Communications Coordinator

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 2 years
This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.
Internal posting deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Communications Coordinator will play an important role in amplifying FCI’s mission and impact. Working closely with the Communications Officer, you will help tell the stories of our projects, people, and partnerships across FCI channels and events. This role involves creating compelling content, helping to manage FCI’s public presence, and supporting brand-building activities. It’s an opportunity to contribute to real-world change and tell the stories of how cities are being re-imagined and built.

Key Accountabilities

Content Creation and Organizational Storytelling

• Develop, edit, and publish engaging content that highlights FCI’s people, projects, and partnerships. Shape narratives that make complex research accessible and meaningful across channels and platforms.
• Develop, research and write stories, scripts, and key messages for all communication materials in all media formats; print, web, social media, videos and presentations.
• Stay up-to-date on new and developing tools and strategies for effective communication to assess opportunity for expansion of efforts.
• Translate research findings, project milestones, and partner initiatives into clear, people-centred stories that resonate across academic, municipal and industry audiences.
• Source quotes, visuals, and contextual details that strengthen narrative accuracy and credibility.

Digital, Web and Social Media Management

• Create engaging posts, campaigns, and multimedia assets for LinkedIn, Instagram, and other channels. Manage publishing schedules, track performance metrics, and continuously refine approaches to grow reach.
• Organize, write and manage FCI website content targeted to partners, students and the general public.
• Gather, analyze and report on data and analytics for social initiatives. Utilize findings to drive future evidence-based approaches.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date content calendar, daily content creation, curation, monitoring and generation.
• Curate partner content, research updates, and event highlights to strengthen FCI’s digital presence in community, industry and academic networks.

Visual and Multimedia Support

• Design graphics, branding collateral, short videos, decks, and other assets that reflect FCI’s brand. Capture and edit photography from events, workshops and partner events.
• Interview FCI members, partners, industry experts and students to research, develop, write, edit and publish engaging stories for web, print, video, social and other formats.
• Manage work flow and production process. Document tactics and maintain records in FCI’s shared drive.
• Select imagery that reflects FCI’s people-first photography principles, capturing candid, bright and grounded visuals.
• Reports regularly on project status.
• Assist in other written communication for the institute as needed including emails, online articles, meeting recaps, staff communication, etc.
• Edit short-form videos and motion graphics that help audiences understand key stories, partnerships and program priorities.
• Maintain an organized library of approved assets, including photos, icons, templates and graphics, ensuring ease of access for the broader team.

Media & Research Support

• Monitor sector trends, media coverage, and partner updates to identify storytelling opportunities. Provide background research to support content development, media outreach, and thought-leadership initiatives.
• Maintain up-to-date fact accuracy by referencing verified data from official FCI and UWaterloo sources.
• Monitor online activity on relevant external sites to ensure FCI is aware of any conversations that include FCI and our efforts and manage discussion when required.
• Draft initial pitches, quotes or media responses under direction of the Communications Officer, ensuring clarity and alignment with FCI’s tone and brand.

Event Communications

• Support promotion and coverage of FCI events, conferences, and workshops. Contribute to campaign planning, create promotional materials, and provide communications support on-site.
• Represent FCI at internal and external events.
• Capture live content at events to support real-time or same-day storytelling across digital channels.
• ·Coordinate with partners, speakers and faculty to gather material needed for successful event promotion.
• Contribute to the creation of event signage, slides, scripts and documents, ensuring brand consistency and clarity.
• Provide on-site communications support such as photography, interviews or audience engagement tasks.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Digital Media, or a related field. Combination of education and practical experience in communications may be accepted in place of formal degree/diploma.

Experience

• Candidates should have 1-2 years of experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or a related field, including co-op or internship roles. They should be skilled in creating content for social media, newsletters, websites, and familiar with tools such as CMS platforms, Mailchimp, Emplifi.
• Strong organization, initiative, the ability to manage multiple projects, and a collaborative approach are essential, with experience in analytics, design tools, or urban-related topics considered an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences.
• Knowledge of digital communications best practices, including social media, web, and email marketing.
• Proficiency with design and content tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to analyze metrics and apply insights to strengthen and adapt communications strategies over time.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and telling people-centred stories.
• Curiosity about cities, infrastructure, planning and urban challenges is an asset.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.