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

Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario (with some hybrid work)

Carleton University is seeking an accomplished, strategic and people-centred communications leader to serve as its next Associate Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs and Chief Communications Officer (AVP & CCO).

The University

Located in Ottawa on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution dedicated to excellence in scholarship, innovation and societal impact. Home to more than 31,000 students and over 5,400 faculty and staff, Carleton fosters a caring, inclusive and connected community where people are empowered to challenge convention, advance knowledge and create meaningful change. Carleton’s location is integral to its identity and possibilities. Situated beside the Rideau Canal and Rideau River, and minutes from downtown Ottawa, the University is part of one of Canada’s most consequential urban environments: the national capital, a centre for public policy and diplomacy, technology and innovation, national cultural institutions, media, community organizations, and a diverse network of public, private and not-for-profit partners.

Guided by a vision of Inclusive Impact and Prominence, Together, Carleton is committed to being a leader in higher education and a catalyst for positive social, economic and cultural impact. The University strives to create an environment in which all members of its community can thrive, contribute and belong, while advancing research, teaching and engagement that address the complex challenges facing Canada and the world.

Through its commitment to excellence, inclusion and community well-being, Carleton prepares future leaders and innovators while generating lasting benefits for society through discovery, collaboration and service. The University is also entering an important period of institutional evolution. Through the Towards CU@100 strategic visioning process, Carleton is looking ahead to its centenary and considering how to strengthen its reputation, resilience and inclusive impact while supporting the success and well-being of its students, faculty and staff.

The Role

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.

Qualifications 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

Why Join Carleton?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Canada’s leading universities by strengthening how Carleton communicates, connects and builds trust. Carleton offers a supportive, collegial work environment, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to make a lasting, inclusive impact at an institution that values innovation, compassion and community.

To Apply

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. 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.

Support and accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities, upon request. Applicants in need of an accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process can contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or identify their needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.

Vacancy Type: Currently vacant
KBRS does not use artificial intelligence to screen candidate applications.

Candidates interested in this opportunity should contact Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca, or submit a full application package online by clicking Apply Now.