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Director, Communications - (3227)

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Job Title

Director, Communications

Job Type

Permanent

Union

Management

Position Classification

MLV3 Management

Salary Grade

FT or PT

Full-time

Hybrid Work

This position is eligible

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

About this Position

About the Department of University Communications

As part of The Office of University Advancement, Marketing and Communications integrates expertise, efforts and experience to help Mount Royal University meet its institutional goals. Marketing and Communications also collaborates with resources on and off campus to provide the best possible support to foster Mount Royal’s reputation and image as a premier Canadian undergraduate institution.

About the Role

Communications at Mount Royal University is about building trust, engaging communities and inspiring people. We’re searching for a confident, collaborative and strategic Director of Communications to join our leadership team. Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, and as part of the Community Engagement division, you'll guide and empower a talented team of communication professionals who help tell the University's story across diverse platforms.

Our brand promise, Grow Beyond, is a bold declaration of who we are and our ambitions for the future. It’s a commitment to supporting students as they push past expectations, faculty as they shape new leaders, and staff as they create a thriving community.

As Director of Communications, you’ll play a crucial role in amplifying this vision internally and externally, ensuring our messages resonate, inspire and build meaningful connections.

Responsibilities:

Team Leadership (30%): Provide strategic oversight and formal leadership to the Communications team, managing all communications platforms including media relations, social media, internal communications, publications, events, and community engagement.
Strategic Collaboration (30%): Work closely with the AVP and Director of Marketing to develop and implement a multi-year, measurable marketing and communications strategy aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan.
Institutional Voice (25%): Act as a key advisor, recommending messaging and positioning to senior leaders on complex campus issues, ensuring alignment with MRU’s strategic priorities and values.
Crisis and Issues Management (15%): Lead crisis communications planning and response, continuously enhancing preparedness, training, and strategic responsiveness across campus.

What we're looking for:

Leadership
You are an insightful leader with an exceptional ability to lead your team through both proactive communications and immediate responses to dynamic and challenging situations. You guide your team with calm, clarity and a deep understanding of the University’s strategic priorities. You are an empathetic leader and set a positive example in all aspects of your role.

Organizational Collaboration
You excel at building strong, trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. You can navigate complex organizational structures with diplomacy, influencing decisions through effective communication and strategic vision. You understand the power of collaboration and how collective effort drives sustainable institutional success.

Exceptional Judgment and Problem-Solving
You possess outstanding judgment and decision-making skills, allowing you to navigate challenges with confidence and composure. Your ability to anticipate issues and proactively manage communications, positions the University positively, even in complex scenarios. You seek diverse perspectives and excel at making decisions and recommendations with all available information.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field; a Master’s degree is considered an asset.
Minimum 10 years of progressive communications experience, demonstrating strategic oversight, crisis management, and team leadership.
Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills.
Proven experience leading communications in complex, multi-stakeholder environments; post-secondary or public sector experience preferred.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities effectively and calmly under pressure.

Salary: $109,020.00 - $129,733.00

Closing Date: April 20, 2025

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify erecruiter@mtroyal.ca and we will work together on your accommodation request.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis. Learn more about MRU's Land Acknowledgement.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.