Animal Justice is a national animal law advocacy organization, focused on improving laws and policies to protect animals in Canada. We believe that animals need lawyers, and our legal team works to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. Canada has some of the worst animal protection laws in the Western world, and our mission is to overhaul the legal system to better reflect our country’s values of compassion and justice for all. Our team works to pass strong new animal laws at all levels of government, ensures industries and corporations are held accountable for abusing animals, and fights for animals in courtrooms across the country—and in the court of public opinion.
Animal Justice is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and ambition. We seek a skilled and driven Public Relations Manager to amplify Animal Justice’s voice and message, and secure favourable news coverage for animal protection issues. This role is an opportunity to shape how Canadians understand animal protection, build public support for systemic change, and help set the national conversation on issues ranging from farming to laboratory experimentation to wild animal protection. You’ll help Animal Justice become a more prominent and persuasive voice in Canadian public life, ensuring that animal protection becomes part of conversations where it has too often been absent.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about Animal Justice’s mission, will have a strong background in public relations, communications, and public affairs; and in-depth knowledge of the Canadian news media. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to contribute to a growing organization working on a cutting-edge social justice issue. Animal Justice offers a friendly and collaborative work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Position Specifics
Position type: Full-time
Reports to: Director of Communications
Work Location: Remote, hybrid, or at Animal Justice’s Toronto office; must be legally permitted to work in Canada
Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: $75,000 to $85,000 per annum (commensurate with years of experience)
Position Duties
The Public Relations Manager will be responsible for obtaining favourable media coverage to help tell Animal Justice’s story to the public.
Position Duties
- Develop a public relations strategy for the organization, including goals, performance-tracking, budget, and tactics.
- Craft story pitches, press releases, media kits, quotes, blog posts, web content, and op-eds.
- Pitch stories, campaigns, exposés, and videos to news media to obtain high-level story placement.
- Pitch tenaciously, following up with reporters providing useful updates and fresh angles, advocating for coverage
- Bring an entrepreneurial drive to the role, staying plugged into Animal Justice’s wider work to spot story opportunities across the organization
- Work with a media database to curate media lists, track coverage, and generate monthly reports.
- Respond to inquiries from print, online, radio, and television journalists and reporters.
- Build real relationships and trust with reporters and editors through regular contact, background conversations.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists.
- Monitor news coverage and social media outlets for topics where animals could benefit from Animal Justice’s voice in the media. Prepare rapid-response communications when opportunities arise.
- Work with the communications team to help meet communications goals, including writing, reviewing, and editing content.
- Perform other relevant public relations and communications tasks as assigned from time to time.
Position Requirements
- Minimum five years of experience with public relations. Relevant news media experience may be considered as well.
- In-depth understanding of the Canadian media landscape.
- Extensive network of relationships across media, including print, online, radio, and television considered an asset.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident story-teller, communicator, and presenter.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and responsive; able to identify opportunities and act quickly to spread the message of the organization.
- Knowledge of and interest in Canadian animal protection issues.
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to schedule effectively.
- Proficient with Google Suite, media databases, and other software, and ability to learn to use new digital tools quickly.
- Experience with public policy, the law, and/or the charitable sector is an asset.
- Able to travel a few times a year for conferences, campaigns, or team events.
- Personal commitment to Animal Justice’s philosophy and mission to help animals.
What Animal Justice Offers
- An opportunity to contribute to improving protections for animals
- A flexible work model that gives the option of remote, hybrid, or in-office
- Competitive compensation
- A supportive, collaborative, and inclusive culture
- Four weeks of paid vacation
- A comprehensive health benefits package
- An RRSP matching program
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Candidate Selection Process
(Subject to adjustments)
- Application
- Interview 1
- Exercise (compensated)
- Possibly Interview 2
- Reference Check
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single attachment in PDF format to Jennifer St. Onge at [email protected]. Please note “Public Relations Manager” and your full name in the subject line.
Applications will be accepted until 5 PM ET on November 30, 2026.
We are grateful for all applicants’ interest in the position, but only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted.
Notes on the Application Process
Animal Justice is committed to having accessible and equitable employment practices.
Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive culture absent of discrimination during the application process and after joining the team. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those from under-represented backgrounds. We believe that work on behalf of animals benefits greatly from collaborating with people from all backgrounds.
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation in the application process may email a request to [email protected].
If you meet most but not all requirements and still think you would be a great fit for the role, we encourage you to apply. We do not expect all candidates to fit this role description 100 percent. If after reviewing this job description, you have decided not to apply, please feel free to let us know why by emailing [email protected].
Together, we can help create a more just society for animals in Canada.
