Communications Specialist in Kitchener

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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 Communications Specialist is a role 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. Working within established communications strategy, governance and standards, the role ensures communications activities are coordinated, audience-focused and aligned with institutional priorities, messaging frameworks, and business objectives.

The Communications Specialist supports the School of Pharmacy, within the Faculty of Science, by developing and delivering strategic communications that raise the profile of the School and strengthen engagement with key audiences. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners, the incumbent leads recruitment marketing initiatives, manages social media channels, writes feature stories and news content, supports alumni and advancement communications, and maintains and updates the School’s website.

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.
  • Applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to adapt approaches based on audience, channel, and contextual needs.
  • Supports achievement of communications objectives through effective planning, coordination, and execution.
• 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.
  • Applies editorial judgment to ensure communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with institutional standards.
  • Recommends content approaches and messaging strategies that support audience engagement and communications objectives.
• 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.
  • Provides advice and recommendations regarding communications approaches, messaging, audience considerations, and implementation requirements within a defined scope.
  • Builds productive working relationships to support effective collaboration and delivery.
  • Resolves communications-related issues and stakeholder concerns within established frameworks and delegated authority.
• 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.
  • Collaborates with communications, marketing, creative and digital teams to support integrated communications delivery.
  • Exercises professional judgment to manage competing priorities, resolve implementation challenges and adapt approaches to changing requirements.
  • Evaluates communications performance, audience engagement and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, inform recommendations and improve communications effectiveness.
  • Applies audience insight, performance information, and stakeholder feedback to strengthen communications outcomes within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Continuous Improvement and Communications Practices
  • Recommends improvements to communications processes, tools, templates, and delivery approaches based on audience insight, stakeholder feedback, and emerging practices.
  • Contributes to the development and adoption of consistent communications practices across the team.
  • Maintains awareness of communications trends, technologies, and emerging practices.
  • Contributes to continuous improvement of communications services and outcomes.

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.
  • Experience coordinating projects and stakeholders in a complex, multi-functional environment.
  • Experience producing communications, content, and materials for diverse audiences.
  • Experience in higher education, the public sector, or another complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.
• 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.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret information, audience feedback, and communications performance measures to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Strong communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Strong project planning, coordination, and prioritization skills across multiple initiatives and competing demands.
  • Ability to identify communications issues, recommend solutions, and adapt approaches as required.
  • Strong understanding of communication standards, accessibility requirements, audience engagement principles, and content development practices.
  • Proficiency with communications, digital, reporting, and collaboration tools.

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. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

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. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.