Senior Director, News and University Affairs

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Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (in office twice a week) however may be subject to changes due to operational requirements.

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to serve as the Senior Director News and University Affairs.

This position provides critical strategic leadership and tactical advice on the Universitys media relations internal communications issues management and crisis and emergency communications. It is key for handling critical issues acting as spokesperson for the University and leading the universitys communications efforts during crises or emergencies.

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice-President Communications the Senior Director provides essential central strategic leadership counsel and expertise for UBCs news - both internally and externally media relations issues management.

You will be a key advisor and counsellor to the President VP External Relations AVP Communications and other senior University officials in handling critical issues. This position is responsible for convening senior administrators to develop high-level draft issues management plans for approval by the UBC Executive. The role works in collaboration with other Communications portfolio leadership to support strategic university priorities and integrate them into daily editorial workflows.

This high-profile role requires working weekends out-of-business hours and on-call duties in case of media issues emergencies or crises.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Associate Vice-President Communications. Works closely with enterprise-wide executive members senior communications and marketing professionals. Works directly with all members of the News and University Affairs management team Senior Director Strategic Communications and Senior Director Brand and Marketing Communications. Senior Director News and University Affairs will shape and build stronger internal relationships to consult on a wider scale beyond the immediate team.


Work Performed
The Senior Director News and University Affairs provides strategic leadership for the universitys news media relations internal communications and issues management. Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Counsel and Guidance: Strategically advising counselling and providing communications guidance to the President Executive senior administration Deans faculty Board and others as appropriate. Engaging directly with the President to ensure their perspective on crucial issues management is reflected in strategy and approach.

Issues Management and Crisis/Emergency Response: Convening relevant AVP/Senior Directors in a Strategy Group when a substantive issue arises that has the potential to negatively impact UBCs reputation. Developing and directing the implementation of media strategies to address crisis emergency communications policies and all aspects of issues management that threaten the reputation of the University. Leading the Universitys communications efforts and directing the development of crisis and emergency plans and protocols.

Media Relations and Internal Announcements: Overseeing the flow of day-to-day faculty and institutional media relations and institutional announcements through internal channels. Ensure UBC leaders and faculty are prepared to deal with media when appropriate. Acting as the official spokesperson for the University on a wide range of topics and issues. Developing strategies to enhance relationships with media and other key communicators both internal and external to the University.

Content and Strategy Alignment: Developing and implementing a coordinated plan to integrate UBCs strategic directions where appropriate into editorial strategies for external and internal channels including key messaging in collaboration with other portfolio teams. Working with Government Relations to ensure appropriate communications strategies and coordination.

Performance Measurement: Measuring the effectiveness of UBCs earned media and internal communications efforts.

Team Leadership: Directing and managing the News and University Affairs team including recruitment staff development and budget management. Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team and among broader university communicators involved in media relations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This role is highly visible and critical to UBCs success. At the center of issues and crisis every action and decision made could have significant legal and reputational impacts for the University.

Errors in judgment poor leadership or failure to gain the trust of senior leadership or the media could have a significant negative impact on the reputation and operations of the University as well as the view of the general public government private industry and the community.

Supervision Received
Works with minimal guidance under broad guidelines established by the Associate Vice-President Communications.

Supervision Given
Manages staff consultants and external service providers directly and indirectly through subordinate managers.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. A minimum of ten years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in communications marketing or journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Over ten years of experience in a large and complex private or public sector organization; including six years at a strategic level. Proven record of professional accomplishment in dealing with the media government; and the general public. Strong issues management experience and capabilities required. Ability to think and act independently and see the broad implications of events anticipate issues and potential problems. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team environment acting both strategically and tactically. Ability to identify and handle critical issues and to work well and remain calm under pressure. Proven ability to communicate professionally tactfully and sensitively with all levels of the University with media community members and with the general public. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications. Proven experience with new media . Works with integrity and is respectful of all colleagues regardless of status. Committed to openness and transparency. A willingness to respect diverse perspectives and a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related inclusion. Must be able to work independently and exercise extensive judgment and decision-making in managing media relations issues and concerns. Clarity of thinking and communication ability to manage stress during crisis and the ability to think and act independently are crucial. Flexibility on workload and timing issues.