Associate Vice-President, Strategic Communications/Chief Communications Officer

University of Saskatchewan (USASK) is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and provides top-tier teaching, research and a strong foundation of general education. We are striving to become one of Canada’s top destinations for post-secondary studies. USask is located in the traditional territories of the Dene Suliné, Cree, Nakota Sioux and Saulteaux people of the Treaty 6 region in southern Saskatchewan. The traditional Cree name of this place is "Misâskwatômina", which means “The fruit of the tree of many branches”. The city of Saskatoon is also home to the Métis Nation.

The Associate Vice-President, Strategic Communications and Chief Communications Officer (AVP/CCO) provides campus-wide leadership and vision to support and advance institutional reputation and strategic institutional objectives. As the university’s chief communications officer, s/he works closely and collaboratively with the President, Vice-President, University Relations (VPUR), senior administration, academic deans, and other leaders to develop and oversee an integrated, strategic, and contemporary institutional communications strategy, S/he will ensure continuity and co-ordination of key messages and communication frameworks to reach the university’s diverse stakeholders. 

The AVP/CCO leads and inspires the university’s communications team; oversees and directs the development of strategic communications, media relations, digital strategy, and integrated marketing activities; provides strategic frameworks and linkages with communications professionals across campus; and ensures the efficient and effective operation of the university’s integrated communications and marketing functions. The AVP/CCO ensures the integrity of the university’s visual identity, brand, and narrative in all of its forms, through all media, with oversight of a wide range of communications, public relations, marketing and digital outreach activities that promote the university, its programs, and its people.

The AVP/CCO is a member of the senior leadership team in University Relations and of the President’s Executive Committee (PEC).  The AVP/CCO ensures continuity and coordination of key strategic messages and approaches to the university’s diverse stakeholders and supports the stewardship of the university’s reputation in the public sphere.  The AVP/COO will lead and develop the central communications team and build dotted-line or joint-reporting working relationships with decentralized staff that support marketing and communications in colleges, schools and other senior administrative portfolios. The AVP/CCO will report in a dual capacity to the Vice President, University Relations (as AVP, Strategic Communications) and to the President and Vice-Chancellor (as CCO).

USask is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion with a strategic focus on Indigenous engagement.  In support of this commitment, the AVP/CCO will provide leadership in ensuring strategies related to communications across campus are reflective of USask’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression, specifically the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and continued decolonization.

As the successful candidate, you will have at minimum, 10 years of relevant experience in public and media relations, public affairs, communications and marketing, or a similar professional field, with a demonstrated record of success. Additonally at least 10 years of demonstrably effective leadership experience in a large, preferably public, institution or organization with an ability to build relationships and make difficult decisions. Finally, familiarity with the post-secondary environment and/or public sector organizations at a decision-making level and experience in policy development and implementation.

To apply for this position, please submit your application and related materials to opportunities@boyden.com.

USask believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. 

Should you need any accommodations for physical or cognitive disabilities during the recruitment process, please notify Boyden and we will be happy to assist.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.


Similar searches: Marketing & Communications