Director, Strategic Communications

York University; Markham; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

York University’s Markham Campus is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to lead communications planning and storytelling that support the campus plan, academic mission, and York's brand.

You will write and edit narratives, guide a team, and collaborate with the central Communications & Public Affairs Division to align external and internal communications with institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in communications, marketing and/or public relations.
• Experience in a matrixed organization with leadership in communications delivering a variety of vehicles for internal and external audiences.
• Knowledge of integrated communications, brand management, internal communications and culture change.
• Demonstrated success in profile building and creating innovative communication strategies by leading staff within a large portfolio in a complex unionized environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partner groups to influence and provide strategic communications advice, counsel, and support.
• Experience utilizing novel digital platforms and affinity for emerging digital technologies (e.g., VR/AR).

Responsibilities

• Lead communications planning and implementation to support the campus plan and York's brand.
• Provide leadership to drive the campus academic mission and York's values.
• Uncover, write, edit and share compelling stories of the Markham community.
• Collaborate with University central Communications & Public Affairs Division to align messaging.
• Ensure communications and marketing work are aligned with institutional strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communications

Brand management

Internal communications

Culture change

Media relations

External communications

Profile building

Digital platforms

VR/AR

Education

Master's degree in English/Journaliam/Communications

University degree

Tools

VR/AR platforms

Job description

Markham Campus will embed York University in the heart of one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the country. Reflecting the local economy, academic programs and research will revolve around the core themes of technology and entrepreneurship and how they are driving innovation across all areas of knowledge and society.Challenging the traditions of what a university campus can offer, Markham Campus will act as a unique meeting place for students to interact directly with employers, start-up companies, and community partners from across the region.Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy and Administration, and indirectly to the University's Chief Communications & Marketing Officer (CCMO), the Director, Strategic Communications is a member of the senior leadership team of Marham Campus and supports the Markham Campus Deputy Provost and other senior level executives. The Director is responsible for communications planning and implementation, providing leadership to drive the success of the Campus plan, academic mission, and York's brand and values. As a compelling storyteller, the Director will unearth, write, edit and share the incredible stories of the Markham community to help bring York's brand, culture and academic mission to life. Working closely with the University' s central Communications & Public Affairs Division (C&PA) the Director will ensure that communications and marketing work are aligned with institutional communications.

Education

University degree, preferably a master's degree in English, journalism or a communications related field or equivalent experience.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in communications, marketing and/or public relations, including significant demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic communication strategies.

Experience in a matrixed organization having had a leadership role in communications producing a variety of communication vehicles aimed at various internal and external audiences. Knowledge of, and experience in, integrated communications, brand management, internal communications and culture change, media relations and external communications.

Demonstrated success in profile building and the creation of innovative, successful, communication strategies by leading staff within a large portfolio in a complex unionized environment.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with partner groups to influence and provide strategic communications advice, counsel, and support.

Demonstrated experience utilizing novel digital platforms. have an affinity for emerging digital technologies (e.g., VR/AR) to connect with a broad audience.

We offer comprehensive benefits and access to superb educational and recreational facilities. For more information on what York has to offer U please visit: http://hr.info.yorku.ca/benefits/