Associate Director, Strategic Communications

DUTIES

The Strategic Communications function at Thompson Rivers University provides a range of services to support TRU’s mission and vision, and relationships amongst various key stakeholders. Services include internal and external communications, media relations, and issues management, as well as strategic advice and communications planning. Strategic Communications is part of the broader Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team that supports TRU’s recruitment, retention, and reputation-building activities.

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), Marketing and Communications, the Associate Director, Strategic Communications (ADSC) is responsible for the planning and execution of communication strategies and plans. The ADSC is a member of the MarCom leadership team and works closely and in collaboration with the ED and the President’s Office to support an integrated marketing and communications approach in advancing university priorities. The ADSC is a strong collaborator, strategic thinker, and leader in communications best practices.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of communication strategies to achieve university goals, support TRU’s vision, and build the overall reputation and profile of the institution.
• Provides end-to-end support for the Executive media engagements, including preparation, interviews attendance, and follow-up to ensure alignment with institutional messaging.
• Oversees media monitoring activities, distributing relevant coverage to senior executive in a timely manner.
• Prepares a schedule of upcoming University stories, announcements, and sector-wide media stories ensuring the Executive are informed and aligned.
• Provides leadership and direction to a team of union and non-union staff, including ongoing oversight and performance management/optimization. The Strategic Communications function is responsible for:
  • Supporting the university in communicating institutional information through the development of engaging communications materials in a variety of mediums in multiple voices intended for different audiences.
  • Managing internal communication channels
  • Supporting the planning, coordination, and preparation of communications for university events.
  • Developing tools, templates, and guides to enhance communications capacity across the institution
  • Managing the university’s reputation through proactive issues management and crisis communications response, as well as monitoring and responding to media inquiries.
• Develop and lead communication training sessions for internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate on joint projects with other members of MarCom
• Maintain positive and productive relationships among a diverse network of university community stakeholders.

REPORTS TO
Executive Director, Marketing & Communications

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field (, public relations) supplemented by relevant experience. A Master’s degree in a related field would be an asset.
• A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of experience in communications, media relations, and/or related fields.
• Senior Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification, CPRS, or equivalent preferred.
• Experience with leading teams and supervising staff, preferably in a public sector organization.
• Experience working in a complex organization with diverse stakeholder groups, including experience with senior executives.
• Excellent communication skills in English, written and verbal, with strong interpersonal skills and business acumen.
• Excellent and demonstrated communication/editorial judgment, diplomacy, and ability to handle sensitive issues and situations.
• Ability to identify and leverage communications best practices and innovation to achieve organizational goals, including the use of new technologies.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple ongoing projects.
• Ability to quickly prioritize and react to changing dynamics and communicate priorities to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Successful track record in providing communications counsel to individuals at peer, subordinate and senior levels.
• Familiarity with the complexities of internal communications in a post-secondary academic environment, with knowledge of protocols, governance processes, and stakeholder groups an asset.