Description
The XPRIZE Canada Hub under the President's Office invites applications for a Marketing and Communications Specialist, XPRIZE Canada Hub. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 18 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The XPRIZE Canada Hub, based at the University of Calgary, is a national initiative that mobilizes innovators, partners, and communities into XPRIZE competitions addressing the world's most pressing challenges in climate, energy, health, and deep technology. The Marketing & Communications Specialist will build and run the marketing function that raises national awareness of the Hub and XPRIZE competitions, drives participation from Canadian innovators, and produces the storytelling and materials that engage partners, funders and the broader ecosystem.
As Marketing & Communications Specialist you will plan and execute multi-channel campaigns that grow awareness and fill the top of the recruitment funnel, create content that translates technical and scientific work into accessible, compelling narratives that build community, and maintain consistent brand messaging and presence across all Hub touch-points. You will act as a key driver of the Hub's external profile, working closely with Hub leadership, communications partners across the University and XPRIZE, government stakeholders, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
This position operates in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities, tight deadlines, and a high degree of visibility and little tolerance for error. Early morning, evening, and weekend work may be required on occasion for competitions, launches, and community events, as well as some travel. There is some physicality to the position, including event set up, tear down and equipment transportation.
All activities must comply with applicable privacy, accessibility, branding, and institutional requirements. This position is required to maintain complete confidentiality regarding all business matters and to exercise a high degree of professionalism in the execution of their duties.
This position reports to the National Hub Director. Hybrid or remote working arrangements may be considered.
Learn more at: https://io.ucalgary.ca/xprizehub AND https://xprize.ca/
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
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Plan and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns to build national awareness and drive qualified participant interest across active XPRIZE competitions.
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Own top-of-funnel growth activity across social media, email/newsletter, website and targeted digital outreach, tracking performance and refining tactics based on engagement data.
Write and produce content across formats - newsletters, social media, web copy, video and long-form narratives - - that translate the Hub's work into accessible, compelling stories.
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Develop funder- and partner-facing materials, including impact narratives and case studies, that support the Hub's positioning and reporting.
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Maintain brand consistency across all Hub platforms and materials, and own ongoing content updates to the Hub's website.
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Produce presentation decks, one-pagers and event collateral to a consistent visual standard.
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Support event planning and on-the-ground execution for Hub-hosted and partner events.
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Coordinate marketing deliverables tied to sponsorship and partnership agreements, ensuring commitments are fulfilled.
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Represent the Hub's voice consistently across all public-facing touch-points.
Qualifications / Requirements:
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Post-secondary degree in marketing, communications, digital media, business or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered.
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Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in marketing, communications or digital media, ideally spanning both campaign execution and content creation.
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Demonstrated success running metric-driven, multi-channel campaigns (audience growth, engagement, conversion, sign-ups).
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Strong writing skills, with the ability to produce both short-form, benefit-driven copy and long-form storytelling across text and video.
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Strong visual sensibility, with experience creating or directing graphic and digital assets to a defined brand standard.
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Familiarity with website/CMS platforms, email marketing tools, social media management and digital analytics.
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Experience translating technical or scientific concepts into accessible, audience-appropriate language that enhances the value proposition and understanding of the XPRIZE Canada hub.
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Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent priorities on a small, fast-moving team.
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Knowledge of marketing strategy, digital advertising, branding, public relations, audience segmentation, and stakeholder engagement. Experience conducting market research is an asset.
- Bilingual (English/French) preferred.
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Familiarity, or experience, with prize competitions, accelerators, commercialization or venture-support programs, tech startups or innovation ecosystem organizations is an asset.
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Resourceful in adopting new tools and workflows to accelerate output and improve quality comfortable evaluating and integrating technology that reduces production timelines without sacrificing craft.
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Willingness to travel domestically, with occasional international travel, as required.
Application Deadline: September 22, 2026
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications should include a cover letter with their resume.
We welcome links to relevant work samples campaign case studies, published writing, managed social channels, design portfolios, or newsletters in your cover letter or resume. The application platform only allows for 1 file upload; ensure samples are linked and links are active.
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 2.
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 ii' taa'poh'to'p 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.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
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 ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
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.
