Research & Public Engagement Coordinator

Date: Jul 15, 2026

Location: Kitchener, CA

Company: Wilfrid Laurier University

Department: Faculty of Social Work 

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Part Time (>910 hrs/year) 

Campus: Kitchener 

Reports to: Senior Administrative Officer

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

Requisition ID: 11588 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

The Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work (FSW) offers accredited BSW and MSW programs, including an MSW-Indigenous Field of Study, and offers a research-focused PhD program. FSW research is innovative, community-engaged, and focused on advancing wellbeing, social justice, and equity. Faculty and student researchers produce diverse research outputs, including refereed articles, community reports, policy briefs, and creative outputs (e.g., documentaries, videos). There is a strong commitment to contributing to scholarly knowledge and mobilizing research for policy and practice.

Research strengths include:

• Community-engaged research for inclusion
• Indigenous scholarship and decolonizing practices
• Adversity, trauma, wellbeing, and social change
• Gender and intersectionality

The FSW is also home to several research centres, chairs, and collaborative initiatives focused on advancing socially responsive research and practice.

The FSW is seeking a Research & Public Engagement Coordinator to support and advance the FSW’s research profile, community engagement, and public-facing initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) and working closely with the Dean, Dean’s office, leadership team, faculty members, staff, and university partners, the Coordinator will lead the planning and implementation of research dissemination strategies, communications initiatives, and signature FSW events.

A component of this role includes serving as the lead coordinator for the FSW’s 60th Anniversary research-related initiatives and events, including planning, communications, event execution, stakeholder engagement, and overall project coordination. The Coordinator will lead the planning and delivery of the FSW Research Series and other in-person, hybrid, and virtual events that promote faculty scholarship, strengthen community connections, and enhance the FSW’s visibility and reputation.

The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in research knowledge mobilization, event planning, communications, project coordination, social media strategy, and stakeholder engagement, along with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a collaborative academic environment.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Kitchener Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, locations in Kitchener and Milton, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

The Coordinator will work closely with the Dean, SAO, Dean’s office, FSW leadership team, FSW faculty, Laurier teams (e.g. communications, alumni relations), and community partners and external stakeholders to lead the following responsibilities:

Event Planning & Signature Initiatives

• Coordinate and execute the FSW Research Series, including lectures, panels, workshops, and public-facing events offered in-person, virtually, and in hybrid formats.
• Collaborate with faculty members and university partners to develop engaging and inclusive programming that reflects the FSW’s research strengths and community impact.
• Lead the coordination and execution of the FSW’s 60th Anniversary research initiatives and events, including celebratory, community-engaged, alumni, and research-focused programming.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for anniversary-related logistics, communications, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and event implementation.
• Manage all event logistics, including scheduling, registration, venue coordination, catering, accessibility considerations, technical support, travel arrangements, and on-site event coordination.
• Develop promotional materials, communications plans, and audience engagement strategies for faculty events and initiatives.
• Evaluate event outcomes and participant feedback and recommend improvements for future programming and initiatives.
• Support the coordination of additional FSW events and strategic initiatives as required.

Research Dissemination & Knowledge Mobilization

• Develop and implement a research dissemination and communications strategy to increase the visibility and accessibility of faculty research.
• Produce monthly research impact stories highlighting faculty research, scholarship, and community impact, including faculty-community collaborations.
• In collaboration with faculty members, translate academic research into accessible public-facing materials, including factsheets, reports, newsletters, social media content, and digital campaigns.
• Promote dissemination activities across newsletters, websites, partner networks, alumni communications, and community platforms.
• Support the promotion and visibility of faculty-led podcasts, identify future podcast topics and guest opportunities, and coordinate production of podcasts.
• Develop systems, templates, and workflows to support sustainable research dissemination practices and communications strategies.

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Develop and implement a social media strategy focused on promoting faculty research, events, and community engagement.
• Create and manage research-related digital content and communications calendars.
• Monitor engagement metrics and prepare reports on audience reach and impact.
• Support the enhancement and maintenance of the FSW’s research and event-related web presence and digital communications.

Administration & Reporting

• Track project timelines, deliverables, budgets, and expenses in accordance with university processes and funding requirements.
• Prepare, review, and submit financial and administrative documentation, including Chrome River expense claims, RA forms, timesheets, and accounts payable submissions, in accordance with Laurier policies and procedures and as per direction from the Dean’s office.
• Prepare reports, summaries, agendas, and documentation related to research dissemination initiatives and FSW events.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings, including preparing agendas and recording accurate meeting minutes.
• Maintain organized records and administrative systems to support long-term sustainability of communications and event initiatives.
• Coordinate with FSW teams and university offices, including Communications, Alumni Relations, Advancement, Events, and Research Services, as needed.
• Support document preparation, meeting coordination, and administrative logistics related to FSW initiatives and strategic priorities.
• Provide regular progress updates to the Dean and Senior Administrative Officer.

This position has responsibility for other positions, including:

Research Assistants: 3-4 part-time student research assistants will support research dissemination and mobilization efforts and signature events. Supervision will focus on task assignment, development of timelines and workplans, and review and evaluation of work.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Event Management, Public Relations, Social Sciences, Social Work, Knowledge Mobilization, Marketing, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is considered an asset.

Experience

• 2 years demonstrated experience in research dissemination, event planning, project coordination, communications, or public engagement.
• Experience leading large-scale events, public-facing initiatives, conferences, lecture series, anniversaries, or community engagement activities.
• Experience coordinating in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
• Experience developing and implementing social media and digital communication strategies.
• Experience working within academic, research, non-profit, or community-based environments preferred.
• Experience supporting equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, or community-engaged initiatives considered a strong asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex academic research into accessible and engaging content.
• Strong organizational, project management, and event coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of social media platforms, analytics, digital engagement strategies, and event promotion.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital communication and event management tools.

This position is deemed eligible for educational equivalencies.

Hours of Work:  This is a part-time limited term position until April 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.  Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to possible event and weekend events.  When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 21 hours are worked in a week. This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). 

Compensation: 

Level: E

Rate of Pay:  $42.83 to $45.28 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $48.95 per hour.   

 Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job. 

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.

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