Hiring Range: $134,985 - $179,980
Centennial College recognizes and affirms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing as central to the vibrancy and uniqueness of its learning and working academic mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of Indigenous communities and all equity-deserving groups including Women, Racialized, Persons with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.
We also recognize that Centennial is situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay tribute to their legacy as well as that of all First Peoples that have been and remain present here in Toronto. We recognize that First Peoples come from sovereign Nations and that part of understanding our responsibilities of residing on this territory are understanding the true history, circumstances and legacy of the Treaties signed here (such as the Toronto Purchase, Robinson-Huron Treaty and Williams Treaties) and including pre-contact Treaties and Agreements between sovereign Nations and that all peoples in this area are therefore Treaty people with obligations and responsibilities to all our relations.
Position Summary
The Director of Communications will provide portfolio and departmental leadership working in close partnership with key stakeholders across the college to deliver on an overarching multi-modal communications strategy that truly tells our story. At its core the strategy will build trust, nurture engagement, and inspire belief and support in our mission, vision and priorities.
As a senior leader reporting directly to the Associate Vice President, Business Development and External Relations, the Director of Communications will be accountable for the overall quality and scope of internal communications; public/media relations and accompanying strategies; crisis communications; Board communications; intranet, webpage and digital materials (joint with Marketing); writing; communication modalities; communication accountabilities of senior leadership and public relations and alignment with communication plans and resources across all Divisions.
An innovative and bold thinker, the incumbent will steer strategic focus areas and activities to meet the College’s five-year strategic plan. The incumbent for this role is highly adept at collaboration and building strong partnerships; able to navigate through complexities with agility and speed; leads with an inclusive mindset holding self and others accountable for creating an equitable and inclusive environment; and, builds and promotes an environment that aligns with the institutional culture.
Responsibilities
- Fuels the potent and unique community that is Centennial with an overarching communications strategy that builds trust, encourages engagement and inspires belief and support in the College’s mission, vision and priorities.
- Monitors and holds accountability for the scope of internal communications to ensure information is tailored to various audiences, values based, honest, eco-conscious and reflective of Centennial’s stories, experiences and impact on the communities it serves.
- Leads and oversees public/media relations, crisis communications strategy and related collateral, ensuring College leadership is supported with timely updates, key messages and communications plans for faculty, staff, students, media and other stakeholders.
- Establishes and delivers institutional-level communications priorities connected to the President’s role as leader of the College community, including integrated cross-platform communications that support leadership, organizational identity and cohesion.
- Ensures key leaders are media savvy and prepared to represent the College effectively as their mandates require.
- Reviews and assesses communication paradigms, including intranets, modalities, tools and resources, streamlining where feasible, building skills where necessary and driving self-sufficiency to support expediency and accountability.
- Aligns and integrates divisional initiatives that have institution-wide implications, including alumni communications engagement, employee engagement results, College business planning and other strategic priorities.
- Oversees communications channels, accountabilities, internal communications, Board communications, intranet, webpage and digital materials, writing, graphic design and related communications resources in alignment with Marketing and other divisional partners.
- Provides leadership and mentoring to communications staff responsible for executing strategy across multiple communications channels, including print and digital media, newsletters, publications, brochures, press releases, proposals, video, speeches, donor communications and campaign materials.
- Builds a high-performing communications team as it relates to structure, knowledge, competency, operational processes, creativity and alignment to best meet the needs of the College.
- Provides direction, coaching and performance support to direct reports and ensures departmental resources, priorities and workflows are aligned with institutional strategy and operational needs.
- Actively leads as a Subject Matter Expert on major initiatives, complex, high-visibility process redesign and innovation projects.
- Actively contributes to and leads the Centennial culture of equity, inclusivity and decolonization; participating in agile and collaborative ways of working across the division and college as a whole.
- Balances data analytics and evidence-based practices along with experiential knowledge to inform decisions and guide and direct complex, or unique problems relating to planning, coordinating, and operating within the division.
Qualifications/Experience
- Post-graduate Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or Journalism
- Minimum 11 years of progressive experience in Communications Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism or combination of education and relevant / lived experience.
- Demonstrated respect and experience in leading through the lens of social inclusion, internationalization, decolonization and equitable practices that foster progressive stakeholder discussions and relationships as well as culturally relevant programs and competencies.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills; flawless editing to support clear ideas
- Demonstrated track record of high-profile media relationships
- Demonstrated ability to partner with and effectively influence at all levels.
- Strategic leader with strong interpersonal and communications skills to lead a high-performing team, and to establish and build healthy, respectful working relationships with academics, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders.
- Thorough command of the technology associated with social media and the digital world (from the evolving social web to mobile tools and trends), sophisticated client service and digital communications skills, and high level of energy and passion with respect to this area of rapid change and innovation.
- Agile and emotionally intelligent in approaching challenges within internal and external environments as well as innovative in solutions to leverage opportunities for the benefit of the College.
- Experienced in upholding a culture of accountability, driving institutional effectiveness and evidence-based decision-making.
- Able to analyze complex situations and drive practical and innovative solutions.
- Proven excellent organizational skills in balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.
Apply online: www.centennialcollege.ca/careers
Proof of credentials or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post secondary institutions and/or their foreign equivalents will be required at the time of job offer.
When applying, your cover letter and résumé must include examples that reflect all of the requested skills and qualifications and must be submitted online by July 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Please quote Job ID J0626-1032. Misrepresentation of applicant information will be grounds for your exclusion from the competition or for dismissal should you subsequently be hired for the position. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities regarding all employment activities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
