Director of Communications

Overview

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President (AVP), Strategic Communications & Marketing, the Director of Communications is an inspiring, collaborative, visionary and strategic leader and has oversight of a variety of key portfolios to advance the university's Strategic Vision, UNB Toward 2030 including internal and external communications, media and public relations, issues management and crisis communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead a bi-campus team of communications professionals.
• Actively participate in planning, deploying, reporting, and optimizing of the SCM Office's overarching strategic plan and related campaigns, programs, and activities in partnership with the AVP, Strategic Communications & Marketing and Director of Marketing.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to align and integrate the communications and marketing teams' mandates, activities, workflows, and processes.
• Responsible for the implementation of insight-focused and performance-driven institutional communications strategies for internal and external audiences to enhance the visibility and reputation of UNB.
• Work collaboratively with other unit leaders on audience-centric communication strategies.
• Contribute to the reputational risk management of the university by leading, developing, implementing, and optimizing UNB's crisis communications and issues management plans.
• Proactively advise to mitigate issues, manage crises and monitor emerging issues for reputational impact to recommend and prepare appropriate responses.
• Execute and support the development of the President's communications to preserve, protect and build the reputation of the University and the President with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the development of institutional public and media relation strategies to increase awareness of the University at the local, regional, national, and international level.
• Strengthen UNB's influence and recognition on strategic topics and platforms by developing an approach and strategy that leverages the power of the President's, thought leaders' and experts' voices in narrative building.
• Mentor, counsel, coach and integrate the communication team across two campuses to advance team dynamics, inspire best-in-class performance, cultivate a culture of collaboration and mindset of innovation and creativity.
• Ensure performance evaluation systems are in place to monitor and report on the impact and progress of communications activities.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the AVP, Strategic Communications and other senior leaders.
• Act as the Office's lead writer, editor, and final approver.
• Manage the communications budget.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Affairs, Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7-10 years of communications leadership experience. Exposure to post-secondary education an asset.
• Strong collaboration and consensus-building skills. Demonstrated ability working with diverse internal and external stakeholder needs and priorities.
• Experience managing communications teams within complex organizations.
• Knowledge and understanding of current and emerging industry requirements and practices in area of communications expertise.
• Must have excellent writing and editing skills.
• Detail oriented with excellent time management and organizational skills to develop priorities and meet deadlines.
• Expertise in defining and implementing standardized communications processes and policies across an organization.
• Confident working with senior leadership of an organization.
• Strong strategic planning skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills, highly organized and able to deliver priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent presentations, negotiating and conflict resolution skills.