Associate Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs and Chief Communications Officer

Ottawa, ON
On-site
Posted Oct 16, 2026
1 position

Opens LinkedIn

Experience level: Lead · 10+ years
Minimum education: Professional degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 35 hours per week
Seniority: Executive

Job summary

Lead Carleton University's integrated communications strategy and University Communications department, overseeing institutional communications, marketing, brand, digital channels, public affairs, and operational planning. Advise the President and senior leaders, strengthen institutional reputation and community engagement, and lead coordinated communications on complex issues and crises.

Job details

To display this page you need a browser with JavaScript support. OPEN COMPETITION Please note that the role will be posted until filled. Job Number: J1026-0107 Job Title: Associate Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs and Chief Communications Officer Job Type: Continuing Full Time Department: Communications Job Category: Administrative Management Number of Positions: 1 Salary (with Salary Rate): 0.00 - 0.00/Year Employee Group: Administrative Management Salary Level: Administrative Management Hours Per Week: 35 Date Position Available: 01/01/2027 About Carleton University Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world. Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work. The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020-2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values. Duties And Responsibilities Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the AVP & CCO is the University’s senior communications leader and a trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership team. The AVP & CCO provides strategic leadership for institutional communications, marketing and brand, digital communications, issues and reputation management, and public affairs. They advise senior leaders on a broad range of projects and issues, strengthen Carleton’s reputation and visibility, bring greater coherence to institutional storytelling, and ensure that communications and marketing consistently support the University’s academic mission and strategic priorities. Leading the Department of University Communications and working with communications professionals across the University, the AVP & CCO will foster collaboration, strengthen shared approaches, and build a high-performing, people-centred communications culture. Key Areas Of Responsibility Strategic Leadership and Operational Management: Develop and lead an integrated communications strategy aligned with Carleton’s mission and institutional priorities. Provide overall leadership for the Department of University Communications, ensuring strong planning, effective resource management, and clear accountabilities. Build a collaborative, high-performing, and people-centred culture that supports professional growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Internal Communications and Community Engagement: Strengthen communication and relationships across the University by ensuring students, faculty, and staff receive timely, relevant, and accessible information. Foster transparency, connection, and two-way engagement, and help build shared understanding of institutional priorities across Carleton’s diverse community. Brand and Marketing: Provide strategic leadership for Carleton’s brand, marketing, digital communications, web, social media, and creative services. Ensure a coherent and audience-focused approach that strengthens institutional identity, supports recruitment and engagement priorities, and advances Carleton’s overall reputation. Reputation, Media and Public Affairs: Strengthen Carleton’s reputation and visibility locally, nationally and internationally through compelling institutional storytelling and strategic engagement. Build productive relationships with media and key audiences, elevate Carleton’s academic and research expertise, and position the University effectively within Ottawa’s distinctive public policy, and community landscape. Executive Counsel and Issues Management: Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership team on communications strategy, institutional positioning, and complex or sensitive matters. Anticipate emerging issues, provide sound judgment and strategic counsel, and lead coordinated crisis and issues communications that protect trust and support institutional decision-making. The Ideal Candidate You are an accomplished communications executive who combines strategic thinking with sound judgment, political acuity and a genuine commitment to people. You understand that reputation is built through relationships, trust and authentic communication, and you are comfortable advising senior leaders through both opportunities and challenging moments. You bring broad expertise in strategic communications, issues and reputation management, brand and marketing, digital communications, and community engagement. An excellent communicator and relationship builder, you can create alignment across a complex, decentralized organization. Your leadership style is collaborative, accessible and people-centred. You develop strong teams, encourage creativity and thoughtful innovation, and create an environment in which people feel supported, accountable and connected to a shared purpose. You also demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and Reconciliation, applying these lenses to decision-making and communications. Education And Experience While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates. A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related discipline; an advanced degree or relevant professional designation is an asset. Significant progressive leadership experience in communications, marketing, public affairs, or a related field within a large, complex organization. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated communications strategies and advising senior executives. Strong experience in internal communications, media relations, issues and crisis communications, reputation management, brand and marketing, and digital communications. Proven ability to lead high-performing professional teams and influence effectively across decentralized environments. Experience in higher education, government, the public sector, or another complex mission-driven organization is an asset. Skills And Attributes Strategic thinker with strong operational and political acumen Trustworthy and emotionally intelligent leader with integrity and sound judgment Collaborative leader who builds alignment, trust, and momentum through change Exceptional communicator with strong relationship-building skills and political acuity Inclusive, people-centred leader committed to developing and supporting strong teams HR Note If you are interested in joining Carleton University at this important time should contact Abbey MacLeod at camacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca and Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit a full application package online To apply, please click here. Carleton is committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work. As a source of excellence, cultural enrichment and social strength, Carleton University is strongly committed to diversity and inclusivity within its community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions. Health and Safety Requirements This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume. View Disclaimer You must login first before attempting to apply for any postion. Please confirm that you have updated your candidate profile, if you are a returning applicant. Please note your profile includes important screening information.

What you’ll do

Requirements

A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related discipline is desired; an advanced degree or professional designation is an asset. Candidates should have significant progressive leadership experience, expertise in integrated communications and related disciplines, and a record of advising executives, leading professional teams, and influencing across complex organizations.