DESIRED CANDIDATE ABILITIES, BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Given the role this individual will play in the Company’s continued growth and success, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following education, experience, and personal characteristics:

EDUCATION

• A post-secondary degree in communications, public relations or a related field;
• A Master’s degree is preferred; and,
• Professional membership with CPRS / IABC or other related professional association would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of progressive, strategic, and well-rounded experience within a complex business environment, including a minimum of five years in a communications leadership role in a highly complex environment with multiple internal and external stakeholders;
• Knowledge of the public sector or post-secondary sector would be a strong asset;
• Experience as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on a wide range of communications and reputational issues;
• Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and measuring the outcomes of strategic communications plans in ways that advance organizational objectives;
• Proven track record of success mitigating and managing issues involving multiple audiences;
• Expert understanding of crisis communications best practices;
• Knowledge of freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation;
• Experience as a media spokesperson considered as asset;
• Understanding of how to leverage current developments and opportunities in social and digital media, using clear objectives and metrics;
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of developing a vision and leading people to collectively execute the strategy;
• 8+ years¿ experience and a passion for leading, coaching, and mentoring a high performing team of direct reports;
• Experience developing and monitoring department and project budgets in complex fiscal environments;
• Expertise in time management and the ability to stay focused on key priorities in the face of competing demands;
• Success as a relationship builder who is confident and comfortable developing consensus across diverse communications by being direct, articulate, decisive, pragmatic, and socially and politically astute.
• Experience developing comprehensive communications strategies in support of organizational goals;
• Well-developed project management skills; and,
• Experience with social media and metrics data analysis for optimization.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary mandate of the Associate Vice-President, Communications is to build, enhance, and protect the brand, identity, and reputation of the University of Calgary. The position is responsible for overseeing the development of operational plans that enhance the institution’s profile and pride among numerous stakeholders both on campus and beyond - locally, nationally, and internationally.
This role reports to the Vice-President (External Relations) and is a member of the External Relations leadership team. This role is also a member of both the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Crisis Management Team (CMT).

This is the most senior communications role on campus, responsible for:

• communications services (including platforms, channels and services targeting internal and external audiences),
• brand and marketing (including trademark and licensing, creative services and identity standards),
• media outreach and relations, and,
• issues and crisis management.

The role leads a high-performing team of approximately 50 communications staff and works closely with many internal stakeholders across campus. The role must strike a balance between delivering on institutional priorities and providing support and services to the broader university community that has been formalized through the use of service agreements with faculties and units.
The ideal candidate is an experienced, dynamic, and charismatic leader with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a large, complex organization with a multi-faceted stakeholder environment, and deep expertise in communication and marketing strategy, operations and tactics. An outstanding communicator, the candidate is able to develop positive relationships at all levels of the institution, and functions with confidence and ease, especially under pressure. The person is decisive but also a team player who develops staff and encourages an open and collaborative approach to achieving goals in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. At times, the person may be asked to serve as the university’s media spokesperson on key issues, including in the event of a crisis.
As a public institution, the candidate understands the requirements for open, honest, timely, and transparent communications, and the legislative and regulatory environment public sector organizations in Alberta must operate within. Additionally, the candidate understands the university’s policies, procedures, and bi-cameral governance system that it must also operate within.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a critical role in UCalgary’s continued success and growth. The role is accountable for the following: