Student Engagement & Success
Position number: 37997
Date posted: July 2, 2026
Communications and Outreach Manager - Level 7 (EMAPS)
Continuing Full-Time
Work schedule:
35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Salary:
$37.86 to $56.79 per hour ($68,904.16 to $103,356.23 per annum)
Expected Start Date
August 17, 2026
For more information please contact: Dr. Brandy Usick - [email protected]
Communications and Outreach Manager is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of communications and outreach activities in support of the vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities of Student Affairs. The incumbent leads a central Communications and Outreach team and works collaboratively across Student Affairs to promote programs, services, events, and initiatives that enhance the student experience.
The position has a direct reporting relationship to the Executive Director, Student Engagement and Success and works closely with Student Affairs leadership, divisional units to provide communications and outreach leadership in support of divisional priorities, collaborates with campus and student partners, and ensures communications strategies are coordinated, inclusive, accessible, and aligned with institutional standards and brand expectations.
MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:
- An undergraduate degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related discipline is required.
- A graduate degree in communications, marketing, higher education, or a related field is considered an asset.
EXPERIENCE:
- A minimum of ten years’ related experience (five years with a graduate degree) with a demonstrating progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, outreach, or public relations, preferably within a post-secondary or other complex institutional environment is required.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated communications strategies and multi-channel campaigns is required.
- Experience writing, editing, and overseeing content for digital, print, web, and social media platforms is required.
- Experience supervising staff, coordinating workflow, and managing multiple projects and priorities in a high-volume environment is required.
- Experience collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners to support communications, outreach, and event-related initiatives is required.
- Experience using analytics and performance metrics to assess communications effectiveness and inform recommendations is required.
- Experience in event promotion, stakeholder engagement, and budget monitoring is preferred.
- An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent written, editing, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency is required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategic messaging and adapt content for different audiences and platforms is required.
- Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing demands is required.
- Demonstrated creativity, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills are required.
- Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and external partners is required.
- Knowledge of accessibility, inclusive communications practices, and brand stewardship is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with web content management systems, social media platforms, analytics tools, and design or communications software is preferred.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion in a complex environment is required.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.
Coordination, Consultation and Supervision
- Provides strategic leadership and management for the design and delivery of communications and marketing for the VPS office and across the division of Student Affairs.
- Plans, develops, and implements communication and outreach activities that support the strategic priorities of Student Affairs.
- Provides direction, consultation, and assistance across Student Affairs to ensure the unique and distinguishing features of each unit are showcased while maintaining a cohesive messaging strategy.
- Prioritizes requests from units across the division and works with the Communications and Outreach team to review, assign, and monitor projects and tasks.
- Works collaboratively with the Strategic Marketing and Communications Office on projects that are identified as institutional priorities or require institution-wide communication planning.
- Works with faculties, units, and partners to align communication strategies, cross-promote activities, and keep stakeholders informed on Student Affairs initiatives.
- Connects with student groups and campus partners to support collaboration, outreach, and promotion of key initiatives.
- Ensures communication strategies and related tactics are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of an authentic student experience.
- Approves and tracks expenditures and helps ensure communication and event projects remain within budget.
- Supervises staff, including hiring, assigning and coordinating work, training, coaching, performance review, and staff development.
- With the ED SEAS, oversees internal communications and issues/crisis communications for the VPS portfolio, ensuring timely, coordinated and institutionally aligned responses.
- Supports the implementation of new student communication portal.
Communications and Marketing
- Leads the development and implementation of integrated, multi-channel communication strategies that promote Student Affairs programs, services, events, and priorities to students and the broader community.
- Undertakes and oversees content development and editing across a variety of communication platforms, including web, print, digital, and social media.
- Ensures the Communications and Outreach team provides a high level of creativity and innovative design on Student Affairs projects and promotions.
- Ensures Student Affairs uses appropriate communication channels to maximize reach, engagement, and awareness.
- Works collaboratively with relevant institutional partners to determine and coordinate content for student-facing communication channels.
- Develops annual communication and outreach plans that support divisional priorities and ensure consistent, student-centred messaging across Student Affairs.
- Leads the development and delivery of the Student Affairs Annual Report, as well as ongoing updates related to the division’s strategic plan.
Event Planning and Coordination
- Assists with the planning, implementation, and promotion of major Student Affairs events.
- Collaboratively develops and maintains an annual events plan and related communication and marketing strategies for major divisional events.
- Ensures the Communications and Outreach team provides highly organized, professional support for events and outreach activities.
- Coordinates with partners and stakeholders to support effective event promotion and participation.
- Ensures compliance with insurance, legal, health, safety, and accessibility obligations related to events.
Assessment and Analytics
- Develops an overall assessment plan for activities delivered by the Communications and Outreach team.
- Works with units and partners to incorporate assessment into communication and outreach project plans.
- Gathers and monitors metrics across digital platforms and provides analysis for reporting purposes.
- Creates reports and tracks progress against projects to communicate results to leadership, units, and project teams.
- Analyzes data and statistical reports relevant to communication and marketing activities to monitor engagement, reach, effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
Leadership and Professional Responsibilities
- Remains current on emerging trends and technologies related to digital communications, outreach, and post-secondary student engagement.
- Explores opportunities for innovative and effective use of media, platforms, and tools in support of Student Affairs communication goals.
- Provides opportunities for ongoing training and professional development of Communications and Outreach staff to ensure the team remains current in digital communications practice.
- Participates on divisional and institutional committees, working groups, and project teams as required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Weekend and evening work may be required for large events.
The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).
If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.
Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.
