Senior Writer and Special Projects Officer

University of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 94,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Toronto's Office of the Vice-President & Provost seeks a Senior Writer and Special Projects Officer to provide high-level communications support on sensitive issues. You will craft remarks, letters, briefing notes, proposals, reports, and speaking notes for interviews and events.

Collaborating with internal teams and leadership, you’ll shape messaging for diverse audiences, develop strategic communications plans, and coordinate OVPP activities.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in English or equivalent.
• 7+ years in senior writing, editing and communications roles.
• Experience in a confidential executive office environment.
• Ability to develop written strategies and products.

Responsibilities

• Prepare remarks, statements, letters, briefing notes, proposals and reports.
• Develop messaging for diverse audiences with sensitivity to stakeholders.
• Coordinate communications activities within the OVPP and with leadership.
• Support project management and implementation for the Provost’s Office.

Skills

Research skills

Writing

Editing

Communication

Internet research

Education

Master’s or PhD in English

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Spreadsheets

Database software

Job description

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Senior Writer and Special Projects Officer

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
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening 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] .