Associate Vice-President, Communications

Description

Organization
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a comprehensive research university with four campuses across the Calgary, Alberta region. Granted autonomy as a university in 1966 (but with origins in the early 1900's), UCalgary enrolls approximately 38,000 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Their research ecosystem is ever-growing, now a $589 million enterprise, with no sign of slowing down. And for the last five years, UCalgary has led the country in start-up creation, building more than 90 companies over this time period, more than any other Canadian university.

The university's Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan sets ambitious goals for excellence in teaching and learning, research and innovation, community engagement, and operational effectiveness. With clear objectives set out to 2030, UCalgary has set a strategic direction to unequivocally become one of Canada's top universities. Recently, the university also launched the Start Something brand campaign, to solidify our strategic market position as Canada's entrepreneurial university.

The university is a large and complex institution that drives tremendous value - we have an annual consolidated budget of more than $1.8B, are one of Calgary's largest employers, and generate an estimated $20B in economic impact to the province.  Two-thirds of the university's 230,000 alumni live and work in the Calgary area, effectively building the city Calgarians know and love.

The university has incredible talent - motivated and accomplished students, faculty, and staff - who drive new knowledge creation, improve lives, and better our world. Those who work at UCalgary come for the opportunity to make a positive contribution to student experience, to participate in ground-breaking research initiatives, to be immersed in a lifelong learning environment, to engage with and give back to the community, and to enjoy all that Calgary has to offer as a city.

Beyond academics, the university fosters a dynamic campus life. It is home to the Dinos, its varsity athletics teams, which have produced numerous Olympic and Paralympic medalists. The campus features innovative facilities like the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, which support cutting-edge education and innovation. With its blend of academic rigor, research leadership, and community engagement, UCalgary continues to shape the future of education and discovery in Canada and beyond. 

Location - Calgary, AB
Calgary, located in the province of Alberta, is one of Canada's most dynamic and rapidly growing cities. Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, it offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Known for its strong energy sector, Calgary is also a hub for innovation, finance, and technology. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with festivals like the Calgary Stampede, a world-famous rodeo and exhibition, drawing visitors from around the globe. With over 1.6 million residents, Calgary is celebrated for its high quality of life, diverse communities, and access to outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Its sunny climate-boasting more days of sunshine than any other major Canadian city-adds to its appeal as a place to live, work, and explore.

To learn more about Calgary and the University of Calgary, please visit: www.visitcalgary.ca and www.ucalgary.ca  

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:

Strategic Communications Planning and Execution

• Leading the creation of, managing the implementation of, and measuring the impact of communications plans that advance UCalgary's strategies and initiatives, and build our reputation and brand in the community;
• Overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of communications services, standards, tools, and platforms, including: 
  • externally-focused communications,
  • internally-focused communications,
  • executive communications support services, such as speechwriting for executive leadership,
  • digital engagement and social media,
  • strategic marketing, including an audience-driven marketing strategy, trademark and licensing, and creative services and identity standards,
  • issues and crisis management;
• Overseeing and creating world-class, compelling, informative, and audience-centric communications materials that advance the University brand identity, broadens awareness of its programs, priorities and impacts, and increases its visibility across key stakeholder audiences; 
• Overseeing forecasting, planning, management and the effective and efficient utilization of financial resources, including an annual operating budget of approximately $7 million; and,
• Being a champion of the UCalgary brand and ensuring both voice and visual identity is consistently implemented throughout all communications and marketing materials, including, but not limited to internal/external communications, web, social, email, print, video, corporate reports, advertising, presentations, and speeches.

Issues and Crisis Management

• Overseeing the issues management team, and leading at times on issues management when it is a more significant issue; 
• Serving as a member of the Crisis Management Team;
• Managing reputational risk during major incidents and crisis by leading and participating in planning and execution of crisis communications; 
• Serving as a media spokesperson on key issues when required.

Communications Channel Management

• Leading the messaging strategy and working with the institution's content and digital marketing teams on many integrated communications channels;
• Monitors trends and best practices in communications and reputation management, both within the post-secondary sector and beyond (including the incorporation of data analytics and advanced technology); and,
• Analyzing channel analytics and measuring the effectiveness of all mediums in communications initiatives.

Lead, Develop and Support the Team and the Broader University Community

• Building, developing, coaching, and mentoring a high-performing team of approximately 50 communications professionals, including performance management and succession planning; 
• Providing effective communication and cascading of institution priorities, alignment, and employee engagement;
• Participating in functional strategy sessions as required; 
• Inspiring the team and individuals to do their best work; 
• Creating an empowered environment with trust and support to take risks and effectively problem solve;
• Developing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including the Board, the Senate, faculty, students, staff, alumni, community partners, media, and other educational institutions; and,
• Supporting opportunities that arise for the university to use its convening power and foster public dialogue on important and complex social issues; highlighting the University of Calgary's role as an intellectual, social, athletic, and cultural hub in the city.

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.

Personal / Professional Attributes

• Exceptional communication skills and emotional intelligence;
• High intellect with broad public sector awareness including trends as well as opportunities/risks;
• The ability to work collaboratively in a team environment as well as independently in a complex environment, with competing priorities;
• High attention to detail, organized and delivery oriented;
• A strong customer-service focus working under tight deadlines and managing multiple customer demands and priorities;
• Get it done attitude, high energy and focused on outcomes;
• Ability to quickly build trust and respect with diverse stakeholders;
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels of an organization;
• Effective problem-solving skills; and,
• Strong critical thinking skills particularly with regards to the Institutional brand and reputation.

The University of Calgary has engaged the Executive Search Firm, DHR Global to manage this search. To explore this exciting opportunity further, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by July 28, 2025.

All applications will receive an automated response and will be thoroughly reviewed by the committee. Only those selected for interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position.
 

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)