Senior Communications Specialist

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Job Requisition ID:

2026-03791

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Communications

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Advancement and External Relations - Strategic Communications Planning, Content and Partnerships

Hiring Range:

$80,248.28 - $100,310.35

Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 18 months

The internal posting deadline for this position is November 19, 2026, at 11:59PM.

This position is being offered as a secondment or contract opportunity.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This job description has been prepared to support implementation and role clarity. It reflects the intended scope of the role at this stage and may be subject to minor adjustments as the work is operationalized and responsibilities are finalized.

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 Senior Communications Specialist is a senior role responsible for leading complex or specialized communications initiatives within an embedded faculty communications team. The role applies advanced communications expertise, professional judgment and analytical capability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate communications strategies, messaging and content aligned with institutional priorities. Working within established frameworks and governance the role independently manages substantive work, provides guidance to colleagues and stakeholders, and contributes to the continuous improvement of communications practices, processes and outcomes.

Within the faculty, the role applies advanced communications expertise to support the faculty’s strategic priorities across research, academic programs, student experience, faculty leadership and external engagement. The role works closely with faculty leaders, academic departments, researchers and central communications partners to develop integrated communications that strengthen reputation, advance faculty priorities and align with institutional messaging, governance and communications standards.

Key Accountabilities

Faculty communications

• Leads complex or specialized communications initiatives supporting faculty priorities, including research, academic programs, student recruitment, advancement and reputation-building.

• Develops strategic messaging, communications plans and content that translate complex academic, research and institutional priorities into clear, audience-focused communications.

• Provides specialized communications advice to faculty leaders, researchers, academic departments and subject-matter experts on communications planning, messaging and stakeholder engagement.

• Coordinates communications across faculty stakeholders and central communications partners to support integrated delivery and alignment with institutional priorities and communications standards.

• Evaluates communications opportunities, stakeholder considerations and communications performance to strengthen faculty communications and support continuous improvement

Communications Planning and Delivery

• Plans, develops and delivers complex or specialized communications initiatives, projects and priority activities aligned with institutional objectives.

• Translates institutional priorities and stakeholder needs into communications plans, approaches and implementation strategies. Independently manages substantive communications work requiring professional judgment, analysis and coordination.

• Coordinates cross-functional communications activities across multiple audiences, channels, contributors, and timelines.

• Evaluates communications effectiveness and identifies opportunities to improve outcomes, engagement and impact.

Strategic Messaging and Content Development

• Develops strategic messaging, narratives and communications materials supporting institutional priorities and complex communications objectives.

• Researches, analyzes and synthesizes complex information into clear, compelling and audience appropriate communications.

• Produces and reviews a wide range of communications products across print, digital and executive communications formats.

• Ensures communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive and aligned with institutional voice, tone and standards.

• Identifies opportunities to strengthen storytelling, audience engagement and communications effectiveness.

Stakeholder Partnership and Advisory Support

• Works with leaders, clients and stakeholders to understand objectives, define requirements and support effective communications delivery.

• Provides practical advice and specialized subject-matter expertise related to communications planning, messaging, audience engagement and implementation approaches.

• Builds productive working relationships with stakeholders, service partners and colleagues across the institution.

• Provides guidance and informal support to colleagues and partners within area of expertise.

• Escalates issues requiring broader alignment, approval or strategic direction.

• Participates in emergency communications planning and response as required within the university's emergency communications framework

Reputation awareness, sensitivity assessment and escalation

• Identifies communications risks, stakeholder concerns and reputational considerations associated with initiatives and organizational decisions.

• Supports communications planning and implementation for sensitive, complex or emerging issues.

• Monitors relevant audience, stakeholder, channel or sector developments connected to assigned work to identify trends or issues that may affect communications planning and delivery.

• Advises stakeholders on communications implications and mitigation approaches within established frameworks.

Measurement, Continuous Improvement and Practice Development

• Analyzes feedback, audience insight and performance information to improve communications effectiveness.

• Identifies recurring issues, process gaps and opportunities to strengthen communications practices and service delivery.

• Contributes to the development and refinement of communications frameworks, templates, guidelines and resources.

• Shares knowledge, lessons learned and emerging practices with colleagues and stakeholders.

• Maintains awareness of communications trends, technologies and evolving professional practices

Required Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or a related field.

Experience

• 4–6 years of progressively responsible communications experience.

• Experience independently managing complex or non-routine communications initiatives.

• Experience developing strategic messaging and producing high-quality communications content.

• Experience coordinating projects, communications activities or stakeholder-driven initiatives involving multiple contributors and competing priorities.

• Experience providing communications advice and recommendations to clients, leaders or project teams.

• Experience in higher education, the broader public sector or another complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Advanced writing, editing, strategic messaging and content development skills.

• Ability to independently lead complex or specialized communications initiatives and provide specialized expertise within area of practice.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to inform recommendations and decisions.

• Ability to interpret audience, stakeholder and performance information and apply insights to improve communications outcomes.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information effectively.

• Strong project planning, coordination, and organizational skills.

• Strong stakeholder relationship management, consultation, and advisory skills.

• Ability to provide guidance and informal leadership within an area of expertise.

• Sound judgment, problem-solving capability, and decision-making skills.

• Proficiency with communications, digital, reporting and collaboration tools

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.