Director, Communications and Engagement
Anticipated Start Date: September 21, 2026
Advertised hiring range: $120,000 to $155,000 (annual)
McMaster is a university that makes an impact locally, nationally and globally through its commitment to translating research and learning into action that improves health, strengthens society and prepares the next generation of leaders and citizens. With its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster is ranked among the Top 150 universities in the world and is recognized as a Hamilton ‑ Niagara Top Employer and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.
The Office of the Registrar (RO) provides a number of services to both prospective and current students and is the primary source of information on enrolment, convocation ceremonies and important student dates and events throughout the year. We are a smart, collaborative group of approximately 100, spread across eight departments: Student Services and Financial Support, Undergraduate Recruitment, Undergraduate Admissions, Records, Systems, Scheduling & Examinations, Communications, and Central RO Administration. This supportive and dynamic team works together to provide assistance to students from their first-point-of-contact with McMaster until they graduate .
Summary:
The Director, Communications and Engagement is a key member of the Office of the Registrar’s leadership team, providing strategic direction, leadership, and oversight of the institutional standards of student-centred registrarial communications and engagement at McMaster University. Reporting to the University Registrar, the Director exercises significant independent judgment in shaping how prospective and current students engage with, understand, navigate and act on core student lifecycle processes and engagement platforms and key points in the student journey, in ways that promote clarity, accessibility, and equitable student experience outcomes.
The Director manages an integrated communications and engagement portfolio, providing leadership, coaching, and direction to staff supporting current and prospective student communications. The Director also provides strategic oversight and successful delivery of Convocation, a capstone engagement activity, ensuring an exceptional, inclusive student and guest experience.
Through a collaborative approach across all departments of the Office of the Registrar, Faculties, and central campus units, the Director is accountable for developing and implementing ongoing communications and engagement strategies to support students on their academic journey across the full student lifecycle, from prospective student through to graduation. The role works in close collaboration with central Communications leadership to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and messaging frameworks, and to maintain consistency with university brand standards, contributing to a cohesive and integrated approach to student facing communications.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, creative, and bold communications leader who thrives in complex academic and regulatory environments. They bring deep expertise in developing institution ‑ wide communications and engagement strategies that support equitable access, student success, and institutional reputation. Operating across integrated communications channels, paid media, CRM ‑ enabled engagement, digital platforms, and strategic partnerships, they ensure communications are clear, accessible, timely, and responsive to diverse student needs. They translate complex processes into compelling, student ‑ centred narratives that help students navigate the full lifecycle from recruitment through graduation and bring strong experience leading high ‑ impact institutional events, applying the same standards of clarity, inclusivity, and operational excellence to Convocation as a signature student achievement and capstone engagement activity. They build strong relationships, lead high ‑ performing teams, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Accountabilities:
Strategic Advisory
- Student Communications and Engagement Leadership
Convocation and Events Leadership
Student-Centred, Globally Aware and Equity-Informed Practice
Performance, Evidence and Continuous Improvement
Operational Management
Qualifications:
Education: University Degree in a related field (e.g., communications, marketing, public relations, education, commerce, or a related field) is required.
Completion of a master’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Education, Business Administration, or a related field is an asset.
Experience:
Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or engagement, with deep expertise in message development, institutional communications, and audience-centered communication strategies.
Experience working alongside marketing and brand functions, with an understanding of how communication and engagement collectively support institutional objectives.
At least 7 years leading cross-functional or institution-wide initiatives with demonstrable positive outcomes.
Demonstrated experience in the following:
Establishing and leading institutional communications and engagement frameworks, including message ownership, standards, and decision-making approaches that ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment across a complex organization.
Understanding of university culture, academic priorities, and the role of strategic communications within a complex post ‑ secondary institution.
Developing and implementing enterprise ‑ level communications strategies, including institutional narrative development, brand stewardship, profile-building, and reputation management.
Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and adopting new methods, tools, and approaches to enhance communications effectiveness and engagement.
Designing and delivering student ‑ facing communications, engagement activities and events across multiple channels, platforms, and lifecycle stages.
Leading organizational change, supporting senior leaders, and advising on communications risks, student experience implications, and change management considerations.
Leading high ‑ performing teams, including recruitment, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
Experience guiding the strategic use of digital communications tools, content management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, communication automation, audience segmentation, and lifecycle communication strategies
Knowledge and Skills:
Must possess a strong customer focus with demonstrated success designing communications that support access, equity, comprehension, and informed decision ‑ making. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible, and actionable messaging for diverse audiences. Ensures communications are clear, accessible, timely, and responsive to the needs of diverse student populations across the student lifecycle.
Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the portfolio.
Strong influencing and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships.
Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences up to and including Senior Officers using both written and verbal presentation skills.
Requires strong action orientation, ability to make quick, quality decisions and deliver superior results. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in shaping how prospective and current students’ access, understand, and act on institutional processes.
Broad understanding of information technology fundamentals and innovation including data visualization, artificial intelligence, and other information technology advancements
Demonstrated grasp of evolving communications channels, including digital media, automation, and emerging platforms relevant to student audiences.
Knowledge of communications leading practices, accessibility standards, digital engagement trends, and student lifecycle communications
Proven ability to work in a time sensitive, high volume work environment, demonstrating a strong attention to detail and compliance.
Robust leadership and management skills; demonstrated knowledge and leadership capability including operating strategically and ensuring accountability.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, lead large initiatives, and deliver results with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
Cultivating engagement to drive vision and purpose.
Managing and developing talent; leveraging diversity and strengths
Displaying self-awareness and demonstrating resiliency
Proven track record of managing large projects with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver objectives, with a strong focus on details and deadlines.
Possesses a superior ability to build personal and professional relationships that result in collaborative partnerships and mutually beneficial results.
Utilizes an inclusive, collaborative coach-approach with team members and colleagues.
Is a champion for change, driving collaboration, and helping others link strategy to operations.
Provides senior management with honest, forthright and objective advice in a collegial manner consistent with university culture.
Delivers with leadership that inspires confidence and credibility; continually seeks to understand and act upon internal and external requirements, concerns and priorities; possesses a high level of integrity.
Demonstrates well-developed conceptual, analytical and collaboration skills.
Strong working knowledge of and comfort level using technology.
