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Job Requisition ID:
2026-01778
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Group:
Staff
Job Category:
Communications
Employment Type:
Permanent
Department:
Advancement and External Relations - Strategic Communications Planning, Content and Partnerships
Hiring Range:
$113,285.63 - $141,607.03
Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday , August 20, 2026 at 11:59PM.
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students , we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline , to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university’s reputation. The communications function specifically leads by helping the university communicate with clarity, credibility and purpose, while developing governance, standards and protocols to uphold consistent, coordinated and effective communications across campus.
The Faculty of Environment communications team brings the Faculty’s ideas, people and impact to life for audiences within and beyond Waterloo. Working across communications planning, storytelling, content, social media and digital channels, the team connects students, researchers, alumni, partners and communities with work addressing climate change, resilient cities, natural resources and biodiversity, and sustainable transitions. Combining deep knowledge of the Faculty’s priorities and audiences with the expertise, channels and standards of Waterloo’s wider communications function, the team strengthens the Faculty’s profile and contributes to Waterloo’s reputation for research, education and innovation with real-world impact.
The Director, Communications is the senior communications lead for a faculty or assigned portfolio. The role applies institutional communications strategy by advising faculty or portfolio leaders, leading the embedded communications team and aligning local communications with university priorities, standards and service-line direction. It also brings faculty or portfolio insight, priorities and context into institutional communications planning, contributing to the development and refinement of institutional communications strategy. S erving as the principal communications partner between the supported portfolio and central teams, the Director enables strong communications execution within a coordinated institutional framework. The role is accountable for ensuring faculty or portfolio communications are strategically grounded, aligned and connected to the wider communications function.
As Director, Communications for the Faculty of Environment, you will shape how one of Canada’s oldest and largest faculties of environment tells its story and engages the people who can help advance its mission. You will be the Faculty’s senior communications adviser—counselling the Dean and faculty leaders, setting priorities for the communications team, and turning complex research, educational achievements and community impact into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences. Working at the intersection of the Faculty and Waterloo’s wider communications function, you will connect Faculty insight with institutional strategy, bring forward high-value stories and emerging issues, and create the conditions for coordinated, audience-focused communications that build understanding, engagement and reputation.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Communication s L eadership
Leads communications planning the supported faculty or portfolio, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, stakeholder needs, and faculty objectives .
Provides strategic counsel to the vice president, dean, executive officer or equivalent portfolio leadership on communications priorities, sequencing, positioning , audience considerations and escalation needs.
Operates within an agreed budget framework established collaboratively through annual planning with the supported faculty or portfolio, the AVP, CIR, and relevant communications leadership, with responsibility for monitoring, forecasting, and ensuring the appropriate and effective use of resources across the Director’s portfolio in alignment with agreed strategic priorities.
I nstitutional C ommunications S trategy Application
Applies institutional communications strategy, narrative direction, messaging frameworks, planning expectations, and communications standards within the supported faculty or portfolio.
Contributes faculty or portfolio insight, priorities and subject-matter context to the development and refinement of institutional communications strategy, storytelling, planning and communications approaches.
Faculty and Portfolio Communications Leadership
Leads faculty or portfolio communications planning within the faculty or portfolio, including prioritization of local activity and coordination with institutional campaigns, messages and service-line initiatives.
Works closely with central communications service lines, institutional partners, and faculty leadership to coordinate communications activities, planning, and resource requirements.
Provides direction, coaching, and oversight to communications staff to ensure local communications planning, advice, and execution align with institutional frameworks, service expectations, and partnership standards.
Measurement, Insights and Continuous Improvement
Uses communications data, stakeholder feedback, audience insight, and local context to identify opportunities to improve communications effectiveness and service delivery .
Supports common practice in planning, messaging, stakeholder advice, storytelling, and institutional alignment across embedded communication teams .
Undergraduate degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, political science, or a related field.
At least 7–9 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, communications planning, or a related field.
At least 3–5 years experience leading, managing, and developing staff within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
S trong expertise in strategic communications planning, stakeholder engagement, communications advisory services, and communications governance.
Advanced knowledge of communications strategy, narrative development, issues management, editorial planning, and organizational communications models.
Ability to translate institutional priorities, stakeholder needs, and local context into effective communications strategies and plans, while identifying when matters require institutional coordination, escalation, or central ownership.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, editing, and executive influencing skills.
Demonstrated political acuity, diplomacy, and sound judgment when navigating complex organizational, stakeholder, and reputational considerations.
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
