Executive
Job Category
Senior Executive
Job Profile
Associate Vice President
Job Title
Associate Vice President, Communications
Department
VP | Executive Leadership | External Relations
Compensation Range
See details below.
Posting End Date
July 9, 2025
Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
The expected pay range for this position is $240,000 - $260,000 annually.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The AVP will be a collaborative and collegial leader and will work with talented team members in helping to shape an integrated marketing communications approach to advance UBC s place on the world stage. The position oversees the development of comprehensive strategic and operational plans that involve a diverse group of key stakeholders inside and outside the campuses and creates a new and innovative style of engagement with the University. A cross-functional emphasis that embraces digital, social media, social marketing, media partnerships, overall strategic communications and related public affairs activities to inspire and rally colleagues and diverse stakeholders.
The AVP will be a highly capable and trusted advisor to the Vice-President, External Relations to whom this position reports. Bringing many years of strategic marketing & communications expertise within a multi-layered, diverse and complex organization, the candidate will be known for their vision, strong leadership in pulling people together to focus on a common objective and creating alignment to the mission of UBC through a shared ownership model. Experience in translating communications and marketing insights and data into successful plans, strategies and tactics in a collaborative manner is mandatory. As the leader of UBC’s central communications team, seasoned leadership, sound judgment, foresight and the highest of professional ethics are required.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Vice President, External Relations. Works closely with the entire Executive Team, senior University Administration and key communications professionals across the University.
Work Performed
Essential Duties
Directs development of UBC’s key messaging with authority to ensure consistency across the University, including all material published across multiple platforms;
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the unit’s work, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with institutional priorities, while effectively managing the team and staff within the unit.
Builds partnerships and collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, particularly the various faculties and departments;
Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with key media throughout the province and Canada as a whole. Takes a proactive, strategic approach to media relations;
Oversees and manages sensitive, complex issues and provides strategic communications counsel to UBC’s leadership and subject matter experts;
Serves as the University spokesperson as appropriate and anticipates and responds to all media inquiries;
Develops and oversees departmental operating plans and budgets;
Monitors best practices and recent developments in industry practices and standards.
Additional duties relating to Strategic and Program Planning:
With the Vice-President, develops the over-arching long-term communications strategy and plan for UBC, ensuring alignment to the mission, vision and values. Collaborates with leadership to ensure the strategy accounts for University priorities, reputation management, internal engagement, student focus and stakeholder needs;
Directs the translation of the long-term communications strategy into strategies and plans for students, faculty, staff, media, public, community, and other stakeholder communication programs in support of University objectives and high profile projects and initiatives;
Leads traditional and social media programs and the development of proactive communications strategies, programs and key message platforms;
Proactively recommends program concepts, tactics and budgets that are balanced against the University s objectives and strategies;
Oversees UBC s internal communications strategy to promote awareness of UBC s vision and values amongst staff;
Works closely with human resources on any major change initiatives and how they are communicated to the UBC team.
Undertakes other executive responsibilities and special assignments as determined by the Vice-President, reflecting the scope and strategic impact of the role.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Every action and decision made could have significant impact on the reputation of the university. Failure to gain the attention and trust of the internal community could have negative reputational implications within the wider community. Makes decisions regarding the highest levels of communications policy development and major communications initiatives for the University. Will be instrumental in establishing the public perception of the University.
Supervision Received
Works with guidance under broad guidelines established through the Vice President’s Office with input from the Executive. Collaborates with senior university leaders.
Supervision Given
Direct reports: Executive Director, Issues Management and Media Relations, Senior Director, Brand & Marketing and Senior Director, Internal Communications.
Minimum Qualifications
University degree in business, communications or a related discipline. Minimum of ten years of leadership experience including 5+ years of strategic marketing and communications expertise.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Proven experience working within internationally competitive environments;
Previous experience in Post-Secondary institutions is an asset;
Strong experience in managing sensitive/complex issues and crisis management including experience in the media spokesperson role;
Extensive experience in developing and implementing integrated strategic communications and marketing campaigns that increase understanding and engagement;
Demonstrated leadership in developing strategies related to brand positioning and brand management with a focus on market research and data;
Experience in people resource management and ability to resolve conflicts;
Advanced level of business acumen to identify risks and leverage opportunities that can be addressed through communication solutions;
Proven abilities in building partnerships and collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and be seen as a trusted advisor to the Vice President, External Relations. Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to identify strategic opportunities and risks;
Demonstrated ability to exercise appropriate confidentiality and manage highly sensitive/confidential information appropriately;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Takes a proactive approach to relationships; adheres to a no surprises approach with key stakeholders and builds on productive working relationships to ensure buy-in on strategies;
A proven leader of people and able to work within a matrixed team environment;
Possesses a track record of supporting and motivating employees by providing a sense of opportunity based on performance and expertise;
Able to interface comfortably with individuals at all levels.
