Communications Officer (Digital Strategies)

Carleton University; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 91,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university in Ottawa seeks a Communications Officer (Digital Strategies) to enhance digital presence and engagement. This role involves planning digital content, supporting strategic communications, and coordinating projects with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a background in communication or marketing, exceptional writing skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This position offers a competitive salary in a dynamic educational environment, recognizing contributions to the community.

Qualifications

• Expertise in designing and implementing digital communication strategies.
• Proven skills in writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support communications strategy for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
• Develop, write, and produce digital content for various platforms.
• Act as the digital communications resource for the Office of the Dean.

Skills

Digital communication strategies

Writing and editing

Time-management

Interpersonal skills

Client service

Research and problem-solving

Familiarity with University culture

Knowledge of social media platforms

Education

University honours degree in Journalism, Communications or related discipline

Job description

Career Development Assignment (CDA)

The successful candidate must obtain a leave of absence from their current substantive position, where applicable. Permission for such leave must not be unreasonably withheld.

If you are an internal applicant belonging to a union (CUPE 2424, CUPE 910 or OPSEU 404), please make sure to update your current union status in your candidate profile each time you apply for a vacant position. Internal “unionized” candidates with priority status will be given first consideration. Please note: Carleton University encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

Job Number: J0126-0057
Job Title: Communications Officer (Digital Strategies)
Job Type: Career Development Assignment (CDA)
Department: Office of the Dean of Arts & Social Sciences
Job Category: Communications
Number of Positions: 1
Date Posted: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 22/01/2026
Salary (with Salary Rate): 91,291.00 - 99,934.00/Year
Assignment Duration From: 26/01/2026
Assignment Duration To: 31/12/2026
Employee Group: CUPE 2424
Salary Level: 10PE
Hours Per Week: 35
Date Position Available: 26/01/2026

About Carleton University

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G‑7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world. Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.

Duties And Responsibilities

Reporting to and supporting the communications strategy established by the Manager, Strategic Communications, the Communications Officer (Digital Strategies) provides strategic communications and marketing advice and content, with a focus on digital strategies and solutions for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

The incumbent plans, develops, designs, writes and produces targeted digital content to communicate and promote the Faculty’s students, faculty, researchers and achievements across the Faculty and/or University’s websites and social media platforms, recruitment campaigns, and a variety of other communication products. They support the Faculty’s strategic goals by strengthening engagement with prospective and current students, faculty, staff, internal stakeholders, alumni and community partners.

The incumbent acts as the digital communications resource for the Office of the Dean and all units within the Faculty, including the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre and the Carleton University Art Gallery. They provide strategic recommendations to Chairs, Directors and Managers and guide and train communications members in FASS units to ensure consistency and to build the Arts and Social Sciences brand.

Their work includes photography, videography, graphic design and digital editing for electronic communications products (both digital and print). They maintain an ongoing collection of photo, video and brand assets for use in Faculty recruitment and outreach campaigns, print publications, and across social media sites. They write and proofread content for a variety of stories, social media, promotional and marketing materials and campaigns, and supervise the Creative Content team.

Qualifications

• Expertise in designing, developing and implementing digital communication strategies and campaigns, with an emphasis on electronic and social platforms.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading skills.
• Proven ability to develop, create, write and edit content while working within strict and frequent deadlines.
• Strong time‑management skills with excellent organizational and planning skills, the ability to prioritize in a fast‑paced environment, while paying strict attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong professionalism, tact and diplomacy with a demonstrated ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor while working under pressure.
• Strong client service ethic and high expectation for quality.
• Strong commitment to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in a complex cultural environment.
• Demonstrated maturity, good judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Strong research, problem‑solving and creative thinking skills, as well as initiative.
• Effective working both in a team and independently.
• Strong knowledge of the University’s culture, institutional and Faculty goals and objectives is highly desired.
• Commitment to innovation and adoption of new technologies and applications that will enhance the Faculty’s digital presence.

Education And Experience

• Completion of a university honours degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, English or a related discipline. Equivalencies in education and/or experience will be considered.
• A minimum of five years of related communication, marketing, and digital content creation experience, including post‑production processes, preferably in an educational setting.
• Experience must include at least three years creating digital campaigns, capturing and editing photography and videography and conducting analysis for the development of digital communication strategies for targeted engagement.
• Experience supervising or leading a team would be a significant asset.

HR Note

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. The University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength, and welcomes those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University, including women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, you may be required to work temporarily remotely. You will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment, discuss appropriate technology and requirements, and follow all University policies and directives.