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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
The Director, Marketing and Communications provides leadership and oversight for the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s (Faculty) integrated communications and marketing portfolio, ensuring coordinated delivery and consistent standards in support of the Faculty’s reputation, engagement, and recruitment priorities.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Development, Alumni and External Relations, the Director leads Faculty communications and marketing across brand management, digital communications, marketing content and materials, internal communications, student recruitment marketing, media relations, issues management, and partner communications, ensuring alignment with University communications direction and UBC priorities. In addition, the Director provides guidance to Faculty leadership on reputational risk, communications priorities, and high-impact communications decisions.

Organizational Status
The Director reports to the Assistant Dean, Development, Alumni and External Relations and works closely with the Dean and the Development, Alumni and External Relations team. This role is a key advisor to the Dean on all matters related to communications, marketing, and branding and its programs. The role collaborates across the Faculty with student services, IT, academic program leadership, Research Forests, Research Centres, and the Haida Gwaii Institute, and maintains working relationships with UBC Communications & Media Relations, Public Affairs, Government Relations, UBCO, University Affairs, and VP Research/International. The position also liaises with partner universities and academic institutions internationally, including partners in Europe and Asia.

Work Performed
Governance, Leadership, and Resource Management

• Establishes and maintains a Faculty-wide communications and marketing governance framework, including review standards, approval pathways, escalation mechanisms, procedures, and organizational structures.

• Sets portfolio priorities, delivery standards and service expectations across Faculty units.

• Manages communications and marketing budget and oversees external vendors, consultants, and service providers as required.

Communication, Media Relations and Crisis Management

• Leads Faculty brand and reputation communications to strengthen awareness of Faculty teaching, research, programs, initiatives, and events, aligned with University brand direction, and establishes consistent positioning, messaging standards, and content expectations across Faculty channels and materials.

• Directs Faculty media relations and high-impact media opportunities in coordination with Faculty leadership and University partners, and oversees communications supporting the Faculty’s international profile and partnership visibility through multi-institution programs and international collaborations.

• Partners with UBC Media Relations and Public Affairs to lead coordinated issues management and crisis communications, including proactive messaging and reporting structures, and provides guidance to Faculty leadership on communications approaches for sensitive, high-impact, or high-risk initiatives.

Recruitment Marketing and Enrollment Outcomes

• Collaborates with Faculty leadership to establish marketing strategy of student acquisition across program portfolios by establishing priorities, target audiences, outcomes and results.

• Oversees recruitment marketing priorities supporting international student audiences and international recruitment markets, including programs delivered in collaboration with partner universities abroad for dual degree and pathway programs in Europe and Asia.

Digital Communications and Channel Oversight

• Leads Faculty internal communications to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging.

• Oversees governance and content standards across Faculty communications channels to support coordinated delivery across Faculty units.

• Provides oversight for Faculty websites and digital communications channels to ensure quality, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with Faculty priorities.

• Establishes standards and service expectations for digital communications and ensures appropriate governance for content review and updates.

• Leads communications approaches for Faculty engagement with internal and external stakeholders in alignment with Faculty priorities and initiatives.

• Oversees communications requirements for external stakeholders, including academic partner institutions, research collaborators, and international program partners, by aligning standards and coordinating delivery.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position requires independent judgment and discretion in managing proactive and reactive communications and marketing priorities. Decisions may significantly impact Faculty reputation, recruitment outcomes, stakeholder confidence, and alignment with institutional standards.

Poor judgment may result in reputational harm, inaccurate communications, ineffective outcomes, inefficient use of resources, or reduced confidence among internal and external audiences. The role requires tact, discretion, and strong judgment to coordinate stakeholder input and ensure high-quality communications outcomes. Errors may also impact public confidence, partner relationships, recruitment outcomes, and the Faculty’s standing within the broader academic and research community.

Supervision Received
Works under broad guidance of the Assistant Dean, Development, Alumni and External Relations, with accountability for Faculty-wide governance, coordinated delivery, and measurable outcomes across the communications and marketing portfolio.

Supervision Given
This position manages several communications and marketing staff as well as external communications service providers.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum seven years of related experience, or communication services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working for a midsize to large, multi-level organization, an asset.

Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to deal effectively with a diversity of people at all levels of the University including senior administration.

Proven experience in a senior marketing leadership role, with a strong track record of driving growth in acquisition, brand awareness, and revenue growth within domestic and international markets.

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, mentor staff, and manage complex marketing projects.

Exceptional analytical and research skills with experience in data-driven decision-making.

Experience managing marketing technology and optimizing marketing automation platforms.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex analyses into actionable insights.

Knowledge of current communications and marketing principles.

Strong time management skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.

Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Experience working with designers and consultants / agencies.

Excellent editing and proofreading skills.

Ability to effectively use word processing at an intermediate level. (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, HTML) with proficiency in markup languages.

Familiarity with online interfaces is preferred.