AVP, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

at  ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard simplifies the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process by connecting international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions on one intuitive and personalized platform. ApplyBoard is a mission-driven, hyper-growth organization. It has been attracting dedicated individuals for more than eight years who are inspired every day to break down barriers to international education and take their careers to new heights at a company that will invest in their career growth.
Our
six core values
are our compass in our mission to Educate the World and the foundation of our unique company culture. As an organization built on a foundation of diversity, it’s important that our team members are representative of the students from more than 140 countries that we support.
Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, we are looking for a candidate for the AVP, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs supporting the ApplyBoard business. This results-oriented communications leader will oversee and deliver creative internal and external communication strategies and programs that engage employees, protect and enhance ApplyBoard’s brand and align to strategic business priorities.
Location: This is a remote position, with some travel required to Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario at certain times of the year, with some international travel for specific events.

What will you do:

• Provide strategic internal and external communications advice, plans and execution to senior business leaders in ApplyBoard
• Support the President, ApplyBoard engagement strategy and thought leadership, including identifying and executing on media, employee and public speeches/events
• Contribute to shaping and driving the internal and external narrative for strategic priorities
• Protect and enhance ApplyBoard’s reputation through proactive public relations campaigns and issues management. Act as a spokesperson for ApplyBoard as required
• Lead a high performing team of Corporate Communications professionals – effectively coach, mentor, and develop a team. Grow ApplyBoard’s Corporate Communications capabilities and capacity
• Foster strong relationships and partner with communications counterparts, business partners as well as with functional partners to bring ApplyBoard strategies and culture to life for internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to change communications initiatives in partnership with business leaders
• Drive communications best practices and processes for media relations and issues management within direct team, in broader department and for global communications community
• Contribute to the effectiveness of ApplyBoard’s internal and external communications channels

Why you’ll want to work here:

• Helping drive business priorities: You will work with the President, his leadership team and a broad range of senior stakeholders
• Be appreciated: Your success will be recognized and appreciated
• Enjoy: Inclusive, flexible, and fun workplace
• Growth and Opportunity

What do you need to succeed:

• Has direct media relations expertise
• Consistently elevates and prioritizes to deliver senior-level communications counsel to senior executives
• Possesses business acumen and great communications judgement to understand ApplyBoard’s ecosystem - including the ability to track and synthesize stakeholder perception – client, employee, government/regulator, news developments
• Delivers strategies and recommendations that enhance and protect the ApplyBoard brand
• Models behaviour consistent with ApplyBoard’s leadership profile and risk appetite
• Minimum 12-15 years in Corporate Communications – a proven balance of external and internal
• University Degree, and post secondary ideally in journalism or public relations

Assets:

• Global/International communications experience

About ApplyBoard
ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education. With more than 800,000 students from over 150 countries helped with their journey in less than a decade, we are just getting started.
ApplyBoard’s 1,350 global team members in 30 countries assist students and our 1,500 partner institutions by empowering the international student sector with innovative technology and insights. As a four-time consecutive Deloitte Fast 50 and Fast 500 ranked company, ApplyBoard is growing and scaling like few other companies. On top of our strong growth, our people are growing personally and professionally. ApplyBoard India was Great Place to Work® Institute (India) certified for outstanding employee experience and workplace culture.
Thank you for your interest in joining the ApplyBoard Team and being part of our mission to Educate the World. While we are lucky to attract a high level of interest in each of our roles, only qualified applicants will be contacted and selected for an interview.
ApplyBoard welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all aspects of the hiring and selection process

• Provide strategic internal and external communications advice, plans and execution to senior business leaders in ApplyBoard
• Support the President, ApplyBoard engagement strategy and thought leadership, including identifying and executing on media, employee and public speeches/events
• Contribute to shaping and driving the internal and external narrative for strategic priorities
• Protect and enhance ApplyBoard’s reputation through proactive public relations campaigns and issues management. Act as a spokesperson for ApplyBoard as required
• Lead a high performing team of Corporate Communications professionals – effectively coach, mentor, and develop a team. Grow ApplyBoard’s Corporate Communications capabilities and capacity
• Foster strong relationships and partner with communications counterparts, business partners as well as with functional partners to bring ApplyBoard strategies and culture to life for internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to change communications initiatives in partnership with business leaders
• Drive communications best practices and processes for media relations and issues management within direct team, in broader department and for global communications community
• Contribute to the effectiveness of ApplyBoard’s internal and external communications channel