Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.
Position Summary
Are you a communications and marketing lead who thrives where big-picture vision meets hands-on execution?
We're looking for a Partner, Communications and Marketing to advance the strategic goals of our Colleges, Faculties or Vice-President portfolios. If you love collaborating with senior leaders to solve problems and deliver high-impact marketing and comms strategies, you’ll find a natural fit here.
Who You Are:
A Master Relationship Builder: You know how to balance competing priorities, manage multiple senior stakeholders and keep everyone moving forward.
Detail-Oriented & Organized: You look past basic project management to optimize processes, bringing calm and structure to fast-paced environments.
A Collaborative Problem-Solver: Where others see roadblocks, you see opportunities. You bring the energy and solutions needed to build true team momentum.
The Vice-President - External Relations leads the University of Alberta’s efforts to enhance and protect its reputation locally, nationally, and globally. This role oversees the development and execution of strategic initiatives that shape how internal and external audiences perceive the university.
With a focus on communication, engagement, and relationship-building, the Vice-President provides leadership for Communications and Marketing, Alumni Relations, Advancement, and Government and Community Relations. These teams collaborate to support the university’s brand, foster donor and alumni engagement, and establish strong connections with public and community partners.
Through these coordinated efforts, the Vice-President - External Relations ensures the university’s image, influence, and impact are advanced in alignment with its mission, values, and long-term goals.
- Drive Strategy: Develop and deliver on multi-year, annual and project-specific communications and marketing plans that align with the university's priorities.
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Advise Leaders: Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to university leaders, offering sharp insights and data-backed solutions.
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Deliver Results: Roll up your sleeves to provide hands-on communications and marketing services to your assigned portfolios.
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Collaborate Across Campus: Work with experts across External Relations—including media relations, storytelling, marketing and advancement—to drive unified, powerful results.
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Proven Experience: A bachelor’s degree in a related field alongside 5–7+ years of professional experience, including a track record of leading communications and marketing strategy for a specific client group or functional unit.
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Strategic Execution: The ability to translate big-picture priorities into actionable plans, balance competing projects and manage senior client expectations with ease.
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Comms and Marketing Expertise: A deep understanding of all communication channels and a solid grasp of editorial strategy, media relations, internal comms, issues management and alumni engagement.
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Leadership & Collaboration: Strong project management, negotiation and team-building skills, paired with a natural commitment to consultation and collaboration.
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Institutional Savvy: High professionalism, sharp judgment and a solid understanding of academic culture and university structures.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your cover letter and resume.
This position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $73,388 - $122,307.
The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule F of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
