Communications Specialist

Department: CSAHS-Office of the Dean
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

Temporary full-time from 03/16/2026 to 09/30/2027
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences is a dynamic and diverse college with a long history of commitment to hands‑on learning, socially responsive research, local and global community engagement, and mobilization and exchange of knowledge. The College is one of the University’s founding colleges and traces its roots back to Macdonald Institute, founded in 1903 to educate young women in domestic sciences and thus improve the health and well‑being of families and society.

Today, the College’s vision is to be a leader in world‑class, integrated scholarship that addresses critical, complex issues facing our world.

• Reporting to the Manager of Marketing and Communications, support the Marketing and Communications department’s goals and objectives, which in turn will advance the college’s strategic priorities.
• Develop persuasive communications and marketing messages appropriate and consistent for the various college audiences.
• Act as the internal and digital communicator for the college, illustrating and amplifying the college’s offerings, achievements, and promotions.
• Develop content for the college social media and web page assets, crafting engaging material such as social media posts, news articles, and featured stories.
• Support the development and execution of the creative direction and visual branding strategies for the College.
• Utilize strong storytelling, photography, video, and digital media skills to engage internal and external audiences.
• Provide direction and initiative in the production of print materials, social media campaigns, digital marketing, event marketing, and information visualization.
• Write content for key communications initiatives such as news releases, impact reports, newsletters, video scripts, speaking points, and brochures.
• Assist in the planning, promoting, and executing events including serving as an event day media liaison.

• A minimum of a 2‑year community college diploma in Marketing and Communications or a related field along with two (2) years prior experience in marketing and communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Persuasive communication skills required such as strong presentation and interpersonal skills; ability to solicit support from various internal and external groups for communications and marketing activities; diplomacy and negotiation skills; ability to manage external relationships including suppliers and partners.
• Experience with editing and managing creative design and production processes for development and delivery of print and multi‑media communications.
• Understanding of the use of various media sources including social media, web, digital signage, and traditional print media to communicate.
• Demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication, with experience in researching and writing articles; within a social science, health and wellness context preferred.
• Experience in graphic design software applications, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Acrobat).
• Experience in videography and photography as well as knowledge and experience in video production software applications, including Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro and After Effects.
• Experience in public relations and dealing with the media.
• Familiar with content management software, such as Drupal, as well as social media marketing platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout).
• Knowledge of website development and HTML/Web authoring packages.
• Intermediate level of knowledge in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a high‑paced environment.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of design and marketing trends, best practices, and related software and hardware technologies.

* Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 02/13/2026
Closing Date: 02/20/2026