ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

As part of ongoing efforts to advance institutional priorities and success, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University is undertaking a process to transform how we structure operations and deliver services. The goal is to make better use of our collective expertise and resources, strengthen collaboration across the university and ensure activities are aligned with our core mission and strategic goals and directions.

To this end, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ has initiated a process that will see the development of a Distributed Shared Service Model for the university’s marketing and communications (MarCom) functions. The process underway will shape the effective operationalization of the model and, whatever the final model ultimately looks like, the approach taken will employ a shared governance framework, where:

• some services are strategically located within, coordinated from and/or provided by a department with a university-wide support mandate; and
• others located within academic and administrative units to ensure efficient and effective responsiveness to context while informed by consistent standards and broader institutional directions.

The model will serve to maximize the overall efficiency and effectiveness of MarCom functions, optimize institutional resource allocation for MarCom functions, ensure appropriate balance of support for university-wide and unit needs and priorities, promote collaboration and mutual accountability across units, and enhance the overall quality of services and service delivery.

The MarCom project will be led by Tony Frost, Chief Communications Officer and Associate Vice-President (Communications and Public Affairs), and Duane McNair, Vice-President (People, Finance and Operations). They will work with a cross-campus team that will engage with colleagues across the university, with support from the Office of Quality Initiatives (OQI) and HR. The process will unfold over the coming year, beginning with a discovery phase this Fall to better understand current activities and needs across campus. A recommendations phase will follow in early 2026 with further feedback being sought, followed by phased implementation and review of progress.

Guiding Principles

• Meet enterprise and unit needs and priorities
• Create clarity and consistency in responsibilities and accountabilities
• Attract and retain talent
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Service excellence
• Collaboration and partnership
• Efficiency and optimization
• Transparency
• Manage change effectively

Benefits

1. Focused investment of time and energy on enterprise priorities
2. Improved MarCom strategy and execution
3. Brand alignment and consistency
4. Consistent information and messaging across campus and external constituents
5. Better people and related strategy planning
6. Resource optimization
7. Talent attraction and retention
8. Shared excellence
9. Process improvement
10. Enhanced quality of services and service delivery

Contact

For information on the project, please reach out to Tony Frost at tony.frost@carleton.ca or Duane McNair at duane.mcnair@carleton.ca.