Director, Communications

York University; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

York University’s Division of Finance and Administration seeks a Director of Communications to provide strategic leadership for communications, branding, and culture across the division. The role reports to the SEO and supports university priorities, crafting messaging for students, faculty, staff, and partners.

You will lead a team, develop plans, manage digital and media initiatives, and advise on sensitive issues with discretion, driving engagement and reputation while ensuring alignment with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or equivalent with relevant experience.
• Experience in strategic communications within large organizations.
• Proven ability to develop and execute communications plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications leadership for DFA and York University partners.
• Develop and promote a cohesive divisional narrative and branding.
• Lead digital media, website content, and reputation management strategies.
• Advise on sensitive issues and coordinate cross‑unit communications initiatives.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Editing & copywriting

Digital media

Presentation skills

Analytical ability

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in communications or journalism

Tools

WordPress

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

MS Office Suite

PowerPoint

Job description

Purpose

The Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) is committed to providing professional, value-added services that enable and support York University's mission and vision. It strives to be recognized for service excellence by working collaboratively with community partners and creating a positive pan-university community experience in the pursuit of the University's goals and objectives. We recognize that people are our greatest enablers in delivering impactful services and in order to maximize our impact on the University, effective communications are the cornerstone to our success. With a focus on innovation, creativity and data-based decision making, the Director, Communications is responsible for providing strategic communications leadership and vision for the Division in support of the strategic priorities for the Division and in support of the priorities of York University. The Director will report directly to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), and indirectly to the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer (CCMO) in Communications & Public Affairs (C&PA) to enable strategic, University-wide collaboration, strategy development and ensure units are aligned and integrated. The Director leads and bolsters their team in the proactive development, enhancement and successful execution of communications and culture initiatives, events, and tactics, and promotes ongoing communication with students, faculty and instructors, staff, and other key audiences. The Director champions the development and promotion of a strong, cohesive, and effective Divisional narrative and identity. The incumbent ensures that DFA communications and marketing are aligned and support both the University's and DFA's goals and objectives and are developed and executed in collaboration with campus stakeholders including the President's Office, Communications & Public Affairs (C&PA), other central communicators, Faculties and units. The Director is a member of the DFA senior leadership team and as such is involved in ongoing often confidential executive level discussions to gain a full understanding and to stay abreast of business objectives, academic priorities and major issues facing DFA. The Director is accountable for developing and implementing a strategic communications plan for DFA that is consistent with and reflective of the Division's Strategic direction and culture. The Director, leading a communications shared service, supporting divisional operating units as well as the Divisional office provides relevant strategic communications advice and counsel and synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data from relevant sources to identify potential communication opportunities, challenges, implications, and solutions for the Division. The Director writes, edits, and produces communications materials that generate awareness, understanding and support for the Division's key initiatives contributing to enhancing institutional reputation.

Education

University degree (preferably a Master's degree) in communications, journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience plus specialized training in project management and change management is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years experience in progressively responsible and related positions with demonstrated experience in strategic communications.
• Experience working in large complex organizations, preferable in the Post Secondary Education Sector.
• Demonstrated experience in website management, reputation and brand management, and overall success in profile building and the creation of innovative, successful, communications strategies.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of strategic communications planning including social and digital media.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with partner groups to influence and provide strategic communications advice, counsel, and support.
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication plans.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skill.
• Professional demeanor and ability to exercise tact, judgement, confidentiality, discretion, and a high degree of political acuity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively with a variety of diverse audiences and topics including Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and organizational culture.
• Excellent editing and copy-writing skills with the ability to streamline and standardize communications written by a variety of authors.
• Must be able to use communication skills to produce a wide range of materials to reach targeted internal and external audiences.
• Must be service-oriented and high energy, with demonstrated initiative and analytical skill.
• Ability to proactively manage a large and constantly fluctuating workload and to meet tight and unpredictable deadlines.
• Proven ability to handle politically sensitive issues and difficult situations in a calm, tactful, confidential, and diplomatic manner.
• Ability to deal with a wide range of internal stakeholders in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building.
• Superior interpersonal, decision-making and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and to collaborate and participate effectively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated strong leadership, coaching, influencing and team building skills in order to foster, motivate and support an environment of high performance, trust and collaboration.
• Proven financial management skills.
• Proven competency in managing teams/people and achieving results.
• Flexible and adaptable with excellent organizational, planning and project management skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and analytical ability with strong research and presentation skills.
• Ability to process, synthesize and present information/ recommendations/ plans to a varied audience.
• Strong commitment to and understanding of the mission, values, and importance of the university.
• Excellent presenter and persuasive speaker with the ability to tell a story based on data and hypothesis.
• Strong experience working with MS Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), WordPress, design and publishing software, (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator).
• Experience writing for online channels, web and the development of web-based communications.
• Experience with creating and identifying quality social media content related to academic or non-profit organizations is preferred.
• Demonstrated grasp of evolving communication channels, including emerging new media.
• Must be highly organized and able to deliver priorities, have sound knowledge of editorial and journalistic principles.

Additional Notes

• Work is performed in an office setting (or remotely) with extended periods working on a computer and telephone.
• Responds to adversarial/emotionally charged confrontations that are directed towards the incumbent personally because of their role in representing the interests of the department, and institution.
• Work involves continuous restrictive and unpredictable deadline pressures and conflicting priorities Work pace cannot be controlled or predicted.
• May work extended hours as a result of required deadlines and unpredictability of role (which can include evenings and weekends).

Compensation

• Compensation: York's CPM Compensation Framework has a salary grid consisting of 6 or 8 steps (depending on job grade) which is reviewed annually with possible adjustments, and a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award. Employees will receive the grid adjustment and depending on performance, eligible permanent employees may move to the next step of the grid and may receive a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award. Visit the CPM Compensation page on the HR Website to find out more about York's CPM Compensation Program.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusive Hiring

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.

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PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Applications must be received by 11:55 pm EST on the posted deadline date, if applicable. Posting deadlines can be updated, or modified, at any time based on hiring needs. Please refer to the York U Career Portal when confirming posting deadlines.