Communications Specialist II - Institute for Quantum Computing

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

1d•CA$73,695 - CA$92,119•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub. The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a world-leading centre for quantum research. The communications team at IQC translates complex scientific advances into compelling stories for audiences globally. The Marketing and Communications function at the university enhances and protects the university's reputation. The Communications Specialist, Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) role is responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating scientific communications initiatives that support institutional priorities. This role applies communications knowledge and professional judgment to develop, implement, and refine scientific communications activities across content, channels, knowledge mobilization, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The Communications Specialist identifies communication opportunities, develops science and technology news, reports, and digital content, and provides communication leadership for event planning. The role also acts as a resource to the IQC community, equipping researchers with communication skills and providing expert counsel. Additionally, the Specialist solicits, compiles, analyzes, and manages data to demonstrate IQC’s impact and fulfill reporting requirements to funders. The Communications Specialist II - IQC is the storyteller who translates cutting-edge quantum research into compelling, accessible stories for funders, media, researchers, and the public, combining science writing, research impact reporting, and communications planning.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or a related field.
2-4 years of related communications experience.
Experience developing and delivering communications initiatives across multiple channels and formats.
Experience coordinating projects and stakeholders in a complex, multi-functional environment.
Experience producing communications, content and materials for diverse audiences.
Strong knowledge of communications planning, writing, editing, message development, and content creation.
Ability to independently manage assigned communications activities and apply professional judgment within a defined scope.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret information, audience feedback, and communications performance measures to identify opportunities for improvement.
Strong communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strong project planning, coordination, and prioritization skills across multiple initiatives and competing demands.
Ability to identify communications issues, recommend solutions, and adapt approaches as required.
Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality, accuracy, timelines, and service expectations.
Strong understanding of communications standards, accessibility requirements, audience engagement principles, and content development practices.
Proficiency with communications, digital, reporting, and collaboration tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, the public sector, or another complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.

Responsibilities

Perform detailed quantum background research, interview researchers and technical leaders, synthesize findings, and produce science and technology news stories and reports.
Edit, review and amend work in response to researcher and editor feedback.
Support researchers with articulating a vision for new quantum initiatives in terms that inspire others and are responsive to funder requirements.
Demonstrate science writing experience by supporting researchers with articulating quantum initiatives and results.
Solicit, compile, analyze and manage data in support of IQC’s reporting requirements to its funders.
Develop strategies for maximizing the impact of IQC research, and capture and communicate those impacts to the extent possible.
Write media releases, research profiles, op-ed material (for distribution by the UW Media Relations Office).
Plan, coordinate and deliver communications initiatives, projects and activities aligned with operational and strategic priorities.
Translate objectives and requirements into coordinated communications activities, deliverables, and implementation plans.
Independently manage assigned communications work, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, and intended outcomes.
Apply communications knowledge and professional judgment to adapt approaches based on audience, channel and contextual needs.
Support achievement of communications objectives through effective planning, coordination, and execution.
Develop and deliver 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.
Produce and edit communications products including web content, articles, presentations, key messages, briefing materials and digital communications.
Apply editorial judgement to ensure communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive and aligned with institutional standards.
Recommend content approaches and messaging strategies that support audience engagement and communications objectives.
Collaborate with stakeholders, subject-matter experts and communications colleagues to support communications initiatives.
Act as a key point of coordination for assigned projects, aligning inputs, expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
Provide advice and recommendations regarding communications approaches, messaging, audience considerations and implementation requirements within a defined scope.
Build productive working relationships to support effective collaboration and delivery.
Resolve communications-related issues and stakeholder concerns within established frameworks and delegated authority.
Lead the day-to-day delivery of assigned communications initiatives, ensuring activities, deliverables and stakeholder inputs are aligned to achieve intended outcomes.
Collaborate with communications, marketing, creative and digital teams to support integrated communications delivery.
Exercise professional judgment to manage competing priorities, resolve implementation challenges and adapt approaches to changing requirements.
Evaluate communications performance, audience engagement and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, inform recommendations and improve communications effectiveness.
Apply audience insight, performance information and stakeholder feedback to strengthen communications outcomes within assigned areas of responsibility.
Recommend improvements to communications processes, tools, templates and delivery approaches based on audience insight, stakeholder feedback, and emerging practices.
Contribute to the development and adoption of consistent communications practices across the team.
Use stakeholder feedback, audience insight, and performance information to strengthen communications effectiveness.
Maintain awareness of communications trends, technologies, and emerging practices.
Contribute to continuous improvement of communications services and outcomes.