Associate

Associate, Corporate Work location Toronto, Ontario (hybrid) About us For 50 years, NATIONAL has worked alongside organizations as they navigate change, protect reputation, and solve the business challenges that matter most. In Toronto, our Corporate team supports clients across sectors and works closely with colleagues across practices to deliver integrated communications programs, from media relations and stakeholder engagement to issues management, digital, and campaign support. We're looking for an associate who is curious, organized, and ready to roll up their sleeves to help keep great client work moving.

The role You'll support communications mandates from planning through execution, helping teams bring client work to life while building a strong foundation in client service. Working closely with colleagues across the Toronto office, you'll contribute to day-to-day client activities, assist in developing communications materials, and support the delivery of integrated programs across corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and digital channels. This role is ideal for someone early in their career who wants broad agency exposure, enjoys practical execution, and is motivated to learn by doing.

You'll be hands-on with research, writing, monitoring, reporting, and coordination, while gaining exposure to a range of clients, sectors, and practice areas.

Key Responsibilities

Support the day-to-day delivery of integrated communications programs across media relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, digital, social, and corporate reputation channels Develop and contribute to high-quality communications materials, including media pitches, press materials, briefing notes, key messages, social media copy, newsletters, client updates, and executive-ready summaries Conduct research, environmental scans, and monitoring across business, media, policy, competitor, stakeholder, and social/digital landscapes to identify insights, trends, risks, and opportunities Support media relations activities, including media list development, journalist research, pitch coordination, coverage tracking, and preparation of media briefing materials Use AI-enabled and digital tools responsibly to support research, content development, brainstorming, summarization, workflow efficiencies, issues tracking, reporting, and audience insights, while applying fact-checking, privacy awareness, and sound judgment Prepare client-facing reports, project updates, and campaign summaries that translate data, media coverage, and engagement metrics into clear, actionable insights Coordinate logistics and project management for meetings, events, stakeholder engagements, internal working sessions, and awareness campaigns, including agendas, briefing materials, vendor coordination, timelines, approvals, budgets, and status documents Support campaign planning, new business proposals, team brainstorming, and cross-practice collaboration while staying current on business, AI, media, and communications trends

Qualifications

2-3 years of experience in public relations, communications, corporate communications, marketing, public affairs, or a related field; agency experience is an asset Post-secondary education in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, business, political science, or a related discipline Strong writing and editing skills with excellent attention to detail Familiarity with social media platforms, media monitoring tools, and digital communications channels Interest in corporate communications, reputation management, media relations, public affairs, business issues, and integrated campaigns across sectors Comfort using AI-enabled tools, such as ChatGPT, to support research, writing, summarization, and workflow efficiency, with appropriate fact-checking and judgment Abilities Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and reliable follow-through Ability to manage competing priorities and