Director, Communications

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University in Ontario seeks a seasoned Director of Communications for the Faculty of Health Sciences to lead reputation, marketing and engagement strategies, advise senior leadership and shape the faculty's national and international presence.

Reporting to the Vice-President & Dean, you will build integrated communications programs, direct media relations, digital strategy, issues and crisis communications, and develop capacity across schools and partners to advance education, research

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, reputation management or public affairs, including senior leadership experience.
• Experience advising executive leaders and leading integrated communications in complex organizations.
• Experience in issues and crisis management, media relations and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications and marketing guidance to Faculty leadership and identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop and lead integrated communications, marketing and reputation strategies aligned with university priorities.
• Manage media relations, executive communications, digital channels and content strategy.
• Direct crisis communications planning and response and provide strategic judgment on sensitive matters.
• Advance the Faculty’s profile through storytelling, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead communications initiatives supporting education, research, recruitment and institutional priorities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Marketing strategy

Reputation management

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree asset

Job description

Faculty of Health Sciences | McMaster University

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice-President & Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and dotted line into McMaster Communications, the Director, Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Faculty’s reputation, communications, marketing and engagement priorities. As a trusted advisor to Faculty leadership, the Director develops and leads integrated strategies that strengthen the Faculty’s profile and advance its education, research, healthcare and community impact, while aligning with broader University priorities and brand standards.

As a key member of the Faculty leadership team, the Director provides strategic counsel on reputation management, media relations, public affairs, issues and crisis communications, executive communications, digital strategy and stakeholder engagement. The role leads Faculty-wide communications initiatives, including the Dean’s communications and thought leadership, and builds strong partnerships across FHS, McMaster Communications, affiliated hospitals, government and external organizations to advance shared priorities and strengthen the Faculty’s local, national and international presence.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic communications and marketing advice to the Vice-President & Dean and Faculty leadership, identifying opportunities, emerging issues and reputational risks.
• Develop and lead integrated communications, marketing and reputation strategies aligned with Faculty and University priorities.
• Lead media relations, executive communications, social media, digital communications, web governance and content strategy, ensuring effective, accessible and engaging communications.
• Direct issues and crisis communications planning and response, providing sound judgment and strategic guidance on complex and sensitive matters.
• Advance the Faculty’s profile through strategic storytelling, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and recognition of research, educational and faculty excellence.
• Lead communications and marketing initiatives supporting research, education, student recruitment and institutional priorities.
• Provide strategic guidance and build communications capacity across FHS schools, departments, institutes and administrative units, fostering collaboration, alignment and shared best practices.
• Build and sustain partnerships across the University, affiliated hospitals, government, professional organizations and external stakeholders.
• Establish performance measures and evaluate communications effectiveness, using insights to inform priorities and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor and develop communications staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

• An undergraduate degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Public Administration or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Graduate-level education is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, reputation management, public affairs or a related field, including senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success advising executive leaders and developing integrated communications and marketing strategies within complex organizations.
• Experience in issues and crisis management, media relations, reputation risk and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence outcomes, manage competing priorities and build effective partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal and analytical skills, with the judgment and discretion to navigate ambiguity and sensitive issues.
• Experience in post-secondary education, healthcare, research, government or broader public-sector environments is preferred.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape the reputation and strategic voice of one of Canada’s leading health sciences faculties. Working alongside senior academic and administrative leaders and partners across the healthcare and research sectors, you will help advance initiatives that make a meaningful impact on education, research, healthcare and communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.