Senior Communications Specialist

at University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

Listed on EduAtlas: live school vacancies from schools’ own careers pages and public job services. Apply on uwaterloo.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.

Salary: CAD 80,248 a year
Closing date: Open until filled
Start: Not given in the advert
Type of post: Administration and business
A support post, not a teaching post.
First seen: 11 November 2026, on a public job listing

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The advert

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

2026-03791

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Communications

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Advancement and External Relations - Strategic Communications Planning, Content and Partnerships

Hiring Range:

$80,248.28 - $100,310.35

Posting Information:

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 18 months

The internal posting deadline for this position is November 19, 2026, at 11:59PM.

This position is being offered as a secondment or contract opportunity.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This job description has been prepared to support implementation and role clarity. It reflects the intended scope of the role at this stage and may be subject to minor adjustments as the work is operationalized and responsibilities are finalized.

University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university’s reputation. The communications function specifically leads by helping the university communicate with clarity, credibility and purpose, while developing governance, standards and protocols to uphold consistent, coordinated and effective communications across campus.

The Senior Communications Specialist is a senior role responsible for leading complex or specialized communications initiatives within an embedded faculty communications team. The role applies advanced communications expertise, professional judgment and analytical capability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate communications strategies, messaging and content aligned with institutional priorities. Working within established frameworks and governance the role independently manages substantive work, provides guidance to colleagues and stakeholders, and contributes to the continuous improvement of communications practices, processes and outcomes.

Within the faculty, the role applies advanced communications expertise to support the faculty’s strategic priorities across research, academic programs, student experience, faculty leadership and external engagement. The role works closely with faculty leaders, academic departments, researchers and central communications partners to develop integrated communications that strengthen reputation, advance faculty priorities and align with institutional messaging, governance and communications standards.

Key Accountabilities

Faculty communications

• Leads complex or specialized communications initiatives supporting faculty priorities, including research, academic programs, student recruitment, advancement and reputation-building.

• Develops strategic messaging, communications plans and content that translate complex academic, research and institutional priorities into clear, audience-focused communications.

• Provides specialized communications advice to faculty leaders, researchers, academic departments and subject-matter experts on communications planning, messaging and stakeholder engagement.

• Coordinates communications across faculty stakeholders and central communications partners to support integrated delivery and alignment with institutional priorities and communications standards.

• Evaluates communications opportunities, stakeholder considerations and communications performance to strengthen faculty communications and support continuous improvement

Communications Planning and Delivery

• Plans, develops and delivers complex or specialized communications initiatives, projects and priority activities aligned with institutional objectives.

• Translates institutional priorities and stakeholder needs into communications plans, approaches and implementation strategies. Independently manages substantive communications work requiring professional judgment, analysis and coordination.

• Coordinates cross-functional communications activities across multiple audiences, channels, contributors, and timelines.

• Evaluates communications effectiveness and identifies opportunities to improve outcomes, engagement and impact.

About University of Waterloo

Type: University