Graduate Studies Marketing and Recruitment Specialist

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Internal posting expires on January 15 2026 at 11:59 pm

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Graduate Studies Marketing and Recruitment Specialist will market promote and recruit students for the Faculty of Engineerings graduate studies programs working to attract the best graduate students and professionals from across Canada and internationally.

Working as a part of the Faculty of Engineerings Marketing and Communications team to deliver on the applicant requirements of the Engineering Graduate Studies Office (EGSO) the incumbent is accountable for planning project managing implementing evaluating and reporting on marketing communications and recruitment initiatives to inspire future graduate students and support them in the admissions and onboarding process.

This role will be fully supported by the Faculty of Engineerings Marketing and Communications team in the development of content to integrate and leverage strategic plans and communications initiatives for the Faculty. The role will also closely collaborate with the Graduate Studies and Post-Doctoral Affairs (GSPA) and their cross-campus peers.

Key Accountabilities

Graduate Student Recruitment Strategies

Identify and profile appropriate audiences for the Facultys graduate programs including but not limited to research-based programs course-based programs and online programs

Develop and execute the annual strategic graduate recruitment and communications plan utilizing appropriate marketing and communications strategies aligned with the Faculty-level recruitment objectives and institutional strategic priorities.

Track and report on in-market recruitment initiatives from our competitors monitoring the effectiveness of recruitment strategies. Evaluate current and potential student markets for recruiting opportunities

Commission market research as appropriate to gain insight of key audience interests aligned with program delivery

Develop strategic approaches key marketing messages audience identification communications collateral and evaluation measures for graduate student recruitment and enrolment management initiatives.

Plan and organize the promotion of new engineering graduate programs

Report on success and outcomes of recruitment efforts make recommendations for improvement

Develop and manage recruitment budget

Remain current on issues trends technologies demands and approaches in marketing communications and communicate relevant best practices to stakeholders

Graduate Recruitment Events

Project manage Faculty-wide graduate recruitment & confirmation events both in-person and virtual

Collaborate with Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) other faculties departments and other universities (i.e. CGEC) as required.

Organize and execute appropriate recruitment events including management of event logistics providing event updates and liaising with key stakeholders (internal to UW and external partners) for event management and connecting with appropriate individuals to arrange faculty staff and student leader participation in events

Prepare and/or coordinate required event and program promotional materials (i.e. posters e-mail campaigns social media grad brochure)

Evaluate post-event and provide recommendations for continual improvement

Research and identify graduate recruitment fairs in which to participate

Represent the Faculty including oral presentations to large and small groups and one-on-one as a means to recruit potential students both in-person and virtually.

Marketing and Communications

Develop and implement marketing communication initiatives to support the Facultys graduate recruitment and enrolment strategies attracting the top students to apply for admission accept their offers and enrol.

Research write and produce graduate studies brochures digital content and other appropriate promotional materials to both raise the profile of Engineering Graduate Studies in general and for recruiting for individual programs

Lead brand assets (e.g. photography video advertising logos stories etc.) and graduate studies brand activities across owned shared and paid media (websites social media print and digital advertising publications email/direct marketing).

Identify key individuals to profile for recruitment materials and social media and as required research interview and write student and/or professor profiles

Regularly review and update the online content aligned with recruiting for Engineering Graduate Studies coordinating new photography stories video production social media strategy as appropriate

Work with the Facultys Marketing Communications team to develop social media strategies and initiatives as a means to engage with prospective applicants

Work with UWaterloo Creative Services in the development of print and digital assets

Internal Support and Leadership

Lead working groups and other events to influence (progress) the knowledge and culture of graduate recruitment practices for the Faculty

Develop positive relationships within Engineering and with its stakeholders both internal and external and identify opportunities for collaboration and consultation with departments partners and campus colleagues.

Collect data related to leads applications and enrolments from lead-generation tools and EGSO staff and use data to inform departments and give context to recruitment effort outcomes.

Ensure the effective project management of recruitment projects including departmental goals personnel needs and resources as well as the definition monitoring reporting and refining of appropriate measuring and reporting metrics

Develop and manage project methodology that ensures successful project integration with all stakeholders ensuring thorough and open communication with all teams involved to deliver project goals.

Working with the Facultys Marketing Communications team to develop web best practices with Engineering academic units for marketing graduate student recruitment and student engagement.

Oversee the hiring and management of co-op students freelance vendors and external service providers as required.

Other Recruitment and Administrative Functions including but not limited to

Ensure that University of Waterloo and Faculty of Engineering branding visual identity and styles are consistent in all graduate recruitment communications.

Coordinate prospective graduate student visitation events

Direct graduate prospect inquiries to appropriate office or individual

Facilitate faculty member visits to businesses and other groups to promote graduate student recruitment

Stay informed of developments related to engineering graduate studies

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education

Completion of a Bachelors degree in Business Marketing or Communications is required

Education or training in project management public relations and digital media are an asset.

Experience

3-5 years experience in a business marketing and/or communications role is required preferably in higher education.

Proven experience working with integrated marketing and communications strategies ideally in a a highly complex institution and competitive marketplace.

Strategic-planning proficiency with evidence of critical-thinking and analytical skills to enable communications and marketing plan assessment

Demonstrated project planning and implementation experience

Experience preparing strategic plans for marketing communications including: CRM media consumer behavior/trends and direct/addressable marketing

Experience in engaging internal and external stakeholders to work collaboratively and build consensus in a complex environment characterized by competing priorities.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to persuade demonstrate and reinforce the value of graduate studies for prospective students as well as internal and external stakeholders

The role covers a broad set of responsibilities requiring expertise in strategic recruitment communications marketing and working knowledge of website best practices digital and content marketing as well as communications design development and execution.

Strong organizational and project management skills coupled with proven ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities and short deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of an organization.

Ability to build consensus foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders and lead integrated project teams.

Self-starter who can move quickly to find the right solution. Able to work independently usually within a complex and often-ambiguous environment and collaborate on team marketing communication plans.

Intermediate to expert use of current project and data management tools including:

Marketing Automation Platform or CRM (MailChimp)

Adobe Creative Suite Canva

Project Management Software (ex. Airtable Wrike)

Microsoft Teams and Zoom

Web content management software

Quest experience an asset

Office software:

o Document preparation: Apple Pages or Microsoft Word

o Spreadsheet: Apple Numbers or Microsoft Excel

o Presentation: Apple Keynote or Microsoft 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.