Senior Communications Specialist, Velocity

Senior Communications Specialist, Velocity

Senior Communications Specialist, Velocity is a senior role responsible for leading complex or specialized communications initiatives supporting Waterloo’s Velocity incubator. The role applies advanced communications expertise, professional judgment and analytical capability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate communications strategies, messaging and content aligned with institutional priorities. Working within established frameworks and governance, the role independently manages substantive work, provides guidance to colleagues and stakeholders, and contributes to the continuous improvement of communications practices, processes and outcomes.

Within the Velocity portfolio, the role leads complex or specialized communications initiatives that build awareness, engagement and participation across entrepreneurship, innovation and startup programs. The role develops strategic messaging, communications plans and compelling audience-focused content that highlights founders, ventures, student entrepreneurs, innovation initiatives and ecosystem partnerships. Working closely with Velocity leaders, program teams, founders, mentors, industry partners and campus stakeholders, the role provides specialized communications advice and coordinates integrated delivery to strengthen recruitment, participation, community engagement and the visibility of Waterloo’s innovation ecosystem.

Velocity is Waterloo’s flagship entrepreneurship centre and a founder‑first community that helps ambitious people move from idea to early‑stage startup and beyond. Its communications work connects student entrepreneurs, founders, mentors, industry partners, alumni and campus collaborators with the programs, expertise and opportunities that help ideas grow. Working with the Velocity team and partners across Waterloo, the communications team translates the breakthrough ideas and ventures emerging from one of Canada’s most distinctive innovation ecosystems.

The primary focus of the role Working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship and post‑secondary education, the Senior Communications Specialist will lead specialized communications initiatives that build awareness, engagement and participation. You will develop strategic messaging, communications plans and audience‑focused content that highlights founders, ventures, student entrepreneurs, innovation, and ecosystem partnerships. Working closely with Velocity leaders, program teams, founders, mentors, industry partners and campus stakeholders, you will independently manage high‑profile initiatives, provide specialized communications advice and coordinate delivery across multiple contributors and channels.

The role combines advanced professional judgment with the energy of a founder‑first environment — if you're ready to create real impact through storytelling and innovation in strategic communications, amplifying the people and discoveries that are building what's next, this role is for you.

• Leads complex or specialized communications initiatives supporting entrepreneurship programs, innovation initiatives, startup services, events, competitions and community engagement activities.
• Develops strategic messaging, communications plans and compelling content showcasing founders, ventures, student entrepreneurs, innovation success stories, partnerships and ecosystem achievements.
• Provides specialized communications advice to Velocity leaders, program teams, founders and mentors on communications planning, messaging, audience engagement and delivery approaches.
• Coordinates communications across Velocity teams, founders, industry partners, campus stakeholders and central communications colleagues to support integrated delivery and alignment with institutional priorities and communications standards.
• Evaluates audience needs, communications opportunities, ecosystem developments, stakeholder feedback and performance information to strengthen recruitment, participation, community engagement and program visibility.

• Plans, develops and delivers complex or specialized communications…