Director, Communications

Sheridan College

$128K — $192K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4-year degree in Public Relations, Communications, English, Liberal Arts, Journalism, or related field with certifications in corporate communications or technical writing.
  • 9 years of strategic communications leadership experience, especially in corporate communications.
  • Proven track record of developing and implementing senior-level communication policies and campaign plans.
  • Expertise in media relations with clear ability to enhance visibility with various media outlets.
  • Experience in both proactive and reactive issues management, focusing on reputation building.
  • Strong background in providing strategic communication advice to executive leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement comprehensive communications and reputation management plans for the institution.
  • Lead multi-channel storytelling efforts across social media, earned media, and owned media.
  • Collaborate with other directors to ensure cohesive internal and external communications.
  • Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support organizational objectives.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Brand and Reputation Officer on communications and media relations.
  • Craft effective communication strategies to navigate funding changes in the education sector.
  • Manage and execute internal communication strategies that drive organizational culture change.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model requiring on-site presence at least 3 days/week.
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
  • Opportunity to engage directly with executive leadership and contribute to strategic initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Title:

Director, Communications

Location:

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Application Deadline:

August 23, 2026

Job Number:

J0726-1053

Pay Range:

$128,624 - $192,935

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Reporting to the Chief Brand and Reputation Officer (CBRO), the Director of Communications is responsible for providing professional, confidential and expert advice regarding communication policy, planning and strategic positioning of the College to advance Sheridan's profile and image and sustain its reputation for excellence.

What You'll Be Doing

The Director develops and implements with their team a comprehensive and strategic communications and reputation management plan for Sheridan to build Sheridan's reputation, brand and culture through multi-channel and cross-functional storytelling internally and externally. for social media, earned media, issues management, owned media (institutional blog and intranet), institutional events, internal communications for employees, employee experts and ambassadors, and executive communications.

This position works consistently and collaboratively with other Directors in the Communications, Public Affairs, and Marketing (CPAM) division to ensure cross-functional communications in promoting Sheridan's story, reputation, differentiators and value proposition to its many target audiences. The Director develops strong and collaborative relationships with, and provides support for, internal and external constituencies to support pan-institutional initiatives and fulfil the mandate and business objectives of the CPAM division, in alignment with Sheridan's strategic plan and corporate initiatives. The Director works closely with the CBRO to be a trusted advisor in communications, issues management, media relations and reputation building to the executive and leadership teams.

Effective communication strategy development, planning and implementation is essential as Sheridan continues to forge a leadership position in Canadian post-secondary education. With the decline in government funding and an increasing emphasis on performance-based government support, the provision of proactive, timely, accurate and astute information, and the ability to distinguish and differentiate Sheridan, is critical to creating the success conditions that attract students, employees, donors, and industry partners.

About You
You have the skills and knowledge to work with an increasingly diverse student and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion.

You bring strategic and innovative communications leadership experience and proven expertise in all areas of corporate communications, issues management, media relations and reputation building.

You have demonstrated success achieving results in a complex, often ambiguous or reactionary environment.
You bring extensive knowledge of communications theory along with proven ability to fuel organizational culture change through internal communications.

You have demonstrated ability to write effectively on a wide array of subjects, in a wide variety of writing styles, for a wide variety of media and audience types.

You are a self-directed natural leader and have a highly collaborative spirit which allow you to cultivate a high performing team.

The successful candidate will also meet the following qualifications:
  • 4-year degree in Public Relations, Communications, English, Liberal Arts, Journalism or a related field including completed course work and/or certifications in corporate communications or technical writing.
  • 9 years strategic and innovative communications leadership experience and proven expertise in all areas of corporate communications (equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered).
  • Strategic skills demonstrated through the development and implementation of senior level policies and communication campaign plans.
  • Experience in media relations, including the ability to gain visibility and prominence with local, national and international media, manage issues, and serve as an institutional spokesperson.
  • Experience in strategic approach to building reputation and managing issues both proactively and reactively.
  • Experience working closely with executive leadership teams offering strategic communication advice.

Other Details
Department: Communication, Public Affairs & Marketing
Primary Work / Campus Location: Trafalgar (May be assigned activity at any Sheridan campus)
Work Categorization: Hybrid Position - On-site at least 3 days/week
Reference #: J0726-1053
Employee Group: Administrative
Payband: NO
Salary Range: $128,624 - $160,779.05
Type of Vacancy: Replacement position
Application Deadline: August 23, 2026
Application Details: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

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