent company (H&R Block) as needed on media-related issues and content.
• Researching, writing, and distributing press releases; managing inquiries from media, potential partners, and other organizations.
• Managing external PR and communication resources to ensure we’re on strategy, time, and budget.
• Ensuring consistency of company-wide proactive + reactive external communication.
• Providing strategic recommendations to senior business leaders.
• Protecting Wave’s reputation, including providing counsel for potential issues management and/or crisis communications scenarios.
• Manage and develop the Brand Marketing Specialist and their mandate to bridge the gap between Content and PR for the purpose of community building.

You'll thrive here by possessing the following:

• 10+ years of experience in Public Relations, preferably in B2B or Financial Services.
• Formal education in communications or related field.
• Experience navigating the SMB media landscape across North America - you should know who’s who, and what’s what!
• Ability to build relationships internally and externally across all levels; establishing credibility as a subject matter expert in PR.
• Solid background in event management.
• A strategic mindset and strong understanding of the business, which helps you navigate ambiguity and complexity without sacrificing what’s important.
• A bias towards proactively collaborating amongst team members and cross-functionally throughout the organization to truly understand business goals, value props, product features, and what makes Wave unique.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey and persuade PR/messaging strategies, tactics, and recommendations.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an understanding that consistency in look, feel, tone, language, and accuracy of information (especially given our particular line of business) is mission critical.
• Excellent judgment under pressure.
• Quick-witted, entrepreneurial, and intellectually curious, capable of managing numerous projects with tight deadlines.

At Wave, you’re treated like the incredible human being you are. Work From Where You Work Best: We will always have a welcoming, energizing, and world-class office (in Toronto) with a space for you. Or, if you’re more comfortable working from home, the choice is yours . We Care About Future You: You will stretch yourself and you will grow at Wave. You will also be supported on this journey with diverse learning experiences, educational allowances, mentorship, and so much more. We Support the Full You: We make a serious investment in your health & wellness. When we think about benefits we think about body, mind, & soul and we take this stuff very seriously. We Take Care of the Fundamentals: Fair compensation, all the office perks you’d want, and the various goodies you’d expect from a growing tech company. This is the obvious stuff, but we don’t want you to think we forgot! We believe that a diverse and inclusive culture creates the best workplace. We embrace our differences, value individuality, and the broad spectrum of every Waver's skills and abilities. We challenge each other from a place of respect and pursuit of continuous growth. We trust each other and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work, everyday. As Wavers, our voices matter, our opinions are met with an open mind. The best ideas win, no matter whose they are. Contributing to an inclusive culture is a part of all of our job descriptions. We’ve been continuously recognized as one of Canada's Top Ten Most Admired Corporate Cultures and one of Canada’s Great Places to Work in categories including Technology, Millennials, Mental Health, Inclusion and Women. Are you ready to be a Waver? Join us! Apply for this job