Communications Specialist II

This is a 14-month temporary Communications Specialist position in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, focusing on alumni and advancement communications. The role involves planning, developing, and executing communications initiatives to strengthen connections with alumni, donors, and supporters, and to showcase faculty achievements and impact. Applicants require an undergraduate degree in a related field and 2-4 years of communications experience, including content creation and stakeholder coordination.

• Plans, develops and delivers communications supporting faculty priorities, strategic initiatives, academic programs, events, research activities and engagement objectives.
• Develops audience-focused content highlighting faculty achievements, research impact, academic excellence, student experiences, partnerships and community contributions.
• Coordinates faculty communications across multiple channels including web, social media, newsletters, email, publications, presentations and promotional materials.
• Collaborates with faculty leaders, departments, schools, centres, researchers and campus partners to ensure communications are accurate, timely, consistent and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Adapts content, messaging and communications approaches for diverse audiences including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, partners and community stakeholders.
• Evaluates audience engagement, content performance and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities to strengthen faculty communications outcomes and reputation.
• Communications Planning and Delivery
• Plans, coordinates and delivers communications initiatives, projects and activities aligned with operational and strategic priorities.
• Translates objectives and requirements into coordinated communications activities, deliverables and implementation plans.
• Independently manages assigned communications work, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines and intended outcomes.
• Applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to adapt approaches based on audience, channel and contextual needs.
• Supports achievement of communications objectives through effective planning, coordination and execution.
• Content Development and Execution
• Develops and delivers communications content, messaging and materials across a variety of channels and formats.
• Researches, analyzes and synthesizes information to create clear, accurate and audience-appropriate communications.
• Produces and edits communications products including web content, articles, presentations, key messages, briefing materials and digital communications.
• Applies editorial judgment to ensure communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive and aligned with institutional standards.
• Recommends content approaches and messaging strategies that support audience engagement and communications objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
• Collaborates with stakeholders, subject-matter experts and communications colleagues to support communications initiatives.

• Undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or a related field.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• 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.
• 2-4 years of related communications experience.
• Experience developing and delivering communications initiatives across multiple channels and formats.
• Experience coordinating projects and stakeholders in a complex, multi-functional environment.
• Experience producing communications content and materials for diverse audiences.
• Experience in higher education, the public sector or another complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of communications planning, writing, editing, message development and content creation.
• Ability to independently manage assigned communications activities and apply professional judgment within defined scope.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret information, audience feedback, and communications performance measures to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong communication, relationship-management, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Strong project planning, coordination and prioritization skills across multiple initiatives and competing demands.
• Ability to identify communications issues, recommend solutions, and adapt approaches as required.
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality, accuracy, timelines, and service expectations.
• Strong understanding of communications standards, accessibility requirements, audience engagement principles, and content-development practices.
• Proficiency with communications, digital, reporting, and collaboration tools.