Senior Manager, Integrated Communications

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Posting Information:

This position will be offered as an internal secondment or external contract position

Internal posting deadline is December 4 2025

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Senior Manager Integrated Communications will advance IQCs image profile and reputation in support of the Institutes strategic objectives; act as a strategic communications expert for the Institute; and provide broad strategic and specific tactical leadership. The incumbent will be a storyteller and editor providing leadership and guidance to IQCs senior leadership and staff on content creation and management. Under the direction of the Director Communications and Strategic Initiatives (CSI) this position will coordinate pan-university quantum planning and initiatives with campus partners. This position will collaborate with marketing and communications colleagues across the University to foster collaboration and shared goals with the broader community. The incumbent must be a highly skilled writer with a superior understanding of both traditional and new communication technologies and a strategic thinker with extensive experience.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic planning budgeting and program evaluation

Leads communications (national and international) planning activities including development of communications goals objectives strategies and action plans

Identifies and makes recommendations on innovative approaches to disseminate content

Develops and manages the communications budget

Develops metrics and standards for program evaluation

Presents plans for approval

Contributes to the development of IQCs strategic positioning

Reports on program effectiveness and recommends and implements changes

Conducts and secures research to identify business needs and user needs to meet IQCs strategic communications objectives via print web digital and social channels

Conducts environmental scans and competitive analyses

o Share of voice across peer institutions (domestic and international)

o Share of voice across various media outlets (domestic and international)

Creates content strategies to guide communications and marketing design and development

Maintains an editorial calendar for integrated communications and internal/external relations initiatives

Quantum liaison

Acts as IQCs lead on the pan university quantum initiative and quantum liaison for communication and marketing colleagues across campus.

Partners with University Relations and works closely on planning developing and implementing pan university quantum marketing and communications initiatives.

Represents IQCs voice and position in communication material and facilitates conversations that enhance IQCs reputation and value to key local international and international audiences and stakeholders (internal and external)

Ensures consistency accuracy and excellence in quality and content of messaging in all materials and works collaboratively with University colleagues

Conducts research and interviews to write edit and fact-check a variety of communication materials

Develops multi-stakeholder communications plans to support significant content or events in support of IQCs marketing and communications plans

Publishes strategic communications content on IQCs websites social media channels and a suite of central institutional print and digital collateral used to advance IQCs reputation

Performs other duties of a comparable level/type as assigned

Brand Management

Provides leadership and support in the development of IQCs positioning identity framework and key messaging

Provides leadership and support to create IQCs identity principles and brand guidelines

Provides strategic guidance for the creative development process

Generating content

Sources new content and stories to promote IQC by communicating regularly with IQC faculty and monitoring publication databases for recently published research results

Takes the lead on generating content and writing stories to publicize and promote IQC

Takes the lead on promotion/pitching/writing/editing of stories on behalf of IQC to selected journalists. Works closely with researchers on media releases and inquires

Occasionally writes and edits multimedia web and online content in alignment with digital-content- writing best practices and web accessibility legislative requirements and provides editorial support for web content as required (define content writing-and-editing workflows)

Occasionally creates content for executive leadership including thought pieces and presentations

Program oversight and execution

Implements and provides day-to-day oversight for communications programs

Works in collaboration with vendors or Creative Services/Digital Communications to execute creative concepts refinements and secures final approvals

Principal project manager for all integrated communications

Collaboration outreach and internal communications:

Works closely and collaboratively with communications colleagues across campus

Shares information regularly with marketing and communications colleagues in the faculties of science math and engineering in regards to shared faculty

Participates as a key member of the Communications Working Group Communications Council and other communications groups across campus

Manages internal communications for IQC by approving weekly announcements created by the CSI Administration Coordinator working with the Outreach team to promote events colloquiums and lectures on various channels

Vendor selection and oversight

Leads the process for the assessment review and selection of key external vendors following all University policies and procedures

Manages relationships with a wide number of vendors related to IQCs communication goals

Develops and manages relationships with best-in-class media planning and buying agencies

Develops contractual agreements with key external vendors and manages the ongoing relationship

Responsible for (national and international) media buying and negotiations

Required Qualifications

Education

University degree in strategic communications marketing or a related field or equivalent experience. English Journalism degree preferred

Experience

7 years of experience in a relevant integrated communications role preferably with experience in the university sector

5 years of experience translating complicated ideas into easy to understand terms. Experience as a science writer considered an asset

Extensive experience using social media and new media tools web-based interfaces social networking sites video sharing sites blogs and Wiki

Experience in media relations considered an asset

1 year of agency experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Superior written and verbal communication skills

Persuasive and resilient in driving initiatives with multiple stakeholders

Proven ability to balance persistence with professionalism

Highly driven and achievement oriented

Excellent presentation skills

Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning

Depth of experience:

o In positioning and brand building

o In development of creative strategies

o Across both print digital and social platforms

Creative and campaign development

Advertising planning

Media planning and buying

Measurement and evaluation

Demonstrated success in producing effective print publications

Critical thinking and analytical skills to enable assessment of complex higher education issues of concern to stakeholders including among others the media the public employers recruiters academics and funders

Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Able to lead within an integrated and collaborative team environment; a positive team approach to working with colleagues and media partners

Actively and skillfully engaged in social media

Advanced knowledge of Word Excel PowerPoint

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 or ext. 45935.