Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35 

Salary will be commensurate with experience. 

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth.  We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Western Communications team provides strategic advice to university senior leadership, faculty, staff and teams of internal and external communications staff across Western in order to build the university’s brand on a local, national and global scale. 

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Communications, the Director, Stakeholder Relations will be responsible for managing the University’s reputational risk through the development and implementation of public communications strategies that include both media and broader stakeholder communications.  As a leader and a mentor, the Director will provide leadership to staff and ensure rapid and strategic responses to issues and/or crises across the University.  The Director will develop and execute proactive communications and community relations strategies that protect the University’s reputation, ensure key University projects can move forward, and strengthen the University’s brand in the process of addressing issues or crises.  The Director will also provide strategic advice and guidance to communications staff and leaders across campus in their dealings with the news media relating to issues management and will work in collaboration to ensure responses align with the University’s strategic vision. The role will have responsibility for ensuring the reputation of the University and its people is protected, and that issues management and related communications processes comply with relevant University guidelines. 

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, Public Affairs or Related Program
• International Association of Business Communicators or Canadian Public Relations Society designations would be an asset

Experience:

• 7 years experience in communications management, with extensive experience in successfully managing complex and highly charged issues on behalf of a publicly visible organization
• Experience advising senior leaders, boards or other related stakeholders on issues management
• 3 years’ experience managing staff and projects
• Experience in a post-secondary environment preferred
• Experience in or strong understanding of journalism/media 
• Experience managing direct relationships with external/community stakeholders is an asset
• Experience in or familiarity with government and/or government relations is an asset

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of communication channels relevant to university stakeholders
• In-depth knowledge of theory and best practices in media relations and public affairs
• Advanced ability to effectively communicate (orally and in writing) and lead discussions
• Ability to establish and build effective working relationships and partnerships with senior leaders, colleagues, and external stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Compelling and persuasive communication skills to engage individuals and teams inside and outside the University and convey strategic messages and respond to issues
• Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex higher education issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media, the public, and prospective donors
• Ability to draw on diversity of skills, backgrounds and knowledge of people to achieve more effective results
• Ability to provide guidance, support and feedback in a way that is positively received
• Leadership skills with the ability to inspire employees and develop a shared vision to lead a team to excellence
• Project management skills to align projects with strategic goals and operational objectives
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite 
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred
   

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

Interested applicants are asked to visit https://recruit.uwo.ca for further information and to apply online referencing job #34471. This posting will remain open untill filled. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.