Communications Specialist

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC is seeking a Communications Specialist to coordinate and implement communication plans across the Vice-President, Human Resources portfolio, including talent development, recruitment and retention, performance enablement, recognition, total rewards, HR systems, wellbeing, and employee relations.

The role focuses on faculty and staff audiences, ensuring accessible internal communications across touchpoints, including the HR website.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes communication plans and activities that support HR priorities, initiatives, and employer brand.
• Uses audience insights, analytics, research, and partner feedback to inform clear, accessible content.
• Establishes and maintains communication workflows, templates, and standards to ensure consistency with the UBC brand.
• Manages HR digital channels (websites, newsletters, SharePoint), including updates, QA, best practices, and coordination with IT and contractors.
• Supports strategic projects (website redesigns, emerging AI tools, campaigns) with research, insights and analytics, and communications expertise.
• Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across HR and UBC to ensure alignment and effective communications practices.
• Provides guidance on messaging, channels, and communication approaches.
• Designs and delivers tools, training, and guidance to strengthen communications capability across HR.
• Develops content and storytelling to support HR priorities and translate complex HR information into clear content.
• Writes, edits, and reviews content for clarity, tone, and brand consistency.

Job description

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title

Communications Specialist

Department

HR Communications | Talent and Organizational Development | Central Human Resources

Compensation Range

$7,158.42 - $10,292.25 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

September 12, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

Job Summary

The Communications Specialist coordinates and implements communication plans, initiatives and activities in partnership with teams across the Vice-President, Human Resources (VPHR) portfolio, including talent development, recruitment and retention, performance enablement, recognition, total rewards, HR systems, wellbeing, and employee relations. Focused primarily on communication to faculty and staff audiences, the role ensures consistent, accessible internal communications across various touchpoints, including the UBC HR website. The role coordinates projects and campaigns through strong content management and editorial practices, aligning communications with institutional priorities and brand standards. This position serves as a trusted advisor and collaborator-providing guidance on messaging, channels, and effective approaches, enabling coordinated, strategic communications across central HR.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Manager, Communications and Engagement. Is a collaborative member of the HR Communications team, within the Talent and Organizational Development unit within the VPHR portfolio. This position partners with various internal client departments across UBC in addition to partnering with teams across the VPHR portfolio. The position liaises with the central communications team, Integrated Service Centre, President's Office, UBC IT, and other communications colleagues across the University. The role may also work with external consultants and service providers.

Work Performed

Integrated Communication Strategies and Operations

• Develops and executes communication plans and activities that support HR priorities, initiatives, and employer brand.
• Uses audience insights, analytics, research, and partner feedback to inform clear, accessible user-centered content.
• Establishes and maintains communication workflows, templates, and communication standards to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with the UBC brand.
• Manages HR digital communication channels (e.g., websites, newsletters, SharePoint), including content updates, workflows, quality assurance, best practices, and platform coordination with UBC IT and contractors.
• Supports strategic projects (e.g., website redesigns, emerging AI tools, campaigns) through research, insights and analytics, and communications expertise in collaboration with the HR Communications team and other partners.

Collaborative Relationships

• Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across HR and UBC to ensure alignment, consistency and effective communications practices.
• Provides communications support and guidance on messaging, channels, and communication approaches.
• Proactively engages and coordinates with partners to understand project needs and provides guidance informed by communication best practices.
• Design and deliver tools, training, and guidance to strengthen the communications capability across HR.

Content Development and Editorial Management

• Develops content and storytelling to support HR priorities and key experiences across employee communications and HR programs, translating complex HR information into clear, accessible, and user-focused content using plain language principles.
• Writes, edits, and reviews content to ensure clarity, consistency, tone, and alignment with brand standards.
• Plans and coordinates integrated editorial calendars across HR channels, ensuring alignment with operational priorities, days of significance, and employee lifecycle.
• Prepares communication materials including briefing notes, speaking notes, presentations, and related assets.

Project and Program Management

Applies a structured project management approach to