Description
The Communications and Marketing team within the Faculty of Arts is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Communications Specialist.
Reporting to the Director, Communications and Marketing, the Senior Communications Specialist will work closely with members of the Faculty of Arts’ Communications and Marketing team to develop and deliver communications and marketing plans that engage the University of Calgary’s key audiences, boost the awareness of the university, enhance the university’s overall reputation, and deliver against the Faculty of Arts Dean’s strategic direction.
This role will develop and implement effective communications and marketing plans targeting the Faculty of Arts’ key audiences, with a focus on internal communication initiatives. This includes managing and implementing a range of communications including, programs, publications and other communications tactics that address the goals and objectives related to our audiences. The candidate will incorporate and execute digital and social media communications and marketing in alignment with the overall communications and marketing plan and work collaboratively with leadership, faculty, fellow staff, and select vendors to develop and publish communications and marketing materials for print, email, social and web channels. The work includes creating communication plans, FAQs and leader’s guides; writing/reviewing web, ad, email and social media copy; interviewing and writing research stories; publishing web content, and reporting on communications and marketing results.
Working in a highly collaborative department, this individual is communications and marketing savvy and deeply knowledgeable of the creative production processes required to support complex communications and marketing programs and campaigns. They are a strong and diplomatic communicator with a broad understanding of the university environment, an ability to view projects through the unique perspectives of a diverse array of client-colleagues, and the sound judgment required to get to a successful outcome in what can often be challenging circumstances. The person in this role must be a steadfast advocate for the university’s brand and core creative platform, applying our core principles to decisions made in the context of multiple projects.
To manage the multiple projects that this role handles, this individual must be excellent at organization and prioritization, as well as managing information effectively for different types of projects. While no shiftwork or dangerous conditions are involved, there is stress associated with managing multiple and often time-sensitive deadlines for mission-critical deliverables, as well as dealing with colleagues at various levels and from different areas within the institution.
The position requires the ability to use discretion, maintain professionalism, confidentiality and composure under pressure, demonstrate adaptability and flexibility and provide efficient, quality service often requiring multi-tasking simultaneous priorities. High volume and variety of work demands, much of which are driven by internally and externally imposed deadlines and requirements, can be expected.
This is a full-time position and is part of the AUPE Collective Bargaining Unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase III.
The Senior Communications Specialist supports the communications needs of the Dean’s Office and the Faculty of Arts. This role reports to the Director, Communications and Marketing. This includes providing strategic communications advice to address client communications requests, providing crisis communication advice, writing communications plans, FAQs and response guides and managing tactics included in those plans; adapting branded design templates for print and digital products, writing for the website using Drupal 8 web system; managing a communication SharePoint site; creating briefing notes and speaking notes for the Dean and other clients; providing event communications support; and more.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Communications and Marketing:

• Develop and implement effective communications and marketing strategies and plans in support of the clients’ goals and objectives.
• Develop and implement effective internal communication strategies, with a focus on effectively managing a communication SharePoint site.
• Work collaboratively with the client, faculty, fellow staff, and select vendors to plan, develop and publish communications and marketing materials for print, email, social media and web channels.
• Manage, plan and implement a range of campaigns, publications, and other communications and marketing tactics that address the goals and objectives of the client’s strategy and plan.
• Interview clients and write research stories for website, newsletters and social media.
• Ensure the implementation of strong and consistent brand and positioning protocols across all projects and initiatives.
• Adhere to and perpetuate the university’s brand and identity guidelines in the interest of protecting the professional reputation and distinct positioning of the institution.

Stakeholder Relations:

• Develop and maintain successful and productive relationships with the client and colleagues within the client portfolio.
• Manage and coordinate with outside agencies and vendors as required.
• Manage complex issues and challenging interpersonal interactions with composure and diplomacy.
• Ensure that communications are timely, accurate, informative, professional, and represent the university appropriately.
• Seek expert opinions and advice where appropriate and considered reliable.

Communications Project Management:

• Help to develop and finalize communication plans, event briefs, speaking briefs, FAQs, and leadership guides for projects as needed, ensuring that they are complete and validated before proceeding to project launch.
• Secure approval of all collateral content and artwork prior to production.
• Participate in proofing and proof-reading processes as required.
• Provide input as needed for changes to procedures and practices.
• Interface with external vendors and suppliers as required to ensure project. completion.
• Deal effectively with complex issues, using judgment, common sense and problem-solving skills.

Reporting:

• Work with the Director, Communications and Marketing to build reports for clients and to share with the rest of the Communications team.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• 5+ years of experience in a responsible coordination position leading complex projects within the communications and marketing sector.
• Undergraduate degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or demonstrable skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing high-impact communications and marketing plans and campaigns to meet goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated experience in creating communication plans for internal audience engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage crisis communications.
• Deep knowledge of latest digital communications and marketing and social media trends.
• Solid understanding of communications and marketing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills is required for this role.
• Good leadership qualities and negotiation skills.
• Proven exposure to and experience with the creative process and project management challenges.
• Strategic thinker, with demonstrated ability in partnership-building.
• Creative thinker and problem-solver who can think fast on their feet.
• Well organized, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize functions daily and capable of simultaneously managing multiple responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently as well as in an energetic team environment.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality within communications practices;
• High level of tact and professionalism.
• Results-oriented and independent, with demonstrated initiative in turning ideas into formalized projects.
• Confident and poised with strong interpersonal skills, passionate about quality and able to deliver in a high-performance environment, with multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines.
• Experience working in an institutional environment with high-profile stakeholders is an asset.
• Experience in managing a SharePoint communication site or intranet site.
• Experience working in a marcom, advertising or PR agency is an asset.
• Experience working with Drupal 8 is an asset.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office applications.
• High-level of understanding of the university business systems.
• Excellent attention to detail.
  Application Deadline: July 31, 2025.
  We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
  This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
  For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

Please refer the Job description for details