Director, Public Relations & Communications

Date Posted: 01/22/2024
Req ID: 35728
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physl Ed.
Department: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physl Ed
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is globally recognized for developing and advancing knowledge about the interactions of physical activity and health through outstanding undergraduate and graduate education programs, cutting-edge research and the delivery of sport, recreation and high performance athletic opportunities for students, staff, faculty and community members across the three campuses. In achieving this vision, the Faculty is guided by values of integrity, respect, equity and diversity https://kpe.utoronto.ca/ . 

Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement, the Director provides senior leadership for all aspects of public relations and communications. The Director is responsible for the development and implementation of a complex and comprehensive communications strategy by which to enhance the Faculty’s image and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally as among the top Kinesiology faculties worldwide. The Director is the resident expert overseeing a large array of program and event-specific curricular and co-curricular communications plans and will have responsibility for publications, as well as social media and web presence.

The Director, Public Relations and Communications is responsible for providing senior media relations and communications expertise and bringing together the many constituent groups at KPE who are focused on developing, advancing and disseminating knowledge through education, research and practice. The Director actively participates in senior-level decision-making and is responsible for liaising and working closely with senior management on media relations, publications, newsletters, institutional statements and issue management, ensuring appropriate consultation and process.

The Director manages a staff of high-caliber professionals and assumes overall responsibility for human resources, labour relations and financial management, including dispute resolution and compliance of collective agreements.

The incumbent will have a strong understanding of the technical work necessary for the development of impactful strategies and their successful execution.

I.           EDUCATION:

University degree in public relations, communications, related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

II.          EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant, progressive experience in public relations and communications. Experience in academic, health or recreation and sport environments preferred.

• Demonstrated skills and experience managing and leading staff, preferably in a unionized environment.

• Demonstrated experience project managing high quality publications and annual reports.

• Experience developing and managing budgets and negotiating contracts.

• Experience using web content management systems.

• Experience working in a highly complex organization.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; excellent oral and presentation skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Strong in negotiation, persuasion and ability to deal professionally with tension and conflict.

• Tact, mature judgement, political acumen, diplomatic

• Excellent critical thinking and problem solving

• Creative and strategic leadership skills

• Supervisory skills and ability to set priorities and foster a strong team environment including the ability to inspire staff and colleagues toward the achievement of a goal

• Strong time management, administrative and organization skills

• Highly developed organization, communication and relationship management skills.

• Ability to maintain professional decorum and make sound judgements under pressure.

• Ability to interact with senior members of the University and the business community.

• Highly customer service oriented with sensitivity to various levels of expectation from a diverse community of stakeholders, including students, community members, staff, faculty and alumni.

IV.         OTHER:

•            Familiarity with developments in AI related to public relations and communications.

•            Proven record managing large, complex projects.

•            Self-motivated and accountable

•            Expert in-depth knowledge of print and digital trends in communications and best practices.

•            Demonstrated success using web and social media to inform and engage audiences.

Closing Date: 02/12/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $102,763 - $119,892 -- Broadband Salary Range: $102,763 - $171,273
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial