Executive Director, Communications, Marketing + Public Affairs
/Organization:
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Deadline:
Mar. 7, 2025
Organization Description:
Emily Carr University of Art + Design is a school of students, faculty, thinkers and makers unlike any other. Established in 1925, we are the only specialized, accredited, public, post-secondary university in British Columbia solely devoted to education and research in the creative sector and its associated knowledge economy. We merge research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment, strengthening our work by the integration of our personal and professional practices. Our strategy, facilities, partnerships and resources are intentionally student-centred to foster dialogue, expression and open connections in support of the next generation of creative and cultural leaders.
Website:
Job Description:
Permanent Full-Time Excluded Position
8:30am to 4:30pm / Monday to Friday
The Executive Director, Communications, Marketing + Public Affairs is responsible for Emily Carr University’s overall communications strategy, including public relations, internal communications, issues management, strategic marketing, brand and reputation management, government relations and community engagement.
The Executive Director is a key member of the President’s Executive Committee and works closely with the President and senior leadership team to advance the University’s mission in alignment with ECU’s Strategic Plan. The Executive Director leads an accomplished team of professionals to enhance ECU’s national and international reputation and effectively communicate the university’s values, ambitions and successes to internal and external partners.
In this highly collaborative role, the Executive Director leads the development of ECU’s key messages, aligns communications across the university and develops organizational communications capacity. An effective advocate for the institution, the Executive Director is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships both within and outside of the university, fostering connections in media, government, community organizations and the cultural sector.
Benefits of Joining the Emily Carr community:
• Enrollment in a comprehensive benefits package, including Dental Coverage, Extended Health, Disability Coverage and Life Insurance.
• Membership in the College Pension Plan.
• Competitive vacation and Professional Development benefits.
Responsibilities:
1. Leads the strategy and execution for communications, marketing and public affairs initiatives at Emily Carr University. Provides institutional leadership across multiple functional areas including internal communications, public relations, issues management, crisis communications, government relations, brand strategy, reputation management, enrolment marketing and community engagement.
2. Leads the development and execution of the university’s strategic communications plans, in consultation with the President + Vice-Chancellor and the senior leadership team.
3. Provides trusted strategic communications counsel and advice to the President’s Office and senior leadership team. Sits on the President’s Executive Committee.
4. Takes a collaborative approach to integrate and align communications across the university, as well as improving systems, processes and workflows to increase institutional communications capacity.
5. Leads, develops and empowers a Communications + Marketing team of dedicated professionals. Develops and implements the unit’s strategic and operational plans and budgets and collaborates with supervisors on work and project management.
6. Serves as a spokesperson and the primary point person between the university and the media. Leads the development of public announcements, exercises judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepares senior leaders for interviews.
7. Directs crisis communications for the university. Develops and maintains a crisis communication plan to ensure the university is well-positioned to respond to an emerging situation. Partners with internal community members to develop a comprehensive response strategy for emergency events.
8. Builds and maintains strong relationships in the external community, fostering connections within media, government, community organizations, creative industries and the cultural sector. Represents ECU at community events and to appropriate organizations and committees.
9. Develops and directs a government relations strategy for building and strengthening relationships with elected and appointed officials at the federal, provincial and local levels and increasing their understanding of and support for ECU. Serves as a liaison to government officials and their staff.
10. Provides informed advice and resources in support of the government relations agenda. Directs the research and development of materials including talking points, briefing notes, presentations and reports. Plans and oversees campus visits, media conferences and other events hosting government officials.
11. Provides strategic, creative and editorial oversight for the university’s brand identity. Leads the development of resources and tools, including visual and writing style guides, photo libraries, and templates. Maintains the integrity of ECU’s brand and promotes the wide adoption of brand guidelines and inclusive communication practices.
12. Leads the university’s digital communications + marketing strategy and determines the vision and action plan for its web presence, in collaboration with IT Services and other key partners. Directs the development, design and content strategy for the university’s website, social media channels, and email communications.
13. Conducts market research and analysis to help ensure ECU’s communications and marketing programs are based on data-driven decision-making. Sets performance measures and evaluates activities for results and effectiveness, refining strategies and redirecting resources as required.
14. Responsible for fostering a culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and leading related initiatives within the portfolio, and for ensuring communications programs are aligned with ECU’s commitment to indigenization and decolonization. Provides strategic communications support for the university’s EDI action plan.
15. Leads ECU's enrollment marketing strategy, working closely with the Vice-Provost, Students, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Academic Affairs leadership to establish effective marketing plans that strengthen and expand recruiting pipelines domestically and internationally for degree programs. Participates in and contributes to the university’s strategic enrollment management planning process.
16. Works with the Continuing Studies leadership team to develop and direct communications and marketing strategies to build audiences and increase registration for ECU’s non-credit certificates, courses and programs,
17. Works with the University Secretary and other appropriate departments to develop and maintain university policies related to the portfolio, including university communications practices, programs and infrastructure.
18. Partner with the advancement and events team to develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies that strengthen alumni engagement and support fundraising initiatives.
19. Provides regular updates on communication effectiveness and implementation of the strategy to the President + Vice-Chancellor, the senior leadership team, and the Board of Governors as required.
20. Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public administration, journalism or a related field. A master’s degree is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic communications, brand strategy and public affairs, including five years in a leadership role, preferably within a complex, public-sector environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• A track record of success in leading a dynamic communications and marketing portfolio and directing results-driven projects and initiatives.
• Experience with issues management and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated experience researching, developing, implementing, managing and measuring marketing and communications activities and functions.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership to all areas of the portfolio, combined with deeper experience in at least one of the areas.
• Exceptional inclusive people leadership skills. Ability to foster innovation and lead change.
• Ability to develop direct reports and grow a healthy, collaborative, high-performance team.
• A commitment to continuous learning on principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• An understanding of art, design and higher education and the benefits they confer on society.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to write in a clear, concise and inclusive manner.
• Exceptional critical thinking, creative problem-solving, research and organizational skills.
• Ability to foster relationships and work effectively with internal and external partners, including government officials, the media, industry partners and community organizations.
• Ability to embrace new technology and navigate the changing relationship between people and emerging tech.
• Ability to analyze data to evaluate campaigns/initiatives and make informed decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands and expectations from multiple partners.
How to Apply:
To apply for this job, please visit https://ecuad.peopleadmin.ca. Competition closes on Friday, 7 March 2025.
Emily Carr University especially invites those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized. These include women, persons with diverse gender expressions and identities, persons of all sexual orientations, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons. All qualified people are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
Remuneration:
$134,660 to $179,546 per annum
Contact Name: Human Resources
Contact Email: hr@ecuad.ca
Contact Phone: (604) 844-3824
