Director, Strategic Communications

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

OCAD University,Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university,is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of itsAcademic and Strategic Planand guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

The Director, Strategic Communications leads OCAD University's (OCAD U) strategic communications function, developing and delivering integrated communications strategies that strengthen the University's brand, build public understanding and advance institutional priorities. Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, and working closely with the Director, Institutional Communications, the Director leads the University's proactive and strategic executive communications, internal communications, public relations, issues management, storytelling and content strategy. 

The successful candidate is first and foremost an exceptional communications leader. They recognize that communications practice has fundamentally evolved, and understand that communications, marketing and audience strategy are no longer separate disciplines, but complementary tools used to build awareness, trust, engagement and institutional value. They bring an audience-first mindset, balancing strategic insight with creativity, sound judgment and operational excellence. 

The successful candidate understands that the role of communications is no longer simply to inform. It is to influence understanding, earn attention and build long-term institutional value. 

Summary of Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications Leadership 

• Work with the Director, Institutional Communications to lead and develop a high-performing communications team, fostering creativity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.  
• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that enhance OCAD University's reputation, strengthen its brand and advance institutional priorities.  
• Translate institutional priorities into communications strategies that create measurable impact across multiple audiences.  
• Establish priorities, allocate resources and ensure the successful delivery of multiple concurrent initiatives.  
• Measure communications effectiveness and continuously refine strategies using research, audience insights and analytics.  
• Brand, Narrative & Audience Strategy 
• Lead the development and stewardship of OCAD University's narrative, ensuring communications consistently reinforce the University's distinctive brand.  
• Translate complex academic, financial and institutional priorities into clear, compelling and audience-centred stories.  
• Develop communications strategies informed by audience insight, research and analytics, ensuring messages resonate with different target audiences. 
• Ensure every significant communication contributes to strengthening how OCAD University is understood, experienced and valued.  

Integrated Communications 

• Lead the planning and execution of media relations, executive communications, internal communications, issues management and digital content.  
• Develop integrated communications plans that complement institutional marketing strategies and reinforce a consistent institutional voice across earned, owned, shared and paid channels.  
• Identify opportunities to amplify stories, campaigns and institutional priorities through coordinated communications and marketing efforts.  
• Ensure communications are timely, relevant, audience-focused and aligned with institutional objectives.  

Executive Communications & Strategic Counsel 

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the President, Executive Director and senior leadership.  
• Develop speeches, presentations, briefing materials, key messages and executive communications, particularly focusing on change management. 
• Provide strategic counsel on the communications implications of institutional decisions and emerging issues.  
• Support senior leaders in building credibility and influence across higher education, the creative sector and public life.  

Reputation & Issues Management 

• Anticipate reputational opportunities and risks and develop proactive communications strategies.  
• Lead communications planning during complex, high-profile and sensitive issues.  
• Develop messaging frameworks, stakeholder communications and executive briefing materials during periods of organizational change or crisis.  
• Protect and strengthen the University's reputation through thoughtful, timely and audience-centred communications.  

Storytelling & Content Leadership 

• Champion exceptional storytelling that reflects OCAD University's creativity, impact and distinctive character.  
• Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement within the communications team.  
• Identify stories that deepen audience engagement and reinforce institutional priorities.  
• Ensure content is compelling, accessible and optimized for the platforms and audiences it serves. 

Qualifications: 

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline.  
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively senior communications leadership experience. 
• Demonstrated success leading strategic communications within a complex organization – agencies, cultural institutions, government, purpose-driven organizations, media organizations and the private sector who bring a contemporary perspective on communications and audience engagement 
• Exceptional experience in executive communications, media relations, issues management and organizational storytelling.  
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.  
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives and influence organizational decision-making. Experience developing integrated communications strategies informed by audience insight, brand thinking and marketing principles.  
• Demonstrated experience building awareness and engagement through earned, owned, shared and paid communications.  

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies: 

The successful candidate will demonstrate: 

• Exceptional strategic thinking and judgment.  
• Outstanding writing, editing and storytelling abilities.  
• Deep understanding of contemporary communications practice, including the integration of communications, marketing, audience strategy, brand and digital engagement to achieve organizational objectives.  
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling and audience-centred communications.  
• Strong understanding of contemporary media, digital platforms, audience behaviour and content strategy.  
• Political acuity and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments with confidence and diplomacy.  
• Strong leadership, coaching and relationship-building skills.  
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.  
• Exercises excellent judgment in the use of AI as an integral part of professional communications practice, leveraging it to improve research, synthesis, planning, content development and decision-making while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, originality and editorial quality. 
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to deal effectively with a diverse population  

Mode of Work: Hybrid

Compensation: $113,519.00 to $133,527.00 per year - commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of *benefits
*The successful incumbent has the option of pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract with an expected duration of 1 year with possibility of renewal

Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. The review of applications will beginThursday October 22nd and will continue until the position has been filled. 

*Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

  OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCADU’sAccommodation in Employment Policy.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.