Director of Communications and Marketing, Research and Innovation Full-time Job

Position Purpose

Promotes and enhances the public profile of the university’s research excellence by providing strategic direction and leadership for both internal and external communications.

 

As a communication leader, provides vision, leadership, expertise, strategic operation and tactical advice to the research community. Responsible for the development and implementation of innovative communications and marketing strategies and major events with the objective of raising the profile of uOttawa research internally and externally on a local, national and international scale.

 

Manages the communications and marketing team to promote uOttawa research in a wide range of communications channels, including Web and print, video, social media, media releases, advertising and events and marketing materials. Ensures that all communications materials and strategies support the research sector’s reputation and its main objectives.

 

 

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Leads the development and implementation of vision, communications and marketing plans and strategies for the OVPRI, providing expert advice on best practices and resources that improve reach and engagement with internal and external audiences.

• Creates and articulates short and long-term project-specific communication plans targeted for internal dissemination and buy-in, in cooperation with the Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

• Directs the communications efforts of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Associate Vice-Presidents, Research and, occasionally, the President by developing compelling key corporate messaging about the University’s research priorities to key target audiences, influencing stakeholder engagement. This includes providing speaking notes and writing speeches.

• Provides strategic communications planning and editorial expertise to researchers, faculty communications teams and services within the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation with the aim of improving their communications and marketing activities.

• Leads the development of strategic direction for communications and marketing related to research by setting priorities, processes, defining audiences, adopting various methods and establishing key performance indicators.

• Elaborates, manages and controls the communications and marketing budget to ensure the optimal use of resources in order to meet the OVPRI’s priorities and goals efficiently.

• Leads the planning and management of all research events, such as ministerial announcements, research symposia, VIP conferences, etc., in order to enhance the visibility of the University of Ottawa.

• Maintains direct ties with external clients, including academic and community leaders, elected officials, media, granting agencies and research organizations in order to promote the University of Ottawa’s research activities within the broader community and to identify potential outreach and collaboration opportunities.

• Responsible for ensuring that the most up-to-date editorial practices are applied to research material, staying abreast of developments in the fields of research and communication, and facilitating the sector’s adaptation to changing patterns in media consumption.

• Designs, establishes and maintains an organizational structure and staffing level to effectively accomplish the University's goals and objectives.  Oversees recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of Communications and Marketing Research staff.

• Hires, manages and oversees the work of external suppliers, such as freelance writers, translators, photographers, videographers and designers, for the production of printed and audiovisual material, among other communications tools.

 

 

What you will bring:

• A minimum of a graduate degree in the fields of communications, journalism, marketing or a related area
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience of providing strategic communications advice to senior executives.
• A minimum of 10 years of leadership and management experience in communications and marketing, writing and editing in French and English for print and the Web
• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of strategic communications and marketing plans, including digital and print strategies, media relations, advertising and events management
• Minimum of 5 years of human, financial, resource and project management as well as  demonstrated ability to diplomatically and successfully resolve conflict
• Proven abilities in building partnerships and/or collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent ability to co-ordinate a variety of tasks under pressure, managing priorities, meeting strict deadlines and following up on deliverables
• Demonstrated initiative, autonomy and excellent leadership skills to foster commitment and cooperation within the communications team
• Sound judgment, initiative, tact and diplomacy, as well as a high level of discretion in handling confidential information
• Ability to quickly assimilate complex information and to translate this information into plain language for a variety of audiences
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills in English and French (written and verbal).
• Strong skills in leading, motivating and coaching professional communications teams

 

Closing Date:

septembre 13, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above

The University of Ottawa, often referred to as uOttawa or U of O, is a bilingual public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on 42.5 hectares directly to the northeast of Downtown Ottawa across the Rideau Canal in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood.