Communications Specialist, McCaig Bone and Joint Health Institute

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Calgary’s McCaig Bone and Joint Health Institute invites applications for a Communications Specialist. This full-time fixed-term position (about 1 year) supports communications plans, event coordination, web content, and social media to raise awareness and strengthen the Institute’s reputation.

Reporting to the Manager, Business and Operations, you’ll work with the Dean’s Office Communications team and External Relations to deliver high-quality materials, campaigns, and stories.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, design
• 2-4 years of related working experience/internship
• Organized self-starter with ability to engage with clients and stakeholders
• Proven experience producing diverse communications materials and campaigns
• Experience with web-based assets (Drupal, Canva, Dialog) and analytics
• Strong writing and editing skills with ability to meet deadlines

Responsibilities

• Develop communication plans with the Senior Communications Specialist and implement them
• Create and run website and email marketing campaigns
• Lead event communications including invitations, promotions, slides, notes and briefs
• Maintain the institute website and write for the web, update pages and analyze data
• Write stories for websites/newsletters and distribute via channels
• Create content for social media and monitor engagement
• Ensure adherence to university Communications Protocol and brand guidelines
• Assist with event logistics, materials, venue coordination and stakeholder collaboration
• Coordinate photography, design, AV production and social media for events as needed
• Plan and support a wide range of events and internal/external activities
• Perform other duties to support the institute's initiatives

Skills

Communication skills

Editing

Content creation

Social media

Event coordination

Project management

Education

Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, design

Tools

Drupal

Canva

Dialog

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud

Job description

Description

The McCaig Bone and Joint Health Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Communications Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Termposition is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Manager, Business and Operations with accountabilities to the Director, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, the Communications Specialist will work closely with members of the Cumming School of Medicine's Dean's Office Communications team and Office of External Relations team to provide efficient and effective communication and event coordination support for all activities of the McCaig Institute.

The Communications Specialist will work closely with and take direction from the Senior Communications Specialist and may be assigned specific communications tasks or projects as required. Primary tasks include the development and deployment of communication plans for various initiatives of the institute, the coordination and planning of event communications, the development of communication materials, newsletters, updates for website and social media channels to boost awareness of the McCaig Institute and enhance its overall reputation. The Communications Specialist will interact with a diverse population within the university and may include interactions with external organizations and stakeholders.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Develop communication plans with the Senior Communications Specialist, and coordinate their implementation, including scheduling deployment and tracking communications outcomes


• Develop and execute website and email marketing campaigns


• Leading event communications including writing invitations, promoting through website and e-marketing systems, creating PowerPoint slides, preparing speaking notes and event briefs


• Maintaining the McCaig Institute website including updating webpages, writing for web, making basic webpage edits and accessing analytics


• Writing stories for website and/or e-newsletters and deploying stories through existing channels


• Creating content and posting on the institute's social media channels


• Ensuring adherence to the university's Communications Protocol including brand and identity guidelines in the interest of protecting the professional reputation and distinct positioning of the institution


• Assist in the logistical and strategic requirements of events such as promotional material development and delivery, facility booking/coordination and stakeholder collaboration/organization


• Coordinate photography, graphic design, audio/video production, and social media activities for events as required


• In coordination with Operations team members, effectively plans, organizes and facilitates a wide variety of events and internal/external activities for departments


• Other tasks as needed to support the institute's initiatives or as assigned by the Manager or Senior Communications Specialist

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, design or demonstrable skills and experience


• 2-4 years of related working experience/internship


• Organized self-starter, have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and able to engage with a range of clients and stakeholders to facilitate their communication and event needs


• Proven experience in producing a variety of communication materials, including web-based communications, aimed at various audiences


• Proven experience in event planning/management, public relations or general communications


• A strong writer and editor, able to produce high-quality content on short deadlines


• Experience with web-based applications such as Drupal, Canva, and Dialog is an asset


• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud, Knowledge of university environment and core university systems is an asset


• Strong communication, consultative and problem-solving skills, and ability to work with cross- functional teams effectively


• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and facilitate collaboration between diverse groups


• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality as it applies to communications


• High level of tact and professionalism


• Proven copy-editing skills


• Attention to detail a must


• A proven ability to work under stressful and tight deadlines while working with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders

Application Deadline: October 7, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.