Faculty of Health Sciences | McMaster University

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice-President & Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and dotted line into McMaster Communications, the Director, Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Faculty’s reputation, communications, marketing and engagement priorities. As a trusted advisor to Faculty leadership, the Director develops and leads integrated strategies that strengthen the Faculty’s profile and advance its education, research, healthcare and community impact, while aligning with broader University priorities and brand standards.

As a key member of the Faculty leadership team, the Director provides strategic counsel on reputation management, media relations, public affairs, issues and crisis communications, executive communications, digital strategy and stakeholder engagement. The role leads Faculty-wide communications initiatives, including the Dean’s communications and thought leadership, and builds strong partnerships across FHS, McMaster Communications, affiliated hospitals, government and external organizations to advance shared priorities and strengthen the Faculty’s local, national and international presence.

What You’ll Do

- Provide strategic communications and marketing advice to the Vice-President & Dean and Faculty leadership, identifying opportunities, emerging issues and reputational risks.
- Develop and lead integrated communications, marketing and reputation strategies aligned with Faculty and University priorities.
- Lead media relations, executive communications, social media, digital communications, web governance and content strategy, ensuring effective, accessible and engaging communications.




- Direct issues and crisis communications planning and response, providing sound judgment and strategic guidance on complex and sensitive matters.
- Advance the Faculty’s profile through strategic storytelling, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and recognition of research, educational and faculty excellence.
- Lead communications and marketing initiatives supporting research, education, student recruitment and institutional priorities.
- Provide strategic guidance and build communications capacity across FHS schools, departments, institutes and administrative units, fostering collaboration, alignment and shared best practices.
- Build and sustain partnerships across the University, affiliated hospitals, government, qualified organizations and external stakeholders.
- Establish performance measures and evaluate communications effectiveness, using insights to inform priorities and continuous improvement.
- Lead, mentor and develop communications staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

- An undergraduate degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Public Administration or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Graduate-level education is an asset.




- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, reputation management, public affairs or a related field, including senior leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success advising executive leaders and developing integrated communications and marketing strategies within complex organizations.
- Experience in issues and crisis management, media relations, reputation risk and stakeholder engagement.
- Proven ability to lead teams, influence outcomes, manage competing priorities and build effective partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal and analytical skills, with the judgment and discretion to navigate ambiguity and sensitive issues.
- Experience in post-secondary education, healthcare, research, government or broader public-sector environments is preferred.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape the reputation and strategic voice of one of Canada’s leading health sciences faculties. Working alongside senior academic and administrative leaders and partners across the healthcare and research sectors, you will help advance initiatives that make a meaningful impact on education, research, healthcare and communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in

📌 Director, Communications (Canada)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada