Chief Communications Officer

York University; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution is seeking a Chief Communications Officer to lead its Communications & Public Affairs Department. The successful candidate will guide internal and external communication strategies, advise senior management, and enhance the university's brand identity. The role requires strong leadership experience in media relations and a commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. Offering competitive compensation and a dynamic work environment, this position provides an opportunity to shape the institution's communications strategy.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in communications leadership.
• Expertise in media relations and crisis communications.
• Proven track record of recognizing and promoting equity and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Communications & Public Affairs Department.
• Advise York senior management and develop relationships with constituents.
• Serve as a member of the President’s Leadership team.

Skills

Communications leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Diversity and inclusion principles

Job description

Chief Communications Officer – Toronto, Ontario

Position Summary

York University invites nominations and applications for the position of Chief Communications Officer. York University is known internationally as a modern and progressive institution of higher education driving 21st-century learning and innovative research and creative activities for maximum impact. Its vision is to provide a broad sociodemographic of students with a high-quality education at a research-intensive University that is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of the communities it serves. Since its establishment in 1959, York has grown quickly into Canada’s third-largest University with three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area. These include the Keele and Glendon campuses as well as a new state-of-the-art campus in the City of Markham focused on how technology and entrepreneurship are reshaping all fields of knowledge and practice. Planning is also underway for a new School of Medicine, approved by the Province of Ontario in 2024, which will educate the next generation of talented primary care physicians to enhance access to integrated community-based care in York’s service area and beyond. York continues to grow its reputation for excellence. With many disciplines ranked in the top 200 worldwide, York is also recognized among the global top 40 for impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Times Higher Education 2025), the Top 100 Universities for Entrepreneurs (Pitchbook 2025), and the top 5 comprehensive Universities in Canada (Maclean’s 2025). To learn more about the University, an institution that reflects the vibrancy and pluralism of the city in which it is located, visit http://www.yorku.ca.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Communications & Public Affairs (C&A) Department and develop and implement internal and external communications plans in support of York’s mission and priorities.
• Provide advice and counsel to York senior management and develop strong relationships with key internal and external constituents.
• Serve as a key member of the President’s Leadership team, stewarding and championing York’s unique brand identity across the university.
• Build productive working relationships across the university to coordinate and support integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Lead a creative, service-oriented team of 22 to effectively convey York’s distinctive strengths and project compelling stories.
• Exercise deep communications leadership experience, including media relations, proactive issues management, crisis communications, and serving as an institutional spokesperson in a complex, multi-site, unionized organization.
• Promote a positive work culture aligned with York’s values of equity, inclusion, and well‑being.
• Inspire the C&A team to be proactive, trend‑aware, and cognizant of emerging opportunities and challenges.

Qualifications

• Credentials befitting the role and extensive experience in communications leadership.
• Expertise in media relations, proactive issues management, and crisis communications.
• Experience as an institutional spokesperson in a complex, multi‑site, unionized organization.
• A global perspective with a nuanced understanding of the postsecondary landscape in Canada and internationally.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate effectively with diverse communities.
• Proven track record of advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization principles.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV together with a cover letter highlighting the aspects of your experience that are relevant to the required criteria, including your record of achievement with respect to advancing the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents will be given priority. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. All responses will be confidential; please indicate your interest in Project 251119 at https://caldwell.thriveapp.ly/job/1271.

EEO Statement

York University is an affirmative action employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialised groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and those who self‑identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager ([e-mail]). York University values diversity as vital to a thriving intellectual community and takes affirmative action to ensure that women, members of racialised groups, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ receive fair treatment during the application and hiring processes. You are invited to self‑identify as a member of one or more of these groups. Self‑identification is optional but is required to be considered in the affirmative action program. All responses will be kept confidential and used only to reduce the influence of implicit biases in the University’s hiring.