Director, Communications

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level C

Job Title

Director, Communications & Events

Department

Academic & Administrative Leadership | Faculty of Education

Compensation Range

$7,622.83 - $11,886.67 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

February 19, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

May 15, 2026

The position is a maternity leave replacement and the tentative job end date is May 15, 2026.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Director, Communications and Events, is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating a wide variety of media, public relations and other communications strategies designed to enhance the image and reputation of the UBC Faculty of Education and its initiatives, programs and research locally, nationally and internationally. This position leads one-time or annual routine events hosted by the Dean and/or the Office of the Dean and has a direct responsibility for event planning, logistic organization, event communication and budgets.

Organizational Status

Reports directly to the Dean of Education and interacts regularly with the Faculty’s academic and administrative leadership team, including Associate/Assistant Deans, Heads and Directors, the University’s senior administrators, donors, as well as government agencies and professional organizations. Works closely with unit-level communications teams. Maintains a close working relationship with UBC Communications and other faculties to promote the Faculty of Education and coordinate key messages.

Work Performed
- Conceptualizes, develops, implements and evaluates Faculty-wide communications strategies, plans and protocols to advance the Faculty’s strategic goals. This requires a thorough understanding of the Faculty’s vision and priorities, which can be distilled into effective communications practices.
- Develops and executes a robust digital engagement plan to increase awareness of our programs, research achievements and growing impact on the community at the local, national and international levels.
- Responsible for issues management and crisis communication planning. Advises the Faculty of how best to respond to serious or complex issues. Anticipates potential communication challenges and in the event of a crisis, ensures all communications are appropriate and timely.
- Acts as a key liaison between the Faculty of Education and external organizations, such as government, media, industry and the wider community in general. Responds to media inquiries.
- Develops key messages, identifies audience and evaluates the Faculty’s internal and external communications strategies and activities. Initiates evidence-based changes in the portfolio.
- Provides guidance to unit-level communicators; nurtures and leads Faculty-wide and cross-unit collaboration in implementing communications strategies and carrying out communications activities/campaigns.
- Develops and executes plans for various events, both annual and one-off events, hosted by the Dean and/or by the Office of the Dean. These events include, but are not limited to, recognition events for staff, faculty, donor, the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, etc.
- In collaboration with the Dean’s executive support team and the Faculty of Education DAE team, as needed, manages event planning, organization, communications, logistics and budgets.
- Prepares speaking notes, letters and announcements for the Dean, as needed, on all aspect of affairs in the Faculty, including materials that may be highly sensitive and confidential in nature, where impeccable writing skills with an ability to convey information with fluidity in a variety of styles is crucial.
- Responsible for the ongoing development, content planning and generation for Faculty communications vehicles, including, but not limited to: Faculty website, annual reports, electronic newsletters, researcher profiles, social media accounts, media releases and digital signage. Ensures quality, frequency and alignment with the Faculty’s strategic goals.
- Identifies and responds to emerging opportunities to profile the Faculty of Education and i