Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level C2

Job Title

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Department

Associate Director | News & University Affairs

Compensation Range

$8,305.08 - $12,952.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

June 4, 2026

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

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
Strategizes and executes a wide variety of senior media relations tasks designed to enhance the university's reputation. Works in collaboration with administrators, faculty, staff and students to

communicate UBC’s research, institutional activities, goals and objectives to audiences through local, national and international media. This position has a special responsibility to coach and

support team members as well as to provide issues management support to the Associate Director and Director of News and University Affairs. The position delivers media training for members of the administration and faculty members.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Associate Director, News & University Affairs.

Work Performed

• Develops and implements integrated university-wide communications strategies, plans and projects in support of institutional priorities and strategic initiatives
• Plans and manages media-focused communications projects for academic and administrative units across the university
• Plans and manages portfolio-wide communications projects and integrated communications activities in collaboration with teams across the Communications portfolio
• Developing media and communications strategies to support faculties, departments, faculty members, and senior administrative leaders
• Builds and maintains relationships with university stakeholders, campus communicators, government partners, granting agencies and external organizations to support communications objectives
• Coaching, mentorship and guidance to News and University Affairs team members
• Supporting the Associate Director, News and University Affairs, and Director, News and University Affairs on issues management, special communications projects and other initiatives
• Liaising with faculty, students, campus communicators and other staff, department heads and deans; and administrative leaders to identify and develop story opportunities
• Researches, writes and edits media releases, institutional stories, Q&As, and other materials for UBC News and enterprise channels
• Pitches stories to media and responds to media inquiries by connecting media with subject matter experts
• Writes op-eds in collaboration with senior administrative leaders
• Provides media training and communications support to faculty
• Produces digital and social media content to support media relations and strategic communications objectives
• Works with Associate Director in overseeing maintenance of the UBC Experts Guide and media contacts lists
• Planning, organizing and conducting news conferences and other events as required and in conjunction with senior administration, UBC Government Relations and faculty
• Supports internal communications initiatives and projects, as needed, in collaboration with team members and campus partners
• Supports team and portfolio-wide initiatives and business operational goals, including communities of practice.
• Participate in after-hours media on-call roster

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Senior Media Relations Specialist is expected to function with a high degree of autonomy and independence, working under broad guidelines. The consequence of error in this area could

be very serious for the university as it concerns the public image of UBC on a provincial, national and international level. Incorrect or insufficient information and advice subsequently passed

on to senior administration could have grave consequences.

Supervision Received

Works under broad guidelines established by the Associate Director, News and University Affairs, with no technical guidance and minimal guidance on issues management.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum nine years of experience in media relations, journalism 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

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; translate complex ideas and research findings into plain language; and communicate effectively with the media.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities; keep up with current affairs news and trends; and work effectively with various levels of university personnel.

• Strong familiarity with Canadian Press style; local B.C. and Canadian news outlets and reporters, and international outlets.

• Familiarity with principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and their application in communication activities.

• A background in university or research communications, and familiarity with the academic journal publication process would be an asset.

• Strategic communications and public relations expertise would be an asset.

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.