Senior Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead

University of Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive group benefits and a p​e

Pension plan

Competitive vacation time

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Manitoba is seeking an experienced Senior Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead to drive strategic marketing initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and large-scale events that connect researchers, industry partners and communities. The role emphasizes building brands, telling impactful stories, and advancing Manitoba’s entrepreneurial landscape.

You will lead multi-channel campaigns, collaborate with internal teams, and advise senior leaders on communications strategy while

Qualifications

• Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration or related field required.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in marketing, communications or events.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in marketing, communications, brand management, or strategic communications.
• Proven success in integrated marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Experience leading multi-channel campaigns across digital, social, web, video and print.
• Significant experience planning and delivering large-scale events or conferences.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, agencies and external service providers.
• Ability to collaborate across complex organizations with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Manitoba's media, business and innovation landscape.
• Strong digital communications skills with CMS, analytics, and emerging tech.
• Experience in post-secondary institutions or research/innovation ecosystems is a plus.
• Experience supporting entrepreneurship and technology-focused initiatives.
• Strategic communications advisory experience with senior leaders.
• Experience engaging Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Strong storytelling, editorial and content strategy capabilities.
• Ability to build and steward organizational brands through integrated approaches.
• Understand digital marketing, social media, audience engagement and trends.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for evidence-based decisions.
• Ability to manage multi-channel campaigns and timelines.
• Demonstrated leadership to guide staff, contractors and vendors.
• Able to work independently with initiative in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and respectful engagement.
• Proficient in productivity software; design and media production tools are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic marketing initiatives and lead stakeholder engagement.
• Champion branding and storytelling to connect researchers, entrepreneurs and partners.
• Plan, promote and deliver large-scale events and conferences.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with University Marketing & Communications and external partners.
• Manage campaigns across multiple channels and measure effectiveness.
• Create and oversee content calendars and promotional roadmaps.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and IDEA START team.
• Develop annual communications objectives and reporting frameworks.
• Lead and mentor student staff, contractors and external vendors.
• Build relationships with media, industry and community organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Marketing campaigns

Stakeholder engagement

Content strategy

Storytelling

Digital marketing

Analytics

Project management

Communication

Relationship building

Indigenous engagement

Brand management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Communications/PR

Master’s degree (asset)

Tools

Content management systems

Social media platforms

Analytics tools

Job description

Senior Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

The opportunity:

IDEA START is seeking an experienced communications and marketing leader to champion the stories, people, and ideas driving innovation at the University of Manitoba. In this highly visible role, you will develop strategic marketing initiatives, lead impactful stakeholder engagement efforts, and deliver memorable events that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and community organizations. If you are passionate about building brands, creating meaningful connections, and amplifying innovation, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on Manitoba’s entrepreneurial future.

The qualifications and experience we’re looking for:

• A Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related discipline required. A master’s degree is considered an asset.


• A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing marketing, communications, or event functions.


• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.


• Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, or strategic communications.


• Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies.


• Proven experience leading multi-channel marketing campaigns and managing content across digital, social media, web, video, and print platforms.


• Significant experience planning, promoting, and delivering large-scale events, conferences, summits, or community engagement initiatives.


• Experience managing communications projects, budgets, vendors, agencies, and external service providers.


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across complex organizations with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.


• Established knowledge of Manitoba's community, business, innovation, and media environments.


• Strong digital communications skills, including experience working with content management systems, social media platforms, analytics, and emerging technologies.


• Experience working within post-secondary institutions, innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, research organizations, government, or economic development organizations.


• Experience supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, commercialization, startup, or technology-focused initiatives.


• Experience providing strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and executives.


• Experience engaging Indigenous communities and Indigenous-serving organizations.


• Established relationships with Manitoba media, industry, community, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.


• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance organizational objectives is required.


• Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, are required.


• Strong storytelling, editorial, and content strategy expertise, including the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging and accessible communications, is required.


• Demonstrated ability to build, strengthen, and steward organizational brands through integrated marketing and communications approaches is required.


• Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, audience engagement, and emerging communications trends is required.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and make evidence-informed recommendations, are required.


• Ability to develop, manage, and evaluate multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns is required.


• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously, are required.


• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and promote large-scale events, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities is required.


• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across organizational and community boundaries, are required.


• Ability to provide strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and key stakeholders is required.


• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to guide, mentor, and coordinate the work of staff, students, contractors, and external service providers, are required.


• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative in a dynamic and evolving environment is required.


• High level of professionalism, discretion, tact, and diplomacy when interacting with internal and external stakeholders is required.


• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and respectful engagement with diverse communities is required.


• Proficiency with communications, marketing, analytics, content management, design, and productivity software relevant to the role is required.


• Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and multimedia production tools is an asset.


• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for digital communications is an asset.


• Familiarity with Indigenous engagement principles and culturally responsive communications practices is an asset.


• Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.


• This job needs to be performed in person, and preference will be given to those who can commute for in-office work every day.


• Travel within Winnipeg and occasional travel within Canada might be required as part of the work.


• Develop and lead a comprehensive multi-year marketing and communications strategy aligned with IDEA START's vision, growth objectives, and strategic priorities.


• Establish and maintain a compelling narrative and brand positioning strategy that strengthens IDEA START's visibility within Manitoba and across Canada's entrepreneurship, innovation, research commercialization, and higher education sectors.


• Identify emerging opportunities to elevate IDEA START's profile through thought leadership, partnerships, media engagement, storytelling campaigns, and ecosystem participation.


• Develop audience segmentation and engagement strategies for students, faculty, researchers, staff, alumni, industry partners, funders, community organizations, Indigenous communities, and government stakeholders.


• Advise IDEA START leadership on communications strategy, brand positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.


• Develop annual communications objectives, performance indicators, and reporting frameworks to evaluate effectiveness and return on investment.


• Serve as the subject matter expert on marketing, communications, branding, storytelling, and audience engagement.


• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to student staff, contractors, and service providers engaged in marketing and communications initiatives.


• Lead cross-functional collaboration with University Marketing & Communications, faculties, departments, industry partners, and community organizations.


• Develop and manage annual marketing and communications plans aligned to organizational priorities and key performance indicators.


• Create and oversee integrated content calendars, campaign schedules, and promotional roadmaps supporting IDEA START programs, initiatives, and flagship events.


• Coordinate the execution of marketing campaigns across multiple channels and stakeholder groups.


• Lead planning and implementation meetings with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of communications initiatives.


• Manage campaign budgets and external agencies, consultants, vendors, photographers, videographers, designers, and media partners.


• Monitor campaign performance and continuously refine strategies based on analytics, stakeholder feedback, and market trends.


• Develop dashboards and reporting frameworks to evaluate campaign effectiveness.


• Analyze website traffic, media coverage, audience engagement, email performance, social media metrics, and event participation data.


• Prepare executive-level reports and recommendations for IDEA START leadership.


• Lead the development of high-quality, audience-focused content that highlights IDEA START's programs, participants, innovations, ventures, and successes.

Create and oversee content for:

• Social Media


• UM Today


• The Manitoban


• Traditional and Digital Media


• Newsletters


• Annual Reports


• Website Content


• Promotional Campaigns


• Event Communications

Demonstrated expertise in creating:

• Long-form articles and feature stories


• Video scripts and video campaigns


• Interviews and participant profiles


• Photography and visual storytelling assets


• Posters, signage, advertisements, and promotional materials


• Infographics and impact reports


• Presentation and pitch materials


• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, community partners, and sector organizations.


• Identify and secure earned media opportunities that raise IDEA START's profile regionally and nationally.


• Support leadership with key messages, speaking notes, presentations, and communications materials.


• In collaboration with the Program Manager, Director, Administrative Officer, and IDEA START team, lead the marketing and stakeholder engagement planning for flagship

IDEA START events such as:

• Community Engagement Events


• Research Commercialization Initiatives


• Special Innovation Challenges and Competitions


• Coordinate planning timelines, communications, logistics, stakeholder engagement plans, and promotional activities.


• Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure successful delivery of events.


• Manage event vendors, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and community partners.


• Develop post-event reports that evaluate participant engagement, media reach, and organizational impact.


• Other duties as assigned.

Why the University of Manitoba?

Along with being one of Manitoba’s top employers, we are proud to provide a collaborative and enriching work environment. In addition to a strong compensation package with a competitive salary, the University provides an exceptional workplace that includes:

• Comprehensive group benefits and pension plan.


• Competitive vacation time.


• Employee and Family Assistance Program.


• A full spectrum of professional development opportunities.

Closing Date: November 5, 2026

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.