Communications and Marketing Specialist

True North

As the largest post-secondary institution in northern Alberta, Northwestern Polytechnic is a natural point of convergence for knowledge, skills, creativity, and collaboration. Striving to spark and empower success, NWP’s mission is geared towards both individual and collective progress. NWP offers a wide variety of engaging and in-demand academic programs in certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships and degrees. We exist wholeheartedly for the domestic and international students who call our campuses home, the distinctive communities and industries we serve, and the staff and faculty who honour us with their expertise and insights every day. While our potential as one of Alberta’s newest polytechnics is ever-growing, we recognize the importance of having authentic and highly effective contributors by our side. We are currently recruiting individuals who are inspired by opportunity, driven by results, and aligned to NWP’s core values of being responsive, innovative, and connected.

The Role

Northwestern Polytechnic is seeking a strategic and creative Communications and Marketing Specialist to join our External Relations team. In this highly collaborative role, you'll help shape and amplify the NWP brand by creating thoughtful, visually rich content that celebrates student success, institutional milestones, and community partnerships. With a focus on digital storytelling and cross-platform content planning, this role is ideal for someone who can see both the big picture and the finer details of brand communication.

As a key member of the team, you will plan and produce marketing and communications assets that align with institutional priorities—contributing to social campaigns, internal initiatives, student engagement strategies, and more. Strong photography skills, an eye for design, and an ability to collaborate with creatives and subject matter experts will be essential. You’ll work across departments to identify content opportunities and bring them to life in ways that resonate with diverse audiences—from current students to industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

1. Content Strategy & Campaign Planning

• Support the development and execution of strategic communications plans and campaigns aligned with NWP’s institutional goals.

• Plan and coordinate content that highlights NWP programs, events, student experiences, and key initiatives.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the institution to surface meaningful stories and ensure content reflects audience needs and priorities.

2. Photography & Visual Content Creation

• Capture, edit, and catalogue high-quality photography that supports brand storytelling, social media, student life, and marketing efforts.

• Work closely with graphic designers to integrate images and content into visual assets such as posters, digital screens, brochures, and online materials.

• Contribute to the creation of image libraries, visual campaigns, and branded digital content for cross-platform use.

3. Digital Communications & Social Media

• Develop and schedule content for NWP’s social media in alignment with established strategy and tone.

• Monitor digital engagement, trends, and analytics to inform future content planning and improve performance.

• Maintain a consistent brand voice and visual identity across all communications.

4. Brand Stewardship & Collaborative Execution

• Ensure adherence to NWP’s brand guidelines in all materials and messaging.

• Support internal stakeholders by providing communication tools, guidance, and content support for various initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with departments, students, and external partners to support content development and distribution.

5. Cross-Team Support & Special Projects

• Participate in team meetings, cross-functional planning sessions, and institution-wide events to support communications needs.

• Assist with coordination of photography, creative assets, and promotional materials as needed.

• Provide general support on projects that advance the visibility, engagement, and reputation of NWP.

What We Offer

Finding your fit in one of our specialized schools or departments means a bright future with competitive compensation, attractive benefits packages, reliable networks, high quality of life, and unparalleled learning community experiences. If you are looking to transform the post-secondary landscape with polytechnic education, research, and partnerships, Northwestern Polytechnic is your employer of choice.

The successful candidate will have a diploma or degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field, along with a minimum of two years of relevant experience—ideally in a post-secondary, public sector, or community-focused environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.

To succeed in this role, you bring a unique mix of strategic thinking, creative execution, and relationship-building. Your toolkit includes:

• proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook;
• experience developing and executing content strategies across web, social media, and digital platforms;
• experience creating engaging visual content, including photography and short-form video;
• exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across a variety of channels and audiences;
• strong organizational, project management, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines;
• experience using project management, content scheduling, and analytics tools; knowledge of Notion and Meltwater considered an asset;
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across the organization;
• a collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused approach to work;
• a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and staying current with emerging communications and marketing trends;
• a high level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and attention to detail; and
• working knowledge of Canva and Adobe Creative Suite applications, such as InDesign and Photoshop, is considered an asset.

How to Apply

Only applications received electronically via the Northwestern Polytechnic website will be considered.

We review all applications to select candidates whose qualifications and experience most closely meet our needs.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. For general inquiries, please contact HR at ***email_hidden*** .

Thank you for applying to NWP!