Communications Specialist I, Student Academic

uwaterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo is seeking a Communications Specialist, Student Academic, to support planning, development, delivery and evaluation of communications that align with institutional priorities. The role serves undergraduate, graduate and co‑op student audiences and web content development.

This temporary, 14‑month, full‑time position in Advancement and External Relations – Student Academic Communications offers a collaborative, campus‑wide impact and opportunities to shape messaging

Responsibilities

• Develops communications to support academic programs, policies, and student success initiatives.
• Translates academic information into clear, accessible content for undergraduate, graduate and co-op student audiences.
• Maintains and updates web and digital content related to academic offerings and requirements.
• Collaborates with academic units to ensure accuracy and alignment of messaging.
• Supports communications tied to academic milestones (course selection, deadlines, program updates).
• Develops and delivers communications activities and materials supporting defined objectives and priorities.
• Creates and adapts communications content for digital, print and other channels as required.
• Produces communications materials such as articles, web content, newsletters, presentations, social media content, promotional materials and related communications products.
• Researches, analyzes and synthesizes information to support accurate, audience-focused communications.
• Applies communications standards, editorial practices and audience considerations to support effective delivery.
• Contributes to communications planning and coordinates implementation of communications activities within established priorities, frameworks and timelines.
• Coordinates communications activities, timelines, deliverables and approvals for assigned projects and initiatives.
• Maintains project documentation, monitors progress and facilitates input from contributors and stakeholders.
• Identifies implementation challenges and recommends practical solutions to support communications objectives.
• Works with internal partners to ensure communications activities are delivered effectively and on schedule.
• Collaborates with stakeholders, subject-matter experts and communications colleagues.

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Time Type: Full time

Employee Group: Staff

Job Category: Communications

Employment Type: Temporary

Department: Advancement and External Relations - Student Academic Communications

Hiring Range: $67,688.63 - $84,610.79

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is October 22, 2026 at 11:59PM.

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity. Term: 14 months

Primary Purpose

This job description has been prepared to support implementation and role clarity. It reflects the intended scope of the role at this stage and may be subject to minor adjustments as the work is operationalized and responsibilities are finalized.

University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today's and tomorrow's challenges.

At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university's reputation. The communications function specifically leads by helping the university communicate with clarity, credibility and purpose, while developing governance, standards and protocols to uphold consistent, coordinated and effective communications across campus.

The Communications Specialist, Student Academic is a role responsible for contributing to the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of communications initiatives that support institutional priorities. The role applies communications knowledge, professional judgment and strong organizational capability to develop content, coordinate communications activities and support stakeholder engagement across a variety of channels and audiences. Working within established communications frameworks and standards, the role contributes to effective communications outcomes through independent management of assigned work and collaboration with stakeholders and communications colleagues.

The role supports communications that help undergraduate, graduate and co-op students navigate Waterloo's academic programs, policies, requirements and milestones. The role contributes to web and digital content on academic offerings, processes, deadlines and student-success information, working with units to support accuracy and clarity.

Key Accountabilities

Student Academic Communications

• Develop communications supporting academic programs, policies, and student success initiatives.
• Translate academic information into clear, accessible content for undergraduate, graduate and co-op student audiences.
• Maintain and update web and digital content related to academic offerings and requirements.
• Collaborate with academic units to ensure accuracy and alignment of messaging.
• Support communications tied to academic milestones (course selection, deadlines, program updates).

Communications Content Development and Delivery

• Develops and delivers communications activities and materials supporting defined objectives and priorities.
• Creates and adapts communications content for digital, print and other channels as required.
• Produces communications materials such as articles, web content, newsletters, presentations, social media content, promotional materials and related communications products.
• Researches, analyzes and synthesizes information to support accurate, audience-focused communications.
• Applies communications standards, editorial practices and audience considerations to support effective delivery.

Communications Coordination and Implementation

• Contributes to communications planning and coordinates implementation of communications activities within established priorities, frameworks and timelines.
• Coordinates communications activities, timelines, deliverables and approvals for assigned projects and initiatives.
• Maintains project documentation, monitors progress and facilitates input from contributors and stakeholders.
• Identifies implementation challenges and recommends practical solutions to support communications objectives.
• Works with internal partners to ensure communications activities are delivered effectively and on schedule.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

Collaborates with stakeholders, subject-matter experts and communications colleag