Communications and Outreach Coordinator

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university seeks a Communications and Outreach Coordinator to enhance engagement with diverse audiences. The role requires developing marketing strategies, managing the department's communication channels, and fostering relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of professional experience in strategic communications and outreach initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of related professional experience in strategic communications.
• Experience in drafting and editing content for communications channels.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement marketing plans to support strategic objectives.
• Foster relationships with stakeholders and partners.
• Manage the department's website and social media presence.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Advanced skills in Microsoft 365

Experience in marketing plans development

Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills

Proven experience in social media management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

WordPress

Drupal

Job description

Date Posted: 10/07/2025
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

Your opportunity:

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology is one of the largest departments of its kind in North America, with internationally renowned and award-winning faculty. We strive to provide the necessary context, expertise and guidance on pressing challenges that face society today, including combating global climate change and saving rare and endangered species. Our department is a world leader in the discipline in discovery, innovation and teaching.

As a key member of the EEB administrative team, the Communications and Outreach Coordinator plays a pivotal role in shaping the department’s identity and engagement with a broad spectrum of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, university stakeholders and the general public. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of integrated communication, marketing, and outreach strategies and plans that advance EEB’s academic mission and strategic goals.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer and working closely with department leadership, faculty, and staff, the Coordinator will design and execute communication initiatives to promote teaching and research programs, events, student-facing opportunities, and alumni engagement. The Coordinator will also be responsible for managing the department's website and social media presence, ensuring that digital platforms reflect current priorities and effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.

The successful candidate will bring proven communications skills alongside a passion for the natural world, including ecology, evolution, and conservation. Familiarity with biodiversity and sustainability issues will strengthen their ability to connect with diverse audiences and highlight EEB’s contributions in teaching, research, and outreach.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing marketing plans to promote programs, events and/or initiatives that support strategic objectives
• Developing and implementing marketing plans to support business development and revenue-generating strategies and/or activities
• Implementing marketing plans to strengthen brand profiles
• Advising on marketing best practices and brand-building opportunities
• Fostering relationships with internal and external contacts in the coordination of marketing activities
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Analyzing data to ensure effectiveness and ongoing ROI for marketing efforts and initiatives
• Producing promotional and outreach materials. Delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives.
• Developing and implementing social media programs and initiatives.
• Conceptualizing, organizing and executing events activities.
• Overseeing and implementing website enhancement activities to support program/program goals and objectives.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five years of recent and related professional experience in strategic communications, events planning, and planning outreach initiatives to support the building of positive relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance (e.g. students, alumni, broader community), preferably in a post-secondary or research-intensive institution.
• Experience developing and implementing communication strategies.
• Experience conceptualizing, organizing and executing events to support outreach initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing marketing plans to promote programs, events and/or initiatives that support strategic objectives.
• Experience creating promotional and outreach materials, and familiarity with the brand identity requirements outlined in the University style guides.
• Experience drafting and editing content for print and/or online communications channels, including creating and maintaining presence on social media platforms.
• Experience maintaining and updating websites.
• Proven experience identifying and pitching good story opportunities and writing concise, creative and engaging communication pieces (i.e. news and feature stories) including editing, researching, print/design and reporting.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft 365 (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe Creative Suites, WordPress, Drupal and other similar content management systems, social media (e.g. Facebook, X, Instagram etc.), and online video/audio conferencing applications (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills. Excellent attention to detail and solid copyediting and proofreading skills.
• Excellent knowledge of advertising principles, tools and metrics, social media platforms, modern web browsers and search engine optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to write in a variety of styles and voices for a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Meticulous
• Possess a positive attitude
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Self-directed
• Team player

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.