Senior Writer and Special Projects Officer

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 94,000 - 156,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Toronto is seeking a Senior Writer & Special Projects Officer (SPO) to provide high-level communications support to the Office of the Vice-President & Provost. The role involves preparing a wide range of written materials, developing audience-specific messaging, and coordinating with senior leadership to advance strategic communications initiatives.

The incumbent will work closely with the OVPP and other senior administrators to manage projects, ensure confidentiality, and engage

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in English or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in progressively responsible senior positions with experience in writing, editing and communications.
• Extensive experience in a confidential executive office environment within a complex public sector environment.
• Experience in developing and implementing written communication strategies and products.
• Excellent understanding of the University’s mission and intersection with the broader community.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a range of written products: remarks, statements, letters, briefing notes, proposals, reports and policy papers.
• Develop messaging for diverse audiences taking into account sensitivities of stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal communication teams and leadership to produce integrated communications.
• Engage senior administrators and manage projects to ensure efficient execution.
• Maintain confidentiality and diplomacy while coordinating with governors, faculty, staff, students and community members.

Skills

Written communication

Editing

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Discretion/confidentiality

Education

Master’s or PhD in English

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Databases

Job description

Date Posted: 09/22/2026

Req ID: 50285

Faculty/Division: VP & Provost

Department: Office of Vice President & Provost

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Assistant Provost, the Senior Writer & Special Projects Officer (SPO) is responsible for providing high-level communications support to the Office of the Vice-President & Provost (OVPP) on a wide-range of politically and culturally sensitive issues.

The incumbent will prepare a range of written products, including remarks, statements, letters, briefing notes, proposals, reports, policy papers, articles, quotes, scripts for Divisional events, newsletters, and speaking notes for interviews and greetings. The Senior Writer & SPO will prepare messaging for each intended audience, ensuring it is timely and effective taking into account sensitivities of diverse groups of stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with internal communication teams and leadership, the incumbent will prepare integrated communications products on behalf of the Vice-President and the Division. The incumbent will also participate in the development of strategic communications plans and the coordination of communications activities within the OVPP.

Working closely with the Assistant Provost, the Vice-President and Provost and the Vice-Provosts, as well as other senior university administrators, the Senior Writer & SPO is responsible for project management and implementation to ensure the work of the Provost's Office can be carried out efficiently and effectively.

The incumbent will coordinate, assist with and advance projects, and initiatives within the OVPP that require knowledge of confidential information about staffing, priorities, and new strategic directions.

The incumbent works in a complex environment that requires a high degree of sensitivity, responsiveness, and ability to engage stakeholders with competing interests, while maintaining absolute confidentiality and diplomacy. The incumbent must present a professional image in the Office by interacting knowledgeably and courteously with the many people including governors, senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members who come into contact with the OVPP.

Qualification Required

Education

• Post-graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in English or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in progressively responsible senior positions with experience in writing, editing and communications.
• Extensive experience in a confidential executive office environment within a complex public sector environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing efficient records tracking and retention systems and bring-forward systems.
• Experience in developing and implementing written communication strategies and products.
• Excellent understanding of the University’s mission and intersection with the broader community.
• Excellent knowledge of the post-secondary education sector and its issues.
• Ability to understand, articulate, and address issues of multiculturalism and cross-cultural intersections.

Skills

• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills.
• Proficiency in writing different types of correspondence and documents for different audiences and attention to detail.
• Substantive knowledge of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity is an asset.
• Excellent computer skills, including a strong facility with the Internet as well as with various software programs, including Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, spreadsheets and database management programs, and correspondence software.
• Demonstrated excellent Internet research skills.

Other

• Superior oral and written communication, interpersonal, decision-making and organizational skills.
• Ability to proactively manage a large and constantly fluctuating workload and to meet deadlines.
• Professional demeanor and ability to exercise tact, judgment and discretion.
• Ability to maintain strict standards of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated initiative and flexibility. Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of individuals across all levels of the University and with external community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated diplomacy.
• Proven ability to work both independently and to collaborate and participate effectively within a team environment.

NOTE: This is a term position until March 31, 2028.

Closing Date: 10/06/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 -- Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 -- Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

Job Segment

PR, Internet Research, Sharepoint, Developer, Project Manager, Marketing, Research, Technology