Director of Marketing and Communications

Description du poste

Do you want to work for a world-renowned research institute that pushes the boundaries of biomedical science and health research? Right here in Montreal! At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), you can be part of an organization focused on scientific discovery and innovation in patient-centered medicine. Join us today and make a difference!

Job Description

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC
Joining The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) as Director, Marketing & Communications is a unique opportunity to shape the voice, visibility and reputation of one of Canada’s leading hospital-based research institutes. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will help bring The Institute’s Vision 2030 to life by highlighting scientific excellence, institutional impact and the people who make it possible.

The RI-MUHC is Quebec’s leading health research centre and among the top three in Canada. Located in Montreal, it is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre, an academic health centre affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University and an establishment of Santé Québec.
The Institute offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment that fosters local and international collaboration and translates discoveries into advances in precision health across the lifespan. Research spans basic biomedical science, patient-oriented and clinical research, health services and systems research, and population and public health. The Institute is funded in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS).

Position summary

The Director is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances the mission, visibility and reputation of The Institute. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight for institutional communications, ensures alignment with The Institute’s priorities and with the broader objectives of the MUHC and McGill University, and clarifies the respective mandates of the Institute’s Communications function and MUHC Communications for external-facing activities.

General Duties

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Strategic Communications Leadership and Institutional Alignment
• Leads a communications team of two professionals.
• Communication Channel Development and Optimization
• Audience Development and Engagement
• Operational Leadership and Team Management

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and continuously refine an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with the Institute’s Vision 2030 strategic plan and consistent with MUHC and McGill priorities.
• Lead high-impact institutional storytelling across the Institute’s research ecosystem, from fundamental science to clinical and health services research.
• Develop and maintain institutional communications policies, standards, and approval workflows to ensure governance, compliance, and quality control.
• Ensure transparent and responsible communications regarding sensitive scientific activities, including research involving animals, in alignment with ethical and regulatory frameworks.
• Oversee the strategic development and optimization of communications channels (website, email marketing, intranet, media relations and social media).
• Plan, coordinate and oversee major institutional events (internationally recognized speakers, including Nobel laureates, and launches of key initiatives
• Partner with People & Culture to align internal and external communications with institutional culture, reinforcing its core values and fostering employee engagement.
• Ensure all communications materials meet high standards of accessibility and comply with the Quebec Access to Information Act and best practices for inclusive digital content, providing equitable access to information in both French and English.
• Oversee the preparation, production and dissemination of The Institute’s Annual Report and other key institutional publications.
• Establish communications KPIs and performance metrics (, audience reach, engagement, web traffic, media coverage, and stakeholder satisfaction).
• Monitor performance, analyze results, and provide regular reporting to inform strategy and demonstrate institutional impact.
• Lead the Communications function, including budget management, staff supervision, and the development of a high-performing and collaborative team.
• Allocate workload effectively to balance strategic initiatives and day-to-day communications demands.
• Maintain a collaborative and service-oriented culture.

Website of the organization

Education / Experience

• Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Communications or a related field; MBA, an advanced degree, or the equivalent in work experience considered an asset.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in marketing and communications.

Required Skills

• Strong expertise in digital communications, analytics, SEO and emerging media best practices.
• Experience participating in senior leadership teams and contributing to institutional strategy, reputation management, and organizational decision-making
• Experience in research, healthcare, academic or related sectors considered a strong asset, with demonstrated ability to understand complex scientific environments.
• Experience managing a small, high-performing team in a fast-paced institutional environment.
• Strategic vision, sound judgment, and a hands-on ability to deliver within a lean team structure.
• Familiarity with advanced digital tools and platforms, and social media management tools is required.
• Full professional proficiency in both French and English, written and spoken, is required.
• An advanced knowledge of oral and written French is required.
• An advanced knowledge of oral and written English is also required due to the drafting and dissemination of bilingual professional communications aimed at internal and external audiences, as well as regular and complex contact with researchers or international students who are exclusively proficient in English.