Mandate Reporting to the Director, Communications and Public Affairs, this position is responsible for a wide variety of communications, media relations, emergency/crisis communications and issues communications designed to enhance and protect the university’s reputation with key interest-holders, including campus constituents, government and funders.

This position frequently works with highly confidential or sensitive information and related decisions/policy to make a well-informed assessment, provide advice on issues and develop communications and responses. As part of the Public Affairs team, they contribute to the university’s response to issues, crises and emergencies.

Consequences of reputational harm can include decline in enrolment, difficulty recruiting and retaining quality staff and faculty members, loss of revenue from government and private funders, decline in alumni engagement and support, loss of researchers to other institutions, labour action or protests, and less influence overall, including on matters important to the post-secondary sector.

Objectives

- To identify potential issues that may impact the university, its people or operations
- To support the university in addressing urgent, emergent issues as they arise, and participate in emergency operations as and when required
- To develop communications strategies and provide communications advice for issues, crises and emergencies at the university
- To support the team by supporting media relations, social media and other key tactics involved in managing issues, crises and emergencies.

Unusual Working Conditions This work may occur outside of regular business hours (i.e. evenings, weekends or extended weekday hours) during peak periods or when Public Affairs is involved in high-profile,



complex issues communications.

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in communications, writing or a related field plus a minimum of five years’ experience in a communications role. Preference may be given for work experience gained in a post-secondary or similarly complex, large organization. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

- Experience with media relations and managing issues of reputational concern
- Emergency and crisis communications experience
- Experience in creative direction, content development, writing, editing and storytelling
- Leadership in a consultative/advising role within a unit and/or organization
- Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment
- A successful track record of effective strategic communications planning and deployment
- Strategic and critical thinking, robust writing skills, ability to succinctly brief leaders and executives
- Ability to work with wide range of clients and accomplish goals, often under tight timelines
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and navigate complex or sensitive situations effectively.
- Ability to apply project-management best practices to achieve project goals on time
- Ability to collaborate, build and maintain positive relationships with diverse individuals and work effectively in a team environment
- Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, website content management and authoring (preferably in Cascade) is required
- Experience with Hootsuite, Google analytics, digital asset management systems and online project-management systems (e.g. Asana) is preferred

📌 Senior Public Affairs Specialist (Victoria)
🏢 University of Victoria
📍 Victoria