Communications Specialist

Department: Marketing, Communication and Recruitment
Campus:Barrie
Classification:Support Staff
Posting Date:November 5, 2026
Salary Range:PB H: $38.09 (start rate) - $44.04 (4-year rate)
Hours Per Week:35 hours per week
Status: Contract (Appendix D)
Effective Date: December 2026- January 2028

THIS IS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT POSITION FOR A BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEE. Terms and conditions of employment are as outlined in the Support Staff Collective Agreement.

As a communications specialist, the incumbent plans, develops and implements promotional material, publications and communications to promote all programs and services offered by Georgian College to support student enrolment targets, student success, resource development and overall relationship and reputation building.

The incumbent reaches a primary audience of current students, a secondary audience of prospective students (and occasionally a wider audience of internal and external audiences) employing communication vehicles including digital content and channels, print, publications, presentations and others.

Located in Barrie and reporting to the Manager, Communications, your specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Plan and create campaign messaging through emails and email newsletters for current students, and occasionally prospective students and influencers
• Develop segmented communications by target audience
• Help to create unique audience profiles by assessing current data, conducting gap analyses, research and implement best practices on email marketing strategies
• Assist and advise the Registrar’s Office and other areas of the college with communications to current students through web, publications, CRM communications and other channels
• Refine and implement plans for each new academic year
• Populate appropriate elements of student channels such as MyGCLife
• Advise and create content for major campaigns to current students – retention, KPIs, etc.
• Plan, create and execute compelling content for internal and external signage
• Plan, develop, create and implement integrated web content to attract prospective students
• Plan, write, edit, proofread and publish text ensuring the overall consistency of web style, that content is crisp and current, supports/enhances search engine optimization and is engaging to prospective students
• Work with MCR and employees across college to plan and conceptualize themes
• Establish and enforce production schedule
• Obtain and verify accuracy of information from service and academic areas
• Plan and produce communication elements of advertising and promotional campaigns for programs and initiatives on radio, television, newspapers, social media, etc.
• Create and edit compelling copy and calls to action
• Manage all communications elements of marketing support activities
• Work with MCR and employees across college to plan web pages, publications, ad campaigns, CRM campaigns, Open House, and other event promotion
• Create and execute communication plans
• Contribute content to the college’s social media sites
• Work with employees across the college to plan, produce and implement communication elements of brochures, flyers, etc.
• Work with clients to assess goals, determine target audience, determine message and how best to convey it, advise on budget, set timelines.
• Write copy, proofread, edit and fact-check all material
• Coordinate photo and video shoots as required, working with the Visual Media Producer
• Ensure college brand standards are maintained
• Optimize all communication channels – web, social media, etc.
• Contribute to Georgian’s web and print style guides

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successfully complete a three-year post-secondary diploma/degree in Communications, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field
• A minimum of three years’ experience in an environment related to communications, where duties included writing and editing for various forms of media
• Excellent and effective verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information and translate into clear and inspiring communications
• Advanced computer skills and experience in MS Office and content management systems,
• Proven time management skills with the ability to meet competing deadlines
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Highly detail-oriented and accurate
• Highly organized in managing and planning own work, and ensuring others meet deadlines as inputs to the completion of your assignments
• Must have good judgement, discretion and diplomacy
• Ability to travel to other campus locations as required

Georgian College supports diversity, equity and a workplace free from harassment and discrimination and is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free environment. We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to persons of Indigenous ancestry, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are contacted to participate in the interview, please advise the coordinator of any accommodations needed with respect to any materials or processes used to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.

Alternate formats will be provided upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Georgian College has introduced FLEX Work for some positions. This position is currently eligible for Hybrid Work. FLEX Work agreements will be determined between the employee and manager when employment commences and may change in accordance with the FLEX Work guidelines. All employees are required to permanently reside in the province of Ontario.

Applications for this position must be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 13, 2026. While we thank all applicants, only those contacted for an interview will be acknowledged.