Director, Presidential Communications [Temp MAPS]

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Terms and Conditions of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded) , this position has a term length of three years and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits  and annual salary range which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location – North Campus and Enterprise Square, Edmonton. This role is in person.

Working for the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

Strategic Communications is focused on enhancing and protecting the institutional reputation of the University of Alberta as one of the leading public universities in Canada and the world. We are inspired by and committed to supporting the strategic goals of the university’s institutional strategic plan. We build awareness and understanding of the U of A’s transformative impact on students and society. We showcase the initiatives and stories that demonstrate the U of A’s commitment to research and teaching excellence that leads to positive enduring change both close to home and around the world. We foster pride and engagement across our internal communities and campuses. Finally, we enable transparency and accountability around university administration and governance.

Position summary

With an emphasis on strong organizational experience and collaboration, the Director, Presidential Communications plays a vital role in creating and executing an integrated “one university” presidential communications strategy that aligns with the institutional External Relations strategy. The President’s communications strategy will engage internal and external audiences by aligning communications and marketing strategies that 1) advance the president’s vision and priorities and 2) strengthen the institution’s brand. 

This position develops and leads a strategic communications plan for the president and leads a team that provides communications supports including speech writing, articles, key messages, strategic reports and visual presentations to government and other external audiences. The Director will manage both short-term work and anticipate and address long-term strategic opportunities and issues in support of the president’s agenda.

Duties

The Director, Presidential Communications will: 

• Lead the development and implementation of proactive, innovative and integrated communications plans that advance the president’s vision and priorities as well as specific institutional strategic priorities.
• Lead the strategic development of presidential editorial calendar, messaging, as well as related C-suite content designed for both internal and external audiences. This will be aligned with the institutional editorial calendar. Develop and oversee messaging and ensure the authenticity of the president’s voice and message across all communications platforms. This includes speeches, reports, blog posts, talking points, op-eds, social media content, video scripts, correspondence and more.
• Lead a team of communications professionals, including potential new positions, that support these goals.
• Develop and advance the “voice” and narrative of the President and lead on behalf of the institution: coordinate and oversee the creation, drafting and production of select key institutional documents, institutional annual reports, presentations, briefing notes, and other relevant communications materials for both internal and external audiences. Mentor high performing, strategic writers across the executive portfolios and ER.
• Provide strategic counsel to the president, Chief Strategy Officer, the President’s Chief of Staff, vice-president (external relations), and other vice-presidents and senior leaders as required.
• Working in partnership with VP portfolio senior partners and communications teams, conceive, direct and implement executive communication messages for senior executives (for issues and initiatives of institutional breadth and impact) and ensure these communications across executive portfolios are strategic, coordinated and aligned.
• Partner with university leadership to develop proactive strategies, positions and messages on key policy issues and help communicate those messages to critical stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for the president to tell U of A’s story to a national audience and execute a thought leadership plan that promotes the president and the university in areas of strategic interest, leveraging their strengths and expertise with key stakeholders.
• Working in partnership with the Director, Issues Managements and the Director, Media Strategy, provide crisis communications and issues management advice, strategies and tactics to elevate the president’s position and interests in a way that assures a positive place in the public and political conversation.
• Work in collaboration with the External Relations leadership team and President’s Office team, lead the coordination and alignment of presidential communication functions and strategies.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing leads in External Relations and across campus to amplify the President’s messages, particularly among internal audiences, and identify meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Serve on university committees and work groups.
• Handle confidential information with high levels of discretion and good judgment.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations of the President’s Communications office, including budget, data integrity, workflow and best practices in business processes.
• Special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related area, preferably a graduate degree and/or leadership training and experience
• 10 years in a leadership position with demonstrated ability in management and team building skills in a large and complex organization
• Ability to translate complex institutional priorities into an actionable strategic communications plans
• Strong management, coaching, and team building skills
• Solid understanding of and experience in editorial strategy, internal communication, issues management, media relations, alumni and donor communications, and social media management
• Experience in project management, negotiation and brokering
• High degree of professionalism and judgment
• Excellent research, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Deep and extensive understanding of academic culture, the university’s policies and procedures and its organization structure
• Ability to write for a variety of audiences through various mediums
• Ability to maintain strict standards of confidentiality

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.