Intern - Public Relations (External Comms) Winter 2027

Work Term: January - April 2027

The EQ Bank Public Relations & Communications team is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Co-op Student to support corporate communications, media relations, executive communications, and reputation management initiatives across the organization.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a dynamic corporate communications function supporting a leading Canadian financial services organization. The successful candidate will work closely with communications professionals and business partners across the bank, contributing to high-profile campaigns, strategic announcements, thought leadership initiatives, media relations activities, and executive communications programs.

The position is well suited to a student who demonstrates strong writing, research, analytical, and project coordination skills and who is interested in pursuing a career in public relations, communications, journalism, or related fields.

The Core Responsibilities of the Job:

Media intelligence and reporting

• Monitor EQ Bank brands, campaigns, executives and competitor coverage through Meltwater.
• Tag, organize and clean coverage data for monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Pull reports, flag notable coverage and draft first-pass summaries, slides and internal updates.
• Support the bi-weekly media coverage newsletter by gathering coverage and preparing short blurbs.
• Prepare ongoing quarterly media reports and decks, including those going to Investor Relations, the Board, and being displayed internally on our office screens.

Owned channel amplification

• Draft first-pass corporate and executive LinkedIn copy using approved messaging.
• Support internal amplification across channels like Viva Engage and Teams.
• Prepare post-launch recaps highlighting what went live, where and when.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Legal & Compliance and external partners to support approvals.

PR materials and presentation support

• Build first-draft slides for campaign proposals, coverage reports and campaign updates.
• Pull screenshots, links and supporting materials for decks.
• Format slides to align with brand templates and existing reporting style.
• Draft concise summary emails and leadership updates.

Campaign coordination and execution support

• Maintain run-of-show documents and minute-by-minute trackers for announcements and campaigns.
• Track deadlines, approvals, stakeholder inputs and outstanding deliverables.
• Coordinate with internal teams on visual asset briefs and campaign materials.
• Take meeting notes, capture action items and send recap notes.

Media relations research and planning

• Support media list development and research relevant journalists, outlets and beats.
• Identify media trends and opportunities to support proactive pitching with agency partners.
• Track awards, speaking opportunities, editorial calendars and relevant industry events.
• Support executive briefing notes with background research and recent coverage.

Content and sponsored editorial support

• Support briefs for sponsored content opportunities with media outlets.
• Take first-pass edits on sponsored content drafts.
• Consolidate internal stakeholder feedback and track timelines through delivery.

Let's Talk About You!

• Degree or diploma / completing education in PR, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong understand of Canadian Press style & key guidelines an asset.
• Willing to work in-office at least three days a week.
• Familiarity with Meltwater media monitoring platform is a major asset.
• Familiarity with the use, development and maintenance of AI agents is a major asset.
• Strong grasp of grammar, clarity, and attention to detail.
• Able to write concise summaries, social copy, and first-draft communications.
• Naturally interested in business, media, current events, and communications.
• Asks thoughtful questions and seeks to understand the "why.
• Comfortable gathering information, synthesizing findings, and identifying key insights.
• Can distinguish between important and less relevant information
• Able to manage multiple projects, timelines, trackers, and follow-ups.
• Demonstrates accuracy and reliability in execution.
• Takes initiative rather than waiting for direction.
• Comfortable owning tasks and moving work forward independently.
• Good judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Comfortable interacting with stakeholders across different levels of the organization.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Open to feedback and eager to develop new skills.
• Works well as part of a team.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed