Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

7d • CA$97,348 - CA$124,491 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Toronto has committed to an expansion of experiential learning opportunities for students. Each of U of T’s three campuses are directing significant resources and energy into expanding experiential learning, particularly work integrated learning (WIL) programming such as co-op and internships. These programs allow students to apply their academic learning in a real-world context, build valuable professional networks and skills, and explore career options. Our goal is to ensure our graduates remain amongst the most employable in the world.

Five Co-op Programs at U of T collaborate through a formal and unique partnership called U of T Co-op. These Co-op Programs include: Arts & Science Co-op at the U of T Scarborough campus, Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) at the St. George campus, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Professional Experience Year (PEY) & MEng Co-op program at the St. George campus, Management Co-op at the U of T Scarborough campus, and UTM Coop Internship Program (UTMCIP) at the U of T Mississauga campus.

U of T Co-op optimizes co-op/internship opportunities for University of Toronto students and positions University of Toronto as a top destination for recruiting students. Through the U of T Co-op talent hub and streamlined recruitment process, employers can now access thousands of qualified co-op students year-round from over 100 academic disciplines for a wide range of work term lengths. The U of T Co-op Hub team is a centralized group that supports all Co-op Programs included in the partnership. The team takes on both centralized and centrally-coordinated functions to maximize efficiency and enhance the experience of all stakeholders.

With a tri-campus mandate, the team travels to the three campuses, working collaboratively with partners across the University. While the department is administratively housed at the Scarborough campus, the team supports all co-op programs equally as part of the tri-campus mandate.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Your opportunity:
Reporting to the Director, U of T Co-op, the Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead provides strategic leadership in the design, execution, and evaluation of integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance U of T Co‑op’s institutional objectives. This role helps shape and elevate the reputation of U of T Co‑op within an increasingly competitive co‑op landscape, recognizing that the strength of the U of T Co‑op brand directly contributes to the reputation of the University of Toronto more broadly. The Lead develops integrated, multi‑channel marketing strategies and campaigns that support a diverse portfolio of co‑op and internship programs, ensuring alignment and clear, consistent articulation of the U of T Co-op’s value proposition. With a strong focus on outcomes, this role ensures that the U of T Co‑op voice resonates clearly in the marketplace, positioning U of T Co‑op asa first‑choice hiring partner for employers across the GTA, Canada, and internationally.

The Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead is a connector and strategic integrator, aligning priorities across partnered Co op programs and translating complex, interconnected work into cohesive, high impact strategies that build shared ownership, influence employer hiring decisions, and strengthen long term partnerships.

In addition to external marketing, the Lead oversees internal communications to support alignment, engagement, and change management, ensuring timely, consistent communication of updates, initiatives, and successes that foster transparency, trust, and shared purpose.

The ideal candidate brings a disciplined approach to measuring success, uses insights and data to inform decision‑making, and is energized by continuous improvement. They collaborate across teams to streamline processes where portfolios intersect, bringing clarity to complex work. With the ability to simplify complexityinto clear, actionable plans and communications, they keep others aligned and engaged. Innovative, self‑motivated, and comfortable building new initiatives from the ground up, the Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead plays a pivotal role in consistently strengthening U of T Co‑op’s clarity, credibility, and influence, articulating how U of T Co-op stands out as a benchmark of excellence in the co‑op marketplace.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field, or acceptable combination of training and experience.
• A minimum of five years' recent and relevant experience developing and implementing strategic integrated marketing communications plans and multi-channel tactics.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a record of successfully delivering a wide range of creative, integrated, and cost‑effective marketing communications projects from concept through implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency across all marketing deliverables, with a disciplined approach to execution and quality control.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong command of grammar and style, and the ability to distill complex concepts into clear, consistent, and actionable messages.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing communication campaigns and brand development initiatives.
• Extensive experience using CRM platforms to design, execute, and optimize targeted email marketing campaigns, ensuring flawless execution across audience segments.
• Demonstrated ability to connect insights across diverse initiatives, spotting emerging opportunities and translating interconnected “moving parts” into cohesive marketing, communications, and internal communications strategies.
• Strong understanding of how marketing communications support employer relationship development, from acquisition through ongoing account management and retention.
• Advanced proficiency in creating content for social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn) and web content management systems, with strong experience using analytics tools to evaluate digital performance.
• Brings strong experience in competitive evaluation and market analysis, translating insights into differentiated positioning and responsive marketing strategies.
• Applicants are also expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.
• Brings a solid understanding of AODA standards and inclusive communication principles, integrating accessibility considerations into marketing planning, content development, and execution.
• Creative, innovative, and strategic thinker with strong judgment and conceptual skills; highly self‑motivated, results‑oriented, and able to work both independently and collaboratively to meet tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Canva, Adobe Suite (or other creative content platforms), Premiere and Audition (or other audio and video editing tools).
• Experience working in the post-secondary sector and/or familiarity with co-op or work-integrated learning programs.
• Marketing experience targeting public and private sector markets.

Responsibilities

• Developing a comprehensive and integrated marketing strategy that strengthens U of T Co‑op’s reputation and competitive positioning in the marketplace.
• Developing and implementing marketing plans to promote programs, events and/or initiatives that support strategic objectives
• Planning and overseeing the implementation of an evaluation framework for assigned projects and all marketing campaigns, evaluating and ensuring return on investment
• Implementing a plan to build brand profiles within the marketplace and amongst target groups
• Overseeing the production of promotional and marketing materials that address specific target markets and deliver relevant and timely messages to the appropriate audiences.
• Producing promotional and outreach materials
• Maintaining information on digital platforms
• Drafting and editing content for print and/or online communications channels

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level