Communications and Engagement Strategist

le contenu du travail

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level BJob TitleCommunications and Engagement StrategistDepartmentUBCO | Communications | Dean’s Office | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social SciencesCompensation Range$5,906.25 - $8,508.42 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateSeptember 10, 2021

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary

This position works with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science units to develop and execute strategies and tactics for communications with current students and other key audiences. This position participates in the development of an integrated and coordinated approach to student communications to build engagement and support units in delivering an exceptional student experience at UBC Okanagan.

This position plans and implements communications and marketing strategies to provide information to prospective and current students, faculty, staff, and other groups in the community; enhance the image and reputation of the university; and reflect the mandate and strategic goals of the institution. This position also contributes to the development of communications best practices for FASS and FoS and ensures all communications activities and materials comply with UBC standards.

As a member of the student communications team, this position collaborates closely with other communicators, designers, IT staff, and content creators to produce and coordinate student-facing communications across UBC’s Okanagan campus.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Manager, IKBCOMM Communications. As part of the communications team, this position works collaboratively with staff across the portfolios and may supervise staff involved in communications projects.

This position also interacts with external organizations including suppliers and service providers.

Work Performed

Communications project coordination and management

• Manages communications projects, determines project timelines and budgets, and develops contingency plans to keep projects on track.
• Develops and implements communications and marketing strategies.
• Communicates with AVPS and ES units to clarify subject material, provide project status updates and negotiate any necessary changes to timelines or deliverables.
• Evaluates publishing requirements and provides recommendations regarding media and format.
• Manages projects and coordinates workflow of content providers, editors, designers, and external service providers.
• Acts as liaison with editors and content providers to establish and meet production deadlines.
• Actively seeks out partnerships and develops relationships with other campus units and student groups in order to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
• Ensures that messages are delivered in a coordinated fashion across appropriate communications channels.
• Works with other creative staff in University Relations to meet clients’ needs.
  

Digital communications

• Plans messaging and coordinates content for social media, blogs, and e-newsletters, including recruiting and training contributors to facilitate interaction.
• Regularly updates and maintains social media accounts, monitors social media, and ensures synergy and linkages between student-facing websites, other social media groups and online communities.
• Coordinates and prepares content for targeted email communication campaigns.
• Reviews data/analytics on a regular basis, provide summary reports and develop innovative solutions to solve complex, multifaceted problems.
• Audits, creates and edits content within web content management system (WordPress)
• Advocates for the adoption of best practices in website information organization and user-centred design to balance the needs of the audience with the goals of the units.
  

Writing and editing services

• Implements a comprehensive editorial policy across print publications, websites and digital channels that is consistent with UBC’s overall strategic communications goals.
• Writes and produces engaging content to reach students in creative ways, using existing channels (i.e. social media, digital screens, blog, email newsletter and website) or new digital platforms.
• Coordinates and creates communication campaigns and editorial content. Works closely with team members to produce relevant materials for various segments of the student population.
• Writes content for publications, websites and digital channels in collaboration with other units in AVPS and ES.
• Edits for style, substance, and organization; reorganizes text to create consistency in grammar, format, message, and voice, recommending substantive editorial changes as needed.
• Reviews, proofs, and fact-checks copy, and provides layout-ready copy according to style guide specifications.
  

Participates In Other Communication Services

• Coordinates focus groups, surveys, and other methods of user testing.
• Maintains familiarity with major communications trends, issues, and technologies.
• Functions as a communications resource for FASS and FoS, sharing expertise and developing foundational materials that enable unit staff to handle some communications tasks independently.
• Participates on university committees, as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as required.
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position must exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with staff and faculty. This position must make decisions on how best to manage projects given short timeframes, relative strategic importance of projects, ease of substituting one project for another given staffing available, and the impact of failing to meet deadlines.

People who rely on information provided by the IKBCOMM portfolio include faculty, staff, students, and counsellors. Students make academic and personal decisions based on material published. Ineffective communication with current students may result in disengagement and lack of service to support student success; reduced participation in enriched learning opportunities and student services; lower student satisfaction; and a reduced capacity to engage students as future alumni. Publications, websites and digital media must maintain a competitively high standard, must fit within branding and marketing strategies, and must appeal to specific target markets.

Supervision Received

This position reports to the Manager, Communications.

Supervision Given

Supervises staff involved in specific communications projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant disciplines include English, communications, journalism, marketing, or publishing.
• Exceptional writing abilities, with ample experiences in simplifying and summarizing complex language into concise, easy to digest copy.
• Proven experience in strategic communications planning and project coordination. Ability to plan and implement a broad range of digital and non-digital communications projects. Demonstrated ability to work in a project-based environment and handle multiple and concurrent priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Ability to look at complex problems from different perspectives and find creative solutions with the resources available.
• Excellent project management and organization skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, manage timelines and implement a broad range of digital and print communications projects in a high-volume production environment.
• A foundational understanding of visual design principles, knowledge of branding and working within a graphic identity system. Experience working with and providing feedback to designers. Basic graphic design skills are an asset.
• Experience using established and emerging social media channels for communication and audience engagement. Strong analytical skills and ability to use social media monitoring and analytical tools, e.g. Google Analytics, to measure success and deliver actionable recommendations.
• Solid understanding of social media and web content best practices and usability conventions.
• Photography experience an asset.
• CSS and HTML considered an asset.
• Understanding of print production processes and terminology.
• Familiarity with blogs, content-management systems, and email marketing tools.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and the Microsoft Office suite. Familiarity with databases or other project management software.
• Professional experience in a post-secondary institution or similar environment an asset.
• Effective oral communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and discretion when working with confidential and/or sensitive information and in dealing with various levels within the university.
• Ability to work in an interculturally rich environment.
• Capacity for creativity and research; ability to exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and judgment.
• Ability to assess own performance and report on project status.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and within team and to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.