Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing

The Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing is a senior leadership role within the External Relations Department at Vancouver Island University (VIU), placing the Director at the centre of how VIU tells its story, protects its reputation, and connects with the communities we serve.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, External Relations, this position leads VIU's communications function and provides strategic oversight of Marketing, ensuring the two work from one voice. The Director shapes the tone and strategic direction behind how the university speaks to the communities we serve, and ensures everything from a media response to a recruitment campaign reflects that voice consistently.

Duties:
As the university's senior communications specialist, the Director guides external and internal messaging, issues management, and media relations, while also overseeing the marketing strategy and operations that amplify that message and support enrolment, student persistence, and engagement. Their leadership spans institutional brand and prospective student engagement, presidential and executive communications, and reputational risk management.

In the capacity of a media relations expert, the Director plays a pivotal role in advising the President and Senior Management Team on issues management, assessing situations, shaping institutional responses, and formulating the strategic recommendations that guide VIU through moments that matter. As a member of the President's Council, the Director's insight helps shape how the university navigates emerging issues before they reach the public.

This year brings two of the university's most significant leadership transitions, and communications for both will be central to this role: the recruitment and installation of a new President and Vice-Chancellor, and the appointment of a new Chancellor. In collaboration with the AVP External Relations, and University Secretariat, the Director will support the communications planning and execution behind each.

The Director also oversees VIU's brand strategy and marketing operations team, from market research and campaign development to performance measurement, ensuring the university's visual identity and public presence stay aligned with the communications direction the Director sets. Leading a multidisciplinary team across communications, marketing, media relations, and digital engagement, the Director builds a group that works from one strategic narrative rather than two separate functions.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership:  Set the direction for VIU's communications strategy, external and internal messaging, and institutional storytelling, ensuring every channel speaks with one voice and supports the university's Strategic Plan.

Leadership Transition Communications:  Lead communications planning and execution for this year's key leadership transitions, including the recruitment and installation of a new President and Vice-Chancellor, and the appointment of a new Chancellor.

Media Relations and Issues Management:  Serve as VIU's lead on reputational risk, crisis communications planning, and issues management, advising the President, Senior Management Team, and Board.

Presidential and Executive Communications:  Guide the President's and executive team's public communications, positioning their voice and VIU's leadership within the communities we serve.

Marketing Oversight:  Oversee brand strategy and marketing operations, including market research, campaign development, and performance measurement, ensuring they stay in service of the university's communications goals and enrolment targets.

Team Leadership:  Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team across communications, marketing, media relations, and digital engagement, building a high-performing group aligned to institutional priorities.

Cross-Institutional

Collaboration:

Work with academic and administrative units to ensure consistent messaging and integrated planning across the institution.

Budget Management:  Manage the communications and marketing budget, ensuring resources are deployed effectively in support of institutional goals.

Requir…