UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY VACANCY

(Until approximately July 16, 2024)

Managerial & Professional

POSITION TITLE: Communications Officer

DEPARTMENT: Office of the President & Vice-Chancellor

Who We Are:

The University of Windsor is a globally relevant, regionally focused University that welcomes over 16,000 students in a range of comprehensive and research-intensive graduate and undergraduate programs. The University consists of eight academic faculties, which include Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Human Kinetics; Education; Law; Engineering; Nursing; and Business. The UWindsor campus is home to a medical program offered by Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The University employs a passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, numbering approximately 2,500, of whom approximately 600 are tenured or tenure-track faculty.

The University’s unique position on an international border between Canada and the United States has contributed to its identity as a diverse university community providing rich cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for faculty and students. The University is a key player in a wide range of distinctive industrial, entrepreneurial, and cultural activities throughout the City of Windsor and Essex County, and in an evolving network of international academic and industrial partnerships, particularly with leading American universities in Michigan.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Communications Officer develops integrated communication plans, products, and strategies that support the priorities and emerging needs of the Offices of the President, the Provost and Vice-President Academic (VP, Academic) and the Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (VP, EDI). In collaboration with the Chief of Staff, the Provost and the VP, EDI, the incumbent identifies and develops strategies and communications in response to emerging and critical institutional issues, and in collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, tracks communications data to inform planning. The incumbent is involved in executive-level discussions regarding business objectives, priorities and initiatives that involve sensitive labour and employment matters and will exercise judgment in a highly confidential environment.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate will possess:

• Degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications, or a related field as determined by the department.
• At least seven years’ experience with progressive levels of responsibility for communications planning and execution, with a proven record of writing, editing, developing creative communications in print, web and digital platforms for multiple audiences, including at least two with involvement in issues management and/or crisis communications, preferably with previous experience in educational or public sector organizations
• Professional experience in issues management and/or formal training in issues management and crisis communications.
• Ability to understand the goals, strategy and planning of the Office of the President and translate into compelling communication strategies and content.
• Awareness and understanding of systemic barriers faced by equity-seeking groups; either from first-hand experience, work, and/or educational background.
• Experience in engendering and integrating the values of diversity, inclusion, intersectionality into communications practice, particularly those associated with anti-discrimination and anti-oppression initiatives
• Excellent judgment, tact, and diplomacy
• Evidence of success working with cross-functional teams
• Strong research and data collection skills with experience in policy and institutional matters
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, interpersonal and project-management skills, with experience in writing informative materials for general audiences as well as briefing documents
• Experience in digital communications, including development and management of websites
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities successfully while maintaining high levels of quality and productivity.
• High level of professionalism and experience dealing with confidential and highly sensitive materials and matters.
• High level of interpersonal skills and the capacity to listen effectively and sensitively to a broad range of diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff members
• Excels at working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and situations requiring rapid response
• Advanced computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, design and publishing software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator), web design) with extensive experience working with websites and social media platforms
• Ability to work a flexible schedule where required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Familiarity with the operation of post-secondary institutions.