Description
The Hunter Hub in the President's Office invites applications for a Senior Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 36 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was created in 2017 through a generous gift from the Hunter Family Foundation. As UCalgary's central community hub for entrepreneurial and entrepreneurship, the Hunter Hub's vision is to build the best entrepreneurial talent pipeline in the country by meeting entrepreneurs where they are at in their journey. Located within the President's Office portfolio, the Hunter Hub plays a key role in advancing the University of Calgary's strategic vision to be Canada's most entrepreneurial university.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Specialist Communications leads the development and implementation of an integrated and communications strategy that strengthens the Hunter Hub's profile, deepens engagement with key audiences, and contributes to a strong reputation for entrepreneurial at UCalgary. The Specialist works collaboratively with the communications teams, ecosystem partners, and stakeholders across the university to craft meaningful, audience-driven content and campaigns aligned with the Hunter Hub and university's entrepreneurial priorities.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Strategic Communications Execution
- Lead the development and implementation of integrated communications plans that support key initiatives and events at the Hunter Hub.
- Create engaging, high-quality content for various platforms, including digital campaigns, newsletters, promotional materials, and stakeholder communications.
- Align communication efforts with the university's brand standards, ensuring consistency in voice, tone, and positioning.
- Measure, track, and evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies, adjusting tactics to improve impact and reach.
- Collaborate with University Relations, faculties, and entrepreneurship ecosystem partners to amplify the Hunter Hub's entrepreneurial narrative.
Content Creation & Storytelling
- Lead content strategy, ensuring storytelling supports visibility, fundraising, and thought leadership objectives.
- Produce a wide range of written and visual materials, including brochures, web content, presentations, media releases, and internal communications.
- Write compelling stories that showcase student and alumni entrepreneurs, research success, and entrepreneurial programs.
- Manage social media accounts with a focus on engagement, growth, and staying current on trends to reach diverse audiences.
- Proactively seek out and share research and entrepreneurial stories that demonstrate impact across UCalgary and the broader community.
Event & Campaign Support
- Support Hunter Hub events from end to end, including marketing, speaker support, registration, logistics (e.g. catering, signage), and post-event communications.
- Represent the Hunter Hub professionally at events, introducing speakers, managing media or stakeholder engagement, and capturing content for post-event use.
- Coordinate with campus and community partners to ensure strong participation and strategic alignment.
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and partners.
- Provide strategic communications counsel and support to the Hunter Hub team and other units as needed.
- Act as a collaborative liaison with University Relations and the Office of the President, ensuring alignment in messaging and campaigns.
- Work with vendors, freelancers, and agencies to produce communications materials as needed.
Operational & Strategic Support
- Contribute to the development and delivery of the Hunter Hub's communications objectives aligned with its strategic roadmap.
- Support by providing strategic communications planning insight to meetings, bringing forward new ideas and data-informed insights to improve communications outcomes.
- Support ongoing brand building efforts by identifying new opportunities for engagement and growth, including campaign metrics and performance reporting.
Qualifications / Requirements:
Education & Experience
- Post-secondary degree in communications,, business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in communications, preferably in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Strategic Communication & Content Creation
- Experience in developing and executing integrated communications strategies, including campaigns targeting diverse audiences.
- Strong writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills with experience producing a wide range of content across digital, print, and event platforms.
- Proven ability to distill complex ideas into clear, compelling messages that resonate with internal and external audiences.
Digital & Technical Proficiency
- Solid understanding of digital channels, including social media, web, and email marketing.
- Experience using tools such as Drupal, Marketo, Eventbrite, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), and Google Analytics or equivalents.
Interpersonal & Leadership Skills
- Excellent relationship-building skills with a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset.
- Confident and engaging communicator, comfortable speaking in front of groups and representing the organization publicly.
- Ability to provide strategic counsel, work independently, and support cross-functional teams with professionalism and tact.
Project & Event Management
- Strong organizational skills with experience managing projects, timelines, and vendors.
- Experience supporting or leading event promotion, speaker logistics, and audience engagement strategies
Mindset & Approach
- Curious, adaptable, and energized by working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
- Positive, team-oriented attitude with a drive to contribute meaningfully to organizational goals.
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
