Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead - AA3 (AESES) Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead - AA3 (AESES) Date posted: Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead - AA3 (AESES) Regular Continuing Full-Time (Budget Funded) Full-time: Permanent: Yes 35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) Salary: $31.30 to $44.11 per hour ($56,966.00 to $80,280.20 per annum) Expected Start Date January 4, 2027 Allison Stephen, Director, Office of the VP (Research and International) - allison.IDEA START is UM's unified access hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in all its forms; The Senior Marketing, Communications and Events Lead provides strategic leadership for IDEA START's marketing, communications, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and event initiatives, helping to strengthen its profile within Manitoba and across Canada. The role develops and delivers integrated strategies, compelling content, and high‑impact events that showcase IDEA START's impact, build community partnerships, and position the University of Manitoba as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, requiring strong expertise in marketing, communications, event management, and engagement across Manitoba's innovation ecosystem.

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING: A Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related discipline required. A master's degree is considered an asset. A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing marketing, communications, or event functions.

Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, or strategic communications. Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies. Proven experience leading multi‑channel marketing campaigns and managing content across digital, social media, web, video, and print platforms.

Significant experience planning, promoting, and delivering large‑scale events, conferences, summits, or community engagement initiatives.

Experience managing communications projects, budgets, vendors, agencies, and external service providers. Established knowledge of Manitoba's community, business, innovation, and media environments. Strong digital communications skills, including experience working with content management systems, social media platforms, analytics, and emerging technologies.

Experience working within post‑secondary institutions, innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, research organizations, government, or economic development organizations.

Experience providing strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and executives.

Experience engaging Indigenous communities and Indigenous‑serving organizations. Established relationships with Manitoba media, industry, community, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance organizational objectives is required.

Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, are required. Solid storytelling, editorial, and content strategy expertise, including the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging and accessible communications, is required. Demonstrated ability to build, strengthen, and steward organizational brands through integrated marketing and communications approaches is required.

Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, audience engagement, and emerging communications trends is required. Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and make evidence‑informed recommendations, are required. Ability to develop, manage, and evaluate multi‑channel marketing and communications campaigns is required.

Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously, are required. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and promote large‑scale events, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities is required. Strong relationship‑building, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across organizational and community boundaries, are required.

Ability to provide strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and key stakeholders is required. Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to guide, mentor, and coordinate the work of staff, students, contractors, and external service providers, are required. Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and respectful engagement with diverse communities is required.

Proficiency with communications, marketing, analytics, content management, design, and productivity software relevant to the role is required.

Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and multimedia production tools is an asset. Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for digital communications is an asset. Familiarity with Indigenous engagement principles and culturally responsive communications practices is an asset.

This job needs to be performed in person, and preference will be given to those who can commute for in‑office work every day. Travel within Winnipeg and occasional travel within Canada might be required as part of the work.

Strategic

Marketing & Communications Leadership Develop and lead a comprehensive multi‑year marketing and communications strategy aligned with IDEA START's vision, growth objectives, and strategic priorities. Develop audience segmentation and engagement strategies for students, faculty, researchers, staff, alumni, industry partners, funders, community organizations, Indigenous communities, and government stakeholders. Advise IDEA START leadership on communications strategy, brand positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

Develop annual communications objectives, performance indicators, and reporting frameworks to evaluate effectiveness and return on investment. Serve as the subject matter expert on marketing, communications, branding,



storytelling, and audience engagement. Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to student staff, contractors, and service providers engaged in marketing and communications initiatives.

Lead cross‑functional collaboration with University Marketing & Communications, faculties, departments, industry partners, and community organizations. Develop and manage annual marketing and communications plans aligned to organizational priorities and key performance indicators. Create and oversee integrated content calendars, campaign schedules, and promotional roadmaps supporting IDEA START programs, initiatives, and flagship events.

Coordinate the execution of marketing campaigns across multiple channels and stakeholder groups. Lead planning and implementation meetings with cross‑functional teams to ensure timely delivery of communications initiatives. Monitor campaign performance and continuously refine strategies based on analytics, stakeholder feedback, and market trends.

Analyze website traffic, media coverage, audience engagement, email performance, social media metrics, and event participation data. Prepare executive‑level reports and recommendations for IDEA START leadership.

Content

Strategy, Storytelling & Media Relations Lead the development of high‑quality, audience‑focused content that highlights IDEA START's programs, participants, innovations, ventures, and successes.

Create and oversee content for: Social Media Traditional and Digital Media Website Content Event Communications Short‑form social media content Video scripts and video campaigns Photography and visual storytelling assets Posters, signage, advertisements, and promotional materials Presentation and pitch materials Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, community partners, and sector organizations. Support leadership with key messages, speaking notes, presentations, and communications materials.

Strategic Event

Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement In collaboration with the Program Manager, Director, Administrative Officer, and IDEA START team, lead the marketing and stakeholder engagement planning for flagship IDEA START events such as: Community Engagement Events Coordinate planning timelines, communications, logistics, stakeholder engagement plans, and promotional activities. Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure successful delivery of events. Manage event vendors, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and community partners.

Develop post‑event reports that evaluate participant engagement, media reach, and organizational impact. Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead - AA3 (AESES) Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead - AA3 (AESES) Regular Continuing Full-Time (Budget Funded) Full-time: Permanent: Yes 35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) Salary: $31.30 to $44.11 per hour ($56,966.00 to $80,280.20 per annum) Expected Start Date January 4, 2027 Trial/Probation period: 840 hours worked Allison Stephen, Director, Office of the VP (Research and International) - allison.IDEA START is UM's unified access hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in all its forms; The Senior Marketing, Communications and Events Lead provides strategic leadership for IDEA START's marketing, communications, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and event initiatives, helping to strengthen its profile within Manitoba and across Canada. The role develops and delivers integrated strategies, compelling content, and high‑impact events that showcase IDEA START's impact, build community partnerships, and position the University of Manitoba as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, requiring strong expertise in marketing, communications, event management, and engagement across Manitoba's innovation ecosystem.

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING: A Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related discipline required. A master's degree is considered an asset. A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing marketing, communications, or event functions.

Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, or strategic communications. Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies. Proven experience leading multi‑channel marketing campaigns and managing content across digital, social media, web, video, and print platforms.

Significant experience planning, promoting, and delivering large‑scale events, conferences, summits, or community engagement initiatives.

Experience managing communications projects, budgets, vendors, agencies, and external service providers. Established knowledge of Manitoba's community, business, innovation, and media environments. Strong digital communications skills, including experience working with content management systems, social media platforms, analytics, and emerging technologies.

Experience working within post‑secondary institutions, innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, research organizations, government, or economic development organizations.

Experience providing strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and executives.

Experience engaging Indigenous communities and Indigenous‑serving organizations. Established relationships with Manitoba media, industry, community, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance organizational objectives is required.

Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, are required. Strong storytelling, editorial, and content strategy expertise,



including the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging and accessible communications, is required. Demonstrated ability to build, strengthen, and steward organizational brands through integrated marketing and communications approaches is required.

Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, audience engagement, and emerging communications trends is required. Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and make evidence‑informed recommendations, are required. Ability to develop, manage, and evaluate multi‑channel marketing and communications campaigns is required.

Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously, are required. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and promote large‑scale events, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities is required. Strong relationship‑building, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across organizational and community boundaries, are required.

Ability to provide strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and key stakeholders is required. Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to guide, mentor, and coordinate the work of staff, students, contractors, and external service providers, are required. Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and respectful engagement with diverse communities is required.

Proficiency with communications, marketing, analytics, content management, design, and productivity software relevant to the role is required.

Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and multimedia production tools is an asset. Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for digital communications is an asset. Familiarity with Indigenous engagement principles and culturally responsive communications practices is an asset.

This job needs to be performed in person, and preference will be given to those who can commute for in‑office work every day. Travel within Winnipeg and occasional travel within Canada might be required as part of the work.

Strategic

Marketing & Communications Leadership Develop and lead a comprehensive multi‑year marketing and communications strategy aligned with IDEA START's vision, growth objectives, and strategic priorities. Develop audience segmentation and engagement strategies for students, faculty, researchers, staff, alumni, industry partners, funders, community organizations, Indigenous communities, and government stakeholders. Advise IDEA START leadership on communications strategy, brand positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

Develop annual communications objectives, performance indicators, and reporting frameworks to evaluate effectiveness and return on investment. Serve as the subject matter expert on marketing, communications, branding, storytelling, and audience engagement. Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to student staff, contractors, and service providers engaged in marketing and communications initiatives.

Lead cross‑functional collaboration with University Marketing & Communications, faculties, departments, industry partners, and community organizations.

Marketing Strategy

Implementation & Campaign Management Develop and manage annual marketing and communications plans aligned to organizational priorities and key performance indicators. Create and oversee integrated content calendars, campaign schedules, and promotional roadmaps supporting IDEA START programs, initiatives, and flagship events. Coordinate the execution of marketing campaigns across multiple channels and stakeholder groups.

Lead planning and implementation meetings with cross‑functional teams to ensure timely delivery of communications initiatives. Monitor campaign performance and continuously refine strategies based on analytics, stakeholder feedback, and market trends. Analyze website traffic, media coverage, audience engagement, email performance, social media metrics, and event participation data.

Prepare executive‑level reports and recommendations for IDEA START leadership.

Content

Strategy, Storytelling & Media Relations Lead the development of high‑quality, audience‑focused content that highlights IDEA START's programs, participants, innovations, ventures, and successes.

Create and oversee content for: Social Media Traditional and Digital Media Website Content Event Communications Short‑form social media content Video scripts and video campaigns Photography and visual storytelling assets Posters, signage, advertisements, and promotional materials Presentation and pitch materials Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, community partners, and sector organizations. Support leadership with key messages, speaking notes, presentations, and communications materials.

Strategic Event

Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement In collaboration with the Program Manager, Director, Administrative Officer, and IDEA START team, lead the marketing and stakeholder engagement planning for flagship IDEA START events such as: Community Engagement Events Coordinate planning timelines, communications, logistics, stakeholder engagement plans, and promotional activities. Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure successful delivery of events. Manage event vendors, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and community partners.

Develop post‑event reports that evaluate participant engagement, media reach, and organizational impact. The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba).

📌 Sr. Marketing, Communication, and Events Lead(AESES) (Winnipeg)
🏢 UM Careers
📍 Winnipeg