Communications Specialist II

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Job Requisition ID:
2026-03322
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Group:
Staff
Job Category:
Communications
Employment Type:
Permanent
Department:
Advancement and External Relations - Science Communications
Hiring Range:
$73,695.42 - $92,119.28
Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
The internal posting deadline for this position is October 29, 2026 at 11:59PM
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
This job description has been prepared to support implementation and role clarity. It reflects the intended scope of the role at this stage and may be subject to minor adjustments as the work is operationalized, and responsibilities are completed.
University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students (about twice the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden), we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, game-changing research, and technology, and an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle todays and tomorrow’s challenges.
At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university’s reputation. The communications function specifically leads by helping the university communicate with clarity, credibility, and purpose, while developing governance, standards, and protocols to uphold consistent, coordinated, and effective communications across campus.
The Communications Specialist is a role responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating communications initiatives that support institutional priorities. The role applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to develop, implement and refine communications activities across content, channels, campaigns, projects, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Working within established communications strategy, governance and standards, the role ensures communications activities are coordinated, audience-focused and aligned with institutional priorities, messaging frameworks, and business objectives.
Key Accountabilities
Communications Planning and Delivery
Plans, coordinates and delivers communications initiatives, projects and activities aligned with operational and strategic priorities.
Translates objectives and requirements into coordinated communications activities, deliverables, and implementation plans.
Independently manages assigned communications work, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, and intended outcomes.
Applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to adapt approaches based on audience, channel, and contextual needs.
Supports achievement of communications objectives through effective planning, coordination, and execution.
Content Development and Execution
Develops and delivers communications content, messaging, and materials across a variety of channels and formats.
Research, analyze and synthesize information to create clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications.
Produces and edits communications products including web content, articles, presentations, key messages, briefing materials, and digital communications.
Applies editorial judgment to ensure communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with institutional standards.
Recommends content approaches and messaging strategies that support audience engagement and communications objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
Collaborates with stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and communications colleagues to support communications initiatives.
Acts as a key point of coordination for assigned projects, aligning inputs, expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
Provides advice and recommendations regarding communications approaches, messaging, audience considerations, and implementation requirements within a defined scope.
Builds productive working relationships to support effective collaboration and delivery.
Resolves communications-related issues and stakeholder concerns within established frameworks and delegated authority.
Communications Measurement and Effectiveness
Leads the day-to-day delivery of assigned communications initiatives, ensuring activities, deliverables and stakeholder inputs are aligned to achieve intended outcomes.
Collaborates with communications, marketing, creative and digital teams to support integrated communications delivery.
Exercises professional judgment to manage competing priorities, resolve implementation challenges and adapt approaches to changing requirements.
Evaluates communications performance, audience engagement and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, inform recommendations and improve communications effectiveness.
Applies audience insight, performance information, and stakeholder feedback to strengthen communications outcomes within assigned areas of responsibility.
Continuous Improvement and Communications Practices
Recommends improvements to communications processes, tools, templates, and delivery approaches based on audience insight, stakeholder feedback, and emerging practices.
Contributes to the development and adoption of consistent communications practices across the team.
Use stakeholder feedback, audience insight, and performance information to strengthen communications effectiveness.
Maintains awareness of communications trends, technologies, and emerging practices.
Contributes to continuous improvement of communications services and outcomes.
Required Qualificat