Reporting to Generator at Sheridan's Manager of Communications and Partnerships, the Research Communications and Events Lead is responsible for developing and executing integrated communications, events, and marketing strategies and initiatives. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, the successful candidate will drive awareness and build Sheridan's reputation and image as a national leader for applied research and hub for creativity to internal and external stakeholders. This includes leading the development and rollout of high-impact communications and marketing materials and messaging across digital and print channels showcasing Sheridan's research, innovation, and entrepreneurship strengths and successes – including articles, media releases, reports, policy briefs, web content, and social media content. The incumbent is also responsible for leading the planning, development, and execution of all event logistics for research-focused events – including showcases, open houses, symposiums, speaker series, community engagement forums, knowledge-sharing sessions, and partner visits.
What You’ll be Doing
- Leading the strategic planning and the development of forward-looking communications and event initiatives that strengthen the visibility and impact of Generator at Sheridan.
- Proactive project planning and delivery, ensuring initiatives are completed on time and within budget.
- Relationship-building both internally and externally, enabling collaboration, information sharing, and alignment across various partners.
- Identifying and monitoring emerging trends, channels, and opportunities in communications and events, and using those insights to inform strategic direction and opportunities for enhanced visibility.
- Creating and maintaining a comprehensive communications strategy, editorial calendar that aligns with Sheridan’s institutional as well as Generator at Sheridan’s mission, vision, and values.
- Developing high-quality, timely content across a wide range of formats — including annual reports, articles, media releases, marketing collateral, newsletters, social media posts, speaking notes, website content, and photo/video/audio content — demonstrating expert-level skills in writing, editing, graphic design, digital marketing, web development, and social media.
- Overseeing and maintaining brand consistency through adherence to established brand guidelines, while also actively managing the organization's social media platforms, website updates, and media relations efforts on both national and global stages.
- Designing and managing a portfolio of events that engage both internal and external stakeholders in support of Generator’s broader goals.
- Leading the planning, coordination, and execution of in-person and virtual events — such as showcases, open houses, symposiums, speaker series, and partner visits — and ensuring strategic alignment with Generator at Sheridan’s objective as well as seamless operations from conception to completion.
- Overseeing event teams, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, managing event budgets and service providers, and ensuring clear communication throughout an event lifecycle.
- Tracking key performance indicators and make data-informed recommendations for continuous improvement and impact.
- Performing other related duties as assigned.
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 excellent interpersonal relationship skills with a track record of building and maintaining working relationships with a range of external partners in industry, community, academic and other public sector organizations.
You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences and communities.
You enjoy balancing many different tasks, staying organized and planning and can integrate multiple streams of information, prioritize and track multiple projects to meet a demanding workload and keep things running smoothly.
You bring proficiency in writing and creating content adaptable to various clients, industries, media platforms and brand communities.
The successful candidate will also meet the following qualifications:
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree + professional designation in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or other relevant field of study (a combination of education and experience may be considered as an equivalency).
- 5 years experience as a senior practitioner / technical advisor / consultant or supervisor (leader) with:
- Proven ability to supervise, manage, and discipline staff.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic and business planning, budget, and policy management.
- Exceptional writing, editing, event planning, and project management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and track record of establishing and maintaining effective, positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to effectively engage, communicate, negotiate with, and influence internal and external partners.
- Excellent networking capabilities.
- Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines simultaneously.
- Proven ability to manage websites, use photo and video editing software, manage social media platforms, and use presentation software.
- Proven ability to analyze complex information and distill technical/scientific information for general audiences.
- Proven ability to exercise confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy for both department planning and labour relations.
- Proven ability to think and act strategically to assess and mitigate risk, and to resolve complex problems.
- Experience of applied research and innovation in the Ontario college environment (preferred).
- Experience of communications and events at a Canadian post-secondary institution (preferred).
Who We Are:
Every member of the Sheridan community is passionate about the transformational role we play in people’s lives. Our strategic plan, Sheridan 2027: Forging the Future (https://www.sheridancollege.ca/sheridan2027), charts a path towards a new ground-breaking model of higher education that reshapes post-secondary education and better prepares students for the future. We are committed to demonstrably advancing equity, diversity, and inclusivity. Diversity is our strength and fuels our commitment to excellence. Across our campuses, we’re making meaningful strides towards developing an equitable and inclusive community.
For more information, visit: Why Work at Sheridan
Other Details
Faculty/Department: Research Office – Generator at Sheridan
Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus).
Work Categorization: Hybrid | Combination of on-site (at least 3 days/week) and remote work
Employee Group: Administrative
Payband: NK
Salary Range: $78,546 - $98,182
Application Deadline: August 7, 2025
Sheridan is deeply committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, Anishinaabe Nation, Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Sheridan is situated on these lands, and it is our collective responsibility to honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here, and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be working on this land.
Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Sheridan will provide job applicants with accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources.
You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire, we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments, if applicable.
