Senior Communications Specialist, VP Communications and Community Engagement

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to enhance its reputation and support strategic priorities. This dynamic role involves developing and executing communication plans, engaging key audiences, and creating impactful content across various channels. The ideal candidate will excel in project management and possess strong writing skills, with a focus on collaboration and relationship management. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant university community, fostering innovation and inclusivity while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing complex communication projects in marketing or PR.
• Exceptional writing and strategic communication skills required.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies to meet client goals.
• Create and publish content across print, email, social media, and web.
• Manage campaigns and provide strategic communication support.

Skills

Strategic Communication

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Writing Skills

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications

Tools

MS Office

MS Teams

Drupal 8

Marketo

LiveWhale

Job description

Description

The Communication Services within VP Communications and Community Engagement is seeking a full-time, regular Senior Communications Specialist.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Institutional Communications Services, this role requires a strong communications generalist skilled in developing and delivering internal and external communications and marketing plans. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and relationship management abilities.

The daily responsibilities include developing and executing communication plans and tactics for designated clients and portfolios, engaging the university's key audiences. The goal is to increase awareness of the university, promote its strategic priorities, enhance reputation, and support its core strategic direction and specific objectives.

The candidate must be an excellent communicator with strong writing and technical skills, organized, able to prioritize, and capable of managing multiple projects effectively. Responsibilities include creating and publishing content for print, email, social media, and web channels, such as campus news stories, website content, email and social media copy, video scripts, and digital reports. Diplomacy, judgment, and emotional intelligence are essential as the role involves collaboration across departments, mentoring junior staff, and advising institutional leaders.

The position requires discretion, professionalism, confidentiality, adaptability, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations and multiple deadlines. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required during peak periods.

This role is highly collaborative yet requires independent work, working directly with internal clients to develop strategic communication tactics aligned with institutional priorities. The position involves creating and executing strategic plans, working with university leaders, staff, and external vendors to produce content across various channels.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

1. Developing and implementing communication strategies and materials to meet client goals.
2. Collaborating with clients and vendors to produce print, email, social media, and web content.
3. Managing campaigns, publications, and other marketing initiatives.
4. Creating tailored content for different digital and print channels.
5. Providing strategic communication support and counsel to internal clients.
6. Supporting tactical communications such as speechwriting, internal and executive communications, event promotion, news stories, website content, print materials, proofreading, and collaborating with multimedia content creators.
7. Ensuring brand consistency across all projects.
8. Maintaining and updating client websites and supporting email campaigns using tools like Marketo.
9. Building and nurturing client relationships and mentoring junior staff.
10. Handling complex issues diplomatically and maintaining professionalism under pressure.
11. Participating in project planning, management, and evaluation activities.
12. Managing external vendors and coordinating logistics for testing and review processes.
13. Analyzing communication data and reporting on outcomes.
14. Supporting the broader Advancement Communications team and learning new skills and technologies.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience managing complex communication projects in a marketing or PR setting.
• Exceptional writing and strategic communication skills with experience in developing impactful campaigns.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, capable of juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Experience in institutional environments and stakeholder engagement is an asset.
• Excellent customer service, diplomacy, judgment, and emotional intelligence.
• Proficiency with MS Office, MS Teams, and experience with CMS systems like Drupal 8, Marketo, and LiveWhale is highly desirable.
• Ability to translate client needs into effective communication strategies.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and results-oriented approach.
• Willingness to continuously develop professional skills and experiment with new tools and ideas.

Application Deadline: May 8, 2025.

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For more opportunities, visit our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Calgary, fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurial thinking. Founded in 1966, it hosts 36,000 students and is a leader in startup creation. Learn more at ucalgary.ca.

The university is committed to an inclusive campus through its Indigenous Strategy, welcoming Indigenous Peoples and perspectives in all activities.

We value diversity and strive to create equitable, accessible workplaces. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Accommodations are available upon request during the recruitment process. For questions on diversity and inclusion, contact the Office of Institutional Commitments or Human Resources.

We encourage qualified individuals to apply, with a preference for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.