Communications Specialist II in Kitchener

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. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise.

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 completed.

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 Communications Specialist is responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating communications initiatives that support institutional priorities. The role applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to develop, implement and refine communications activities across content, channels, campaigns, projects, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

• Communications Planning and Delivery: Plans, coordinates and delivers communications initiatives, projects and activities aligned with operational and strategic priorities. Translates objectives and requirements into coordinated communications activities, deliverables, and implementation plans. Independently manages assigned communications work, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, and intended outcomes.
• Content Development and Execution: Develops and delivers communications content, messaging, and materials across a variety of channels and formats. Research, analyze and synthesize information to create clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications. Produces and edits communications products including web content, articles, presentations, key messages, briefing materials, and digital communications.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Collaborates with stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and communications colleagues to support communications initiatives. Acts as a key point of coordination for assigned projects, aligning inputs, expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
• Communications Measurement and Effectiveness: Leads the day-to-day delivery of assigned communications initiatives, ensuring activities, deliverables and stakeholder inputs are aligned to achieve intended outcomes. Evaluates communications performance, audience engagement and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, inform recommendations and improve communications effectiveness.
• Continuous Improvement and Communications Practices: Recommends improvements to communications processes, tools, templates, and delivery approaches based on audience insight, stakeholder feedback, and emerging practices.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience: 2-4 years of related communications experience. Experience developing and delivering communications initiatives across multiple channels and formats.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Strong knowledge of communications planning, writing, editing, message development, and content creation. Ability to independently manage assigned communications activities and apply professional judgment within a defined scope.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees.