Senior Director, News and University Affairs

UBC The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 151,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to serve as the Senior Director, News and University Affairs. This role provides critical guidance on media relations, internal communications, issues management, and crisis communications, acting as the official spokesperson and advising top university leadership.

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Communications, you will lead a central team, coordinate with senior officials, and influence

Qualifications

• University degree in communications, marketing, or journalism or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in a large, complex org, with strategy level experience.
• Proven record with media, government, and public relations.

Responsibilities

• Advise President and senior admins on issues management and media strategy.
• Lead crisis and emergency communications planning and execution.
• Oversee media relations and internal announcements; act as spokesperson.
• Develop integrated editorial strategies with portfolio teams and Government Relations.
• Measure effectiveness of earned media and internal communications.
• Direct and manage the News and University Affairs team including budget.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Issues management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

University degree in communications, marketing, or journalism

Job description

Staff - Non Union Job Category M&A - Excluded M&A Job Profile XMP Salaried – Information Services, Level F Job Title Senior Director, News and University Affairs Department Communications | VP External Relations Compensation Range $13,531.92 - $20,284.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date October 16, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks. Job End Date Ongoing. At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to serve as the Senior Director, News and University Affairs. This position provides critical strategic leadership and tactical advice on the University’s media relations, internal communications, issues management, and crisis and emergency communications. It is key for handling critical issues, acting as spokesperson for the University, and leading the university's communications efforts during crises or emergencies. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice-President, Communications, the Senior Director provides essential central strategic leadership, counsel, and expertise for UBC's news – both internally and externally, media relations, issues management. You will be a key advisor and counsellor to the President, VP External Relations, AVP Communications, and other senior University officials in handling critical issues. This position is responsible for convening senior administrators to develop high-level draft issues management plans for approval by the UBC Executive. The role works in collaboration with other Communications portfolio leadership to support strategic university priorities and integrate them into daily editorial workflows. This high-profile role requires working weekends, out-of-business hours, and on-call duties in case of media issues, emergencies, or crises.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Associate Vice-President, Communications. Works closely with enterprise-wide executive members, senior communications and marketing professionals. Works directly with all members of the News and University Affairs management team, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Senior Director, Brand and Marketing Communications. Senior Director, News and University Affairs will shape, and build stronger internal relationships to consult on a wider scale beyond the immediate team.

Work Performed

• Strategic Counsel and Guidance: Strategically advising, counselling, and providing communications guidance to the President, Executive, senior administration, Deans, faculty, Board, and others as appropriate. Engaging directly with the President to ensure their perspective on crucial issues management is reflected in strategy and approach.
• Issues Management and Crisis/Emergency Response: Convening relevant AVP/Senior Directors in a Strategy Group when a substantive issue arises that has the potential to negatively impact UBC’s reputation. Developing and directing the implementation of media strategies to address crisis, emergency communications policies, and all aspects of issues management that threaten the reputation of the University. Leading the University's communications efforts and directing the development of crisis and emergency plans and protocols.
• Media Relations and Internal Announcements: Overseeing the flow of day-to-day faculty and institutional media relations and institutional announcements through internal channels. Ensure UBC leaders and faculty are prepared to deal with media when appropriate. Acting as the official spokesperson for the University on a wide range of topics and issues. Developing strategies to enhance relationships with media and other key communicators, both internal and external to the University.
• Content and Strategy Alignment: Developing and implementing a coordinated plan to integrate UBC’s strategic directions where appropriate into editorial strategies for external and internal channels, including key messaging, in collaboration with other portfolio teams. Working with Government Relations to ensure appropriate communications strategies and coordination.
• Performance Measurement: Measuring the effectiveness of UBC’s earned media and internal communications efforts.
• Team Leadership: Directing and managing the News and University Affairs team, including recruitment, staff development, and budget management. Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team and among broader university communicators involved in media relations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This role is highly visible and critical to UBC's success. At the center of issues and crisis, every action and decision made could have significant legal and reputational impacts for the University. Errors in judgment, poor leadership, or failure to gain the trust of senior leadership or the media could have a significant negative impact on the reputation and operations of the University, as well as the view of the general public, government, private industry, and the community.

Supervision Received

Works with minimal guidance under broad guidelines established by the Associate Vice-President, Communications.

Supervision Given

Manages staff, consultants and external service providers directly and indirectly through subordinate managers.

Minimum Qualifications

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own - Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in communications, marketing, or journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Over ten years of experience in a large and complex private or public sector organization; including six years at a strategic level. Proven record of professional accomplishment in dealing with the media, government; and the general public. Strong issues management experience and capabilities required. Ability to think and act independently and see the broad implications of events, anticipate issues and potential problems. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team environment, acting both strategically and tactically. Ability to identify and handle critical issues and to work well and remain calm under pressure. Proven ability to communicate professionally, tactfully and sensitively with all levels of the University, with media, community members and with the general public. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications. Proven experience with new media. Works with integrity and is respectful of all colleagues, regardless of status. Committed to openness and transparency. A willingness to respect diverse perspectives and a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related inclusion. Must be able to work independently and exercise extensive judgment and decision-making in managing media relations, issues, and concerns. Clarity of thinking and communication, ability to manage stress during crisis, and the ability to think and act independently are crucial. Flexibility on workload and timing issues.

Equity and Diversity

Are you ready to embrace the future together? Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community f...Required content truncated for brevity

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].