Job Description
Senior Publicist

Senior Publicist 

 

Location: 320 Front Street, Toronto, Ontario. In office (minimum three days per week; dependent on role)  

 

Posting Type: This posting is for an existing vacancy, and we are actively accepting applications.  

 

Expected Compensation: The salary for this position begins at $54,305 and will be determined based on experience.   

 

 Changing the world, one book at a time. 

 

As a team of dedicated book-loving professionals, we discover, shape, and share content that nurtures thoughts, dreams, and conversations around the globe, ensuring that new and established voices are heard.  

 

We’re looking for a creative and collaborative Senior Publicist, focused on Food & Lifestyle, to join our team. 

 

Are you passionate about developing creative, strategic, and effective publicity campaigns?  Do you have experience working with partners to plan and execute consumer events? Do you love cookbooks and lifestyle books and dream about working with authors like Yotam Ottolenghi, Jamie Oliver, Mary Berg, Claire Saffitz, and Jillian Harris?  

 

We are growing our Marketing and Publicity team and are looking for someone with experience developing strategic publicity campaigns across a variety of engaging topics – someone who can create and pitch compelling stories to media partners, who has experience handling PR for author talent, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail is still paramount.    

 

Your contribution to the story: 

At Penguin Random House Canada, you’ll be part of a vibrant and growing company that is home to acclaimed authors such as Margaret Atwood, Cherie Dimaline, Chris Hadfield, Zadie Smith, Naomi Klein, Colson Whitehead, Salman Rushdie, Sarah Polley, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Emily Henry, Cormac McCarthy, Celeste Ng and John Irving, among many other brilliant writers.  

 

Reporting to the Group Director, Marketing & Publicity, you will create and execute strategic publicity campaigns for a range of books and authors published and distributed by Penguin Random House Canada, with a particular opportunity to bring expertise and enthusiasm for food and lifestyle campaigns. 

 

You will work collaboratively with publishing, sales, and marketing colleagues to generate awareness, reach targeted audiences, support book sales, and provide exemplary author care.  

 

What you’ll do:  

 

  • Plan and execute publicity campaigns that generate awareness and drive sales for our books and authors.  

  • Create compelling pitches to secure media and online coverage and interviews for a wide range of emerging and established authors across a number of lists, with a focus on cooking and lifestyle categories. 

  • Work with partners (and seek out new ones) to create memorable consumer facing events.   

  • Coordinate all aspects of author promotional tours, including accompanying authors to GTA media interviews and events. 

  • Maintain and develop excellent relationships with media contacts, influencers, and event partners. 

  • Follow trends and use insights to surface opportunities for our books and authors regardless of format or publication date. 

  • Work closely with authors (and their teams, when applicable), leading meetings, communicating publicity strategy, and preparing them for appearances with talking points and media training.     

  • Pursue creative ways to place content and promote our books and authors via influencers, and partnership opportunities. 

  • Work closely with the marketing team to ensure that all campaign and promotional plans and messaging are complementary and targeted. 

  • This role will require some travel within Toronto for author events and author escorting which may include evening and weekend events.     

  

Experience and knowledge you’ll bring (qualifications): 

 

  • A minimum of 3 years of experience in publicity, public relations, communications or a related field.   

  • Demonstrated success working with traditional and non-traditional Canadian media channels.  

  • Experience planning and executing public events, coordinating media tours, and escorting talent.  

  • A continuously developing network of media and influencer contacts.  

  • Proven ability to build effective end-to-end publicity campaigns.  

  • Excellent customer service skills built on a foundation of strong communication.  

  • Strong collaboration and relationship management skills.  

  • A proactive, analytical, and imaginative approach to problem solving.  

  • Strong time management skills and above average attention to detail.  

  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.  

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative digital tools including Slack, Asana, Google Docs, etc.  

  • Experience using Cision, Muckrack, Meltwater, is considered a bonus.  

  • An inclusive approach, supported by cultural competency and a proven ability to collaborate with people from across a wide range of diverse backgrounds.  

  • Enhanced knowledge, awareness, and experience with the culture and history of any community that has faced marginalization is considered a plus.  

  • And of course, a deep passion for books! 

 

This role is expected to work at least three days per week from our office located at 320 Front Street West, Toronto, ON.  Therefore, candidates should reside within the commuting distance of our office.   

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by Friday, June 12, 2026. We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

 

We are actively seeking to add team members from communities with lived experiences of marginalization and underrepresentation. We respect and value each individual and their lived experiences and are committed to creating a more diverse team and establishing a culture of belonging. If you self-identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community or another marginalized group, we strongly encourage you to apply. 

 

 

Please contact Human Resources at hrcanada@penguinrandomhouse.com or 416-364-4449 if you need accommodation at any stage of the application process or want more information on our accommodation policies.  

 

We do not use artificial intelligence to screen or assess applicants. However, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as supporting administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment at any part of the process. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.