Inclusive Communications Manager, Equity

Overview:
The Inclusive Communications Manager (EDI-R) is responsible for writing and developing a wide range of communication products in support of the University’s strategic objectives, specifically supporting the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism and other strategic communications at the University of Waterloo.

Working day-to-day in support of the team in the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism, the role uses anti-oppression, anti-racism, and decolonizing lenses to provide guidance to senior leaders at the University of Waterloo on communications at Waterloo. They use these lenses to develop communications to promote, deliver and facilitate anti-racist, anti-oppression, and equity-focused communications solutions and plans.

Under the direction of the Director, Inclusive Communications, this role delivers and coordinates communications for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism and supports all equity
- and anti-racism related communications and issues across multiple areas of the University. The role covers a broad set of responsibilities requiring expertise in employee and student communication, storytelling, speechwriting and working knowledge of website best practices, social media, and digital marketing, as well as communications design, development, and execution.

**Responsibilities**:
Implement equity-informed communication plans
- Provide leadership in creating communication products and plans that embed the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and decolonization
- Research and develop strategic communication strategies and plans to support the work of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism and University Relations
- Ensure consistency of voice and message across all channels
- Work with campus stakeholders to prepare messaging, communication products, speeches, reports, presentations, and other materials in support of inclusive communication
- Facilitate community engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders
- Manage and co-ordinate all activity in Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism communication plans, including deploying resources and managing risks
- Ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective channels mix and maximize the potential of digital channels
- Support all lines of University Relations and University Communications work, as needed

Insights and understanding
- Provide strategic communications advice to colleagues in resolving communications challenges and managing contentious and sensitive issues.
- Analyze and segment internal audiences to target communication effectively.
- Maintain a strong understanding of different internal audiences. Use this knowledge to ensure the tone, language and format of internal communication is easily accessible to and read by a range of campus groups

Influence and impact
- Provide support and clarification to other communicators to ensure they are confident in delivering key messages and to strengthen the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and decolonization in University of Waterloo communications.
- Promotes collaboration amongst communicators across the University to challenge thinking with an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens.
- Develop and deliver evaluation approaches for communications, using relevant tools and guidance.

Qualifications:

- University degree in English, political science, public relations, marketing, or a communications-related field
- 5+ years of progressive experience providing communication support in a complex, fast-moving and diverse corporate environment is essential
- Experience working with issues supporting anti-racism, anti-oppression and decolonization in diverse communities is desirable
- Experience developing established objectives into material for targeted communications and engagement activities across a range of different channels and media, including face-to-face engagement
- Experience in writing, proofing, and editing material (including speeches), and of presenting proposals and plans to senior/board level executives
- Experience providing superior client service and an ability to change perceptions and align expectations, garnering engagement, and collaboration with communication services
- Experience of working with executives and leaders and demonstrating advanced influencing and negotiation skills
- Experience of developing organizational objectives into material for targeted communications and engagement activities across a range of different channels and media, including face-to-face engagement
- Experience of working with people with no direct or negative experience of ‘professional’ communications and ensuring their expectations/input/requirements from communication are effectively aligned and managed
- Evidence of a highly collaborative style and an ability to react quickly to changing