Senior Partner, Communications and Marketing

Competition 2221

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Strategic Communications

The Strategic Communications portfolio enables the University of Alberta to deliver on the vision and goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan. We illustrate the value that the U of A provides to our community and to society as a whole. 

In service of the One University strategy, we work with academic and operational leaders to tie their operational and strategic plans into the larger university strategy in a way that moves the dial on important measures of success. As communications experts, we view our communications from end to end throughout the life cycles of our important communities. We integrate the seemingly disparate initiatives into a master narrative that showcases the unique aspects of the University of Alberta. 

Whether we work directly with partners on their initiatives, or support their work through portfolio-initiated projects, we connect the dots from strategies across the institution – especially where they connect to the larger institutional goals – and draw them together into a compelling and consistent narrative of one of the Top 5 universities in Canada

Position Summary

The University of Alberta is looking for a highly experienced professional to join their Strategic Communications leadership team.

The Senior Partner, Communications and Marketing plays a key role as part of the leadership team guiding communication across a large, complex institution serving 46,000+ students and 10,000+ employees. 

As the Senior Partner, you will be asked to bring your communications expertise to strategic conversations with leaders across the university. You will lead complex institutional projects and guide the work of a team of communicators, while also being nimble and hands-on. You will build relationships across the university and collaborate on solutions with your peers in units, faculties, marketing and advancement. You will lead donor and fundraising comms in support of large fundraising campaigns, and have the opportunity to highlight the potential impact of advanced, world-changing research.

And you will work with a leadership team of experienced and collaborative communicators who will celebrate your successes, work together to tackle challenges, and support your career growth. We can’t wait for you to join us!

Duties 

• Developing and managing strong relationships with academic and administrative leaders, portfolio staff and external organizations (locally, provincially, nationally and internationally)
• Setting clear performance expectations for partners, communications associates and team members and developing staff talents and skills.
• Overseeing and integrating all communication within assigned portfolio and ensuring all communications and marketing strategies developed within the portfolio are consistent with the University of Alberta’s one university brand, institutional strategic priorities and integrated marketing and communications strategy
• Working with partners and Centres of Expertise to develop integrated marketing and communications strategies in alignment with the institutional brand and strategic priorities
• Liaising between portfolio leadership and External Relations Centres of Expertise to ensure understanding of and strategic support for initiatives
• Identifying emerging issues and sector trends affecting assigned portfolios and the university as a whole.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related area (a combination of experience and education will also be considered)
• 5 -7 years of progressive leadership, communications and marketing experience
• Supervisory experience, education, and/or training
• Expertise in client management in a complex organization (ability to work with all levels of staff and management)
• Demonstrable experience in achieving strategic outcomes through actionable communications and marketing plans
• Solid understanding of and experience in editorial strategy, internal communication, issues management, media relations, alumni and donor communications, and social media management
• High degree of professionalism, sound judgment, tact and diplomacy
• Strong research, project management, negotiation, and brokering skills
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, networking, and relationship building skills
• Ability to balance competing priorities and meet and manage client expectations
• Solid working knowledge of academic culture and the U of A policies, procedures, and organizational structure
• Experience writing cases of support for fundraising

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with alumni and donor relations preferred
• Knowledge of research security protocols considered an asset
• Experience in issues identification and management preferred
• Knowledge of media relations preferred