Director, Communications

Open Competition: This position will be posted until June 11th, 2023, however, applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis in preparation for interviews at the end of June 2023.

Job Number:  J0223-0530

Job Title:  Director, Communications

Job Type:  Continuing Full Time

Department:  Communications

Job Category:  Administrative Management

Number of Positions:  1

Date Posted (dd/mm/yyyy):  02/03/2023

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy):  11/06/2023

Salary (with Salary Rate):  100,927.00 - 131,206.00/Year

Employee Group:  Non-Union

Salary Level:  NU07

Hours Per Week:  37.5

Date Position Available:  06/03/2023

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world.

As one of the 2023 Top 100 Employers in Canada and one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for nine consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.

The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020-2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values.

The university’s Department of Communications is currently seeking a high performing leader to direct its Public Relations/Communications team. The position is well-suited to someone seeking to mentor others to excellence while providing high level execution of PR/communications deliverables.

The Department’s mandate is to be a strategic resource for marketing and communications advice and expertise at Carleton, to protect and promote the University’s reputation and profile and to support key institutional operations through the development, execution, measurement and evaluation of strategies and content.

This critical management role will develop and manage corporate and stakeholder communications for the university. The position is also responsible for early identification and strategic analysis of emerging issues, as well as responses to media inquiries. It supports an expansive brand and marketing strategy to enhance the university’s local, national and international stories so that they are shared, understood and valued by the institution’s stakeholders and audiences.

The role involves providing strategic counsel to executives and senior leadership, deans, faculty and staff related to communications tactics to strengthen the university’s reputation and ensure consistency of messaging.

The ideal candidate will have extensive expertise in corporate communication strategy development and execution and demonstrable experience navigating crisis situations and issues management. The role requires an ability to think and act strategically, align multiple institutional objectives with the university brand and an ability to manage stressful situations in a positive, solution-oriented way.

The Director, Communications is a full-time continuing position. The total compensation package includes competitive salary, extended health and dental benefits, pension, annual and sick leave, life insurance, and unique perks such as tuition benefits and access to the fitness facilities at Carleton.

Responsible for leading, developing, executing and measuring strategic communication activities (internal and external), as well as issues management at Carleton, the Director, Communications oversees creating an integrated and cohesive communications strategy for the university. The incumbent will provide counsel and advice on all communications matters to senior leaders and support plans and actions that protect and promote the institution’s visibility, profile and reputation.

The incumbent must possess the following qualifications:
• Expert knowledge of communications/public relations, strategy, execution, evaluation
• Knowledge of operational management and leadership concepts and practices, including program/service delivery models, policy development, planning, budgeting, performance measurement management, and human resources
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Knowledge of cultural competency and diversity
• Expertise in leading issue and crisis communication teams and planning
• Experience in a complex, issues driven organization
• Experience acting as a spokesperson on prominent, challenging issues

The above is normally acquired through the completion of a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred. This along with a minimum of ten years of communications program and service experience, including at least seven years leading high performance communications teams and overseeing development of strategic integrated digital and traditional programs at large, complex organizations.

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

This position is regularly required to work on campus. Due to the ongoing dynamic nature of Covid-19, you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all directives to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.

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