Senior Director, News and University Affairs

About the role

The University of British Columbia is seeking an experienced strategic communications leader to serve as Senior Director, News and University Affairs. Reporting to the Associate Vice‑President, Communications, this senior role provides central leadership for media relations, internal communications, issues management, and crisis response.

Key responsibilities

• Advise the President, senior executives and senior administrators on communications strategy, issues management and crisis response.
• Lead the development and implementation of media strategies, emergency communication plans and issue‑management protocols.
• Oversee day‑to‑day media relations, internal announcements and act as the official spokesperson on a wide range of topics.
• Integrate university strategic directions into editorial plans for internal and external channels, coordinating with Government Relations and other portfolio teams.
• Measure the effectiveness of earned media and internal communications, and manage the News and University Affairs team, including recruitment, development and budget.

Required profile

• University degree in communications, marketing, journalism or equivalent experience.
• Over ten years of experience in a large, complex organization, including six years at a strategic level.
• Proven record dealing with media, government and the public, with strong issues‑management capability.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, think independently and anticipate broader implications of events.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrated professionalism at all levels.

Required skills

• Strategic communications planning
• Crisis and emergency communications
• Media relations and spokesperson experience
• Issues management and stakeholder engagement