International Engagement Specialist

Universities Canada (UC) is the voice of Canadian universities, at home and abroad. We are a membership organization providing university presidents with a unified voice for higher education, research and innovation. Universities Canada advances the mission of our member institutions to transform lives, strengthen communities and find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our world.

As one of Canada’s premier advocacy organizations, we are seeking an accomplished results-oriented International Engagement Specialist.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, International Relations and Engagement, the International Engagement Specialist leads end-to-end project delivery, overseeing logistics, budgets, vendor management, and operational coordination with universities, diplomatic missions, host organizations, and service providers. The role ensures operational excellence, protocol compliance, and high quality participant experiences aligned with Universities Canada’s strategic objectives and member value proposition. The role works closely with senior leaders at member institutions and supports the implementation of Universities Canada’s international engagement framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end planning and delivery of international missions, inbound delegations, and global sector events in priority regions.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including budgets, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage procurement, vendor negotiations, contracts, and service delivery across venues, travel, accommodation, AV, interpretation, and related services.
• Ensure operational excellence, fiscal accountability, and compliance with funding agreements and internal policies.
• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for participating universities, global partners, host organizations, and service providers.
• Coordinate closely with embassies, high commissions, and diplomatic missions on logistics, protocol, and bilateral engagements.
• Support senior leadership with international protocol, including VIP engagement, cultural considerations, and diplomatic standards.
• Oversee participant registration, travel logistics, accommodation, and on‑site/virtual coordination to ensure seamless, high‑quality experiences.
• Prepare detailed programs, agendas, briefing materials, and participant toolkits (digital and print).
• Collaborate with communications colleagues on event branding, promotional materials, and participant communications.
• Lead technical planning calls and event walk‑throughs with internal teams, members, and external speakers.
• Design and analyze post‑event evaluations to measure impact, satisfaction, and outcomes.
• Document insights, lessons learned, and recommendations to strengthen future engagements.

Key requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in event management, international business, internal relations, or a related field;
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation is an asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience planning and managing complex international events, missions or similar initiatives with international components and high-profile stakeholders.
• Experience working with higher education institutions, diplomatic missions, government or other high-profile stakeholders.
• Experience in vendor, contract and budget management.
• Knowledge of international protocol, cross-cultural engagement, VIP protocol, government relations etiquette and industry best practices.
• Prior experience in a membership organization is an asset.
• Knowledge of international post-secondary education sector an asset.

Abilities:

• Advanced project and event management skills with ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship building skills and client-service orientation.
• Problem-solving skills and adaptability in complex, international contexts.
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills in both official languages.
• Good judgment, tact, diplomacy and initiative.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Ability to lift, carrying or move objects up to 25lbs.

The position is based in Ottawa. Universities Canada has adopted a hybrid work model where employees are expected to work in the office a minimum of two days a week.

The hiring range for this position is from $78,807 to $90,000; with the ability to progress to a maximum of $108,361. To ensure fair and equitable pay at Universities Canada, placement on the salary range will be based on years of experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the position. Candidates who do not meet all of the position requirements may be considered in an underfill capacity, in which case the candidate would be hired at a lower level than the position level.
Universities Canada is a National Capital Region Top Employer. We offer a comprehensive benefit package which includes four weeks of vacation, an attractive pension plan, group insurance, free gym membership and scholarships for children of our employees.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their curriculum vitae and a cover letter to the human resources service, Universities Canada, via email at [email protected] by May 8, 2026.