Public Relations (External Comms) Intern - Winter 2027

Join a Challenger

At EQ, we're remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast, we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending, to trust and credit union solutions.

We've been at this since 1970, challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter, faster, and more connected financial experiences.

What's kept us moving? The people behind it all: challengers who ask better questions, push back on old assumptions, and look for a better way forward.

If you're driven to help reshape how banking works for Canadians and the businesses that power our economy, this could be your next big opportunity.

We can’t wait to get to know you!

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

What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]

💰 Competitive discretionary bonus

✨ Market leading RRSP match program

🩺 Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

📝 Employee Share Purchase Plan

👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one

🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days

🖥 Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues

🎓 Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program

💛 A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

EQ is committed to building an inclusive, accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe our organization is stronger — and our people thrive — when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. We’re equally committed to supporting your growth, both professionally and personally.

We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage, we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond.

As part of our recruitment process, EQ uses AI to help screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position. All AI-enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application, an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.

EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country's seventh-largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. EQB Inc. serves nearly 4 million Canadians and manages approximately $150 billion in combined assets under management and administration.

To learn more, visit eqb.investorroom.com and eqbank.ca.