Senior Director Institutional Communications

Senior Director, Institutional Communications (MR0968)

Post Date: 

August 14th, 2018

McGill University - Human Resources

POSTING FOR MANAGEMENT AND EXCLUDED POSITIONS

Position Title: 

Sr Director Institutional Comm (COM4A)

Position Summary: 

Reporting directly to the Vice-Principal, Communications and External Relations (CER), the Senior Director, Institutional Communications combines the responsibilities of leading media relations, acting as media spokesperson, managing issues and crisis communications, as well as internal communications, ensuring efficient and well-integrated communications functions, and developing and implementing policies and processes in CER and across the University.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Assess and overhaul of CER’s institutional communications policies and related processes;
• Lead the development and implementation of McGill’s Media Relations vision and strategy, acting in both a pro-active and reactive manner in support of the University’s mission, values and goals;
• Lead the development and implementation of McGill’s Internal Communications vision and strategy based on best practices;
• Provide high level strategic advice to senior management on the promotion of McGill’s achievements and societal impacts both internally and externally (at the local, provincial, national and international levels);
• Jointly with UA, VP RI and Faculties, deploy a collaborative, integrated outreach editorial desk for the identification, development, scheduling and dissemination of impactful and strategic news content, internally and externally
• In the face of contentious situations, provide high level strategic advice to senior management on how to preserve McGill’s reputational standing;
• In close collaboration with the VP CER, lead development and implementation of McGill’s Issues/Crisis Communications Management Response Plan;
• Apply best-in-class institutional practices to evolve McGill Media Relations Office as a center of expertise in media relations and external communications, supporting all McGill Faculties and Units;
• Act as McGill’s media spokesperson for major university issues requiring media interaction;
• Build, maintain and leverage a strong network of relationships with both Francophone and Anglophone media in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and the World;
• Assess, define and lead implementation of a University-wide integrated Social Media strategy along with related policies, processes and procedures aligned with best-in-class institutional practices;
• Lead a team of multi-disciplinary professional, management and support staff that can provide ongoing support and coaching to Faculties and Units in media relations, content development, social media, issues and crisis identification and risk mitigation;
• Monitor the internal and external communications landscape and identify issues and opportunities and evaluate their organizational impact;
• Act as key advisor to the V-P CER on sensitive external and internal communications opportunities and issues.

Minimum Education & Experience: 

Undergraduate degree

Eight (8) years' related experience

Other Qualifying Skills And/Or Abilities: 

Ability to manage cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams toward a common set of goals and objectives and to implement effective processes; Strategic and creative thinking in developing communications plans and editorial content and solutions to institutional communications opportunities and challenges; Superior communications skills combined with a thorough understanding of a large university context and ability to communicate effectively and strategically on behalf of senior administration officials; Demonstrated ability to deal with issues and crises with poise and effectiveness; Strong media relations and internal communications experience, ideally in post-secondary or research environments; At ease with new technologies and ability to leverage them to achieve ambitious communications objectives; Strong abilities and experience as a media spokesperson for a large, complex organization in a bilingual context; Established and extended network of contacts in Francophone and Anglophone media, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally (an asset); Superior, collaborative people management skills, team spirit and capacity to inspire staff and succeed in a collegial, diverse and complex environment; Demonstrated ease and efficiency in working with senior executives; Strong political acumen with ability to influence senior stakeholders; Superior French and English language skills spoken, written and read.

Reference Number: 

18-0814/MR0968

Reporting To: 

Vice-Principal, External Relations

Salary Range: 

(Grade 09) $83,900 - $111,900 (midpoint) - $156,700

Faculty/Unit: 

Communications and External Relations

Position Type: 

Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 

33.75

How To Apply: 

Please submit your cover letter and curriculum vitae, clearly indicating the reference number, to Staffing:

Mail

McGill University, Human Resources (Staffing)

688 Sherbrooke Street West, suite 1520

Montreal, Quebec

H3A 3R1

Email

apply.hr@mcgill.ca

The deadline to apply for this position is August 27, 2018 at 5:00 PM.

Current employees: please indicate your McGill ID number in your application.*

We thank all applicants for their interest in McGill University. However, Staffing will only contact applicants selected for an interview.

McGill applicants, covered by the McGill Non-Unionized, Non-Academic Personnel Policies and Procedures, must apply to a regular M and Excluded position within ten (10) working days of the date of publication to maintain internal priority.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, Professor Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies) at angela.campbell@mcgill.ca or 514-398-1660.

Department and University Information

Staffing

Phone: (514) 398-1220
Fax: (514) 398-8287
E-mail

688 Sherbrooke Street West
Suite 1520
Montréal, Québec, Canada
H3A 3R1 | Map

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