Director, Marketing and Communications

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean Faculty of Law and serving as a key member of the Faculty of Laws leadership team the Director of Marketing and Communications leads the strategic vision development and execution of all marketing and communications initiatives across the Faculty.

The Director is central to driving revenue growth supporting program recruitment elevating the Facultys research and external profile and protecting its reputation in a complex and evolving social political and economic environment. With a strong focus on promoting academic offerings enhancing digital presence and supporting fundraising and revenue-generating programs the Director oversees all aspects of marketing and communication activities in the Faculty including media relations internal communications and brand stewardship while ensuring alignment with University-wide communications and strategic priorities.

The Director provides expert counsel to the Dean and other members of the Facultys senior leadership team leads thought leadership initiatives and research promotion targeting the legal profession and academic community and plays a critical role in managing communications around sensitive and high-impact social or political issues affecting the law school community.

The ideal candidate brings senior-level expertise in program marketing graphic design oversight crisis communication stakeholder engagement and content development including copywriting speechwriting and editing. They are a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and the agility to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and emerging issues.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and lead an integrated marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the Facultys strategic priorities including student recruitment academic and professional program growth research promotion advancement and brand positioning.
Enhance the Facultys national and international image and reputation by leading strategic communications in areas of identified importance and by proactively identifying and pursuing new marketing opportunities.
Oversee all marketing and communications activities including media relations internal communications branding and content development ensuring consistency quality and alignment with the Facultys goals and Queens Universitys visual and messaging standards.
Provide strategic counsel to the Dean and Faculty leadership offering expert advice on marketing communications crisis management and public relations particularly in complex or sensitive situations. Lead the Facultys response to reputational or crisis communications issues exercising sound judgment on strategy and escalation and determining when and how to involve senior leadership.
Oversee the development and distribution of communications materials including print digital and web-based and lead strategies to adopt emerging technologies and media including social platforms to support both internal operations and external outreach.
Drive strategic marketing initiatives that support revenue-generating programs such as professional certificates graduate diplomas and online offerings while supporting annual recruitment efforts for JD and graduate programs.
Increase the Facultys media profile by working closely with central to identify and share newsworthy stories and elevate the visibility of faculty members and institutional achievements.
Collaborate with Advancement to support annual giving class giving and major gift initiatives through strategic communications planning compelling proposals and integrated campaign messaging.
Champion research promotion and thought leadership developing campaigns and communications that strengthen the Facultys voice and visibility in the legal profession and academic community.
Write review and refine key communications including reports presentations correspondence and leadership messaging ensuring accuracy tone and strategic alignment.
Prepare and oversee a marketing and communications budget annually for approval.
Represent the Faculty as a communications expert on University committees and working groups providing leadership and insight on marketing and branding strategy.
Lead and manage a high-performing marketing and communications team providing strategic oversight clear direction and ongoing coaching across all areas of the portfolio. Provide guidance to internal contributors who play a key role in delivering communications initiatives. Source and manage external consultants and service providers as needed to support specialized projects or capacity requirements.
Plan prioritize and manage the work of employees providing strategic and tactical advice guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources participate on staffing committees and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
Manage performance by establishing performance standards reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
Investigate address and resolve employee/labour relations issues including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline discharge and probationary termination.
Other duties as required in support of the Faculty of Law

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
University degree in Business Journalism Public Relations Communications or related field.
Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience including 5 to 7 years at a senior level in a strategic marketing and/ communications capacity.
Proven management leadership and relationship-building experience with demonstrated skills in organizing motivating and directing professional staff and colleagues.
Several years of demonstrated project management experience.
Extensive knowledge of strategic planning processes and the ability to develop and write strategic communications plans.
Consideration may be given to equivalent combination or education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Proven ability to deliver strategic and prioritized marketing and communications solutions in dynamic environments demonstrating adaptability flexibility and sound judgement.
Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to leverage market insights to shape communications that strengthens the Facultys brand and supports its goals.
Excellent business acumen; adept at aligning marketing objectives with broader institutional strategies.
Skilled in managing complex or sensitive issues with political acumen tact and diplomacy ensuring alignment with the Facultys reputation and image.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills including editing and presentation abilities.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to build trust and foster partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated leadership and project management abilities including the capacity to coordinate multiple initiatives while meeting tight deadlines with high-quality outcomes.
Creative and strategic thinker with a non-prescriptive problem-solving approach to marketing and communications challenges.
Experienced in issue management and media relations with the ability to provide clear focused communication advice to senior leadership.
Intercultural fluency and commitment to fostering inclusive communications that reflect the diversity of the campus community.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and operational efficiency within marketing and communications functions.
Effective in managing competing priorities within demanding schedules while maintaining focus and attention to detail.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive for innovation and growth aligned with Faculty objectives.
Deep knowledge of strategic planning processes including the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies.

DECISION MAKING:
Determine the overall marketing and communications strategy that best advances the Facultys strategic goals and revenue-generating initiatives.
Decide how to align all marketing and communications programs with the Facultys brand character core messaging and long-term positioning within the legal and academic communities.
Set strategic priorities for the Marketing and Communications team deciding how best to allocate resources across JD and graduate recruitment research promotion online and professional programs and advancement and fundraising efforts.
Make decisions on how to structure manage and adjust team resources and project timelines to ensure timely delivery and maximum impact of all marketing and communications initiatives.
Identify when current marketing and communication strategies require adjustment or replacement and decide on the development of new communications and external relations initiatives in response to emerging opportunities or challenges.
Choose the most effective marketing tactics and channels to achieve specific program goals ensuring alignment with the Facultys objectives.
Determine the messaging tone and content for internal and external communications including high-profile interviews public statements and media engagement.
Decide when and how to provide strategic support and direction to Faculty staff responsible for implementing marketing and communications activities.
Establish Faculty procedures for protecting trademarks photo rights and proprietary content.
Decide how Faculty marketing and communications activities should be integrated with broader University strategies to ensure consistency.
Assess the impact of reputational risks and determine the appropriate response in high-pressure or crisis situations including when to escalate to senior leadership and which individuals to involve.
Determine the budgetary needs of the marketing and communications function and decide on annual financial requests to support strategic execution.
Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires.
Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
Assess investigation outcome of grievances and make effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .