Senior Specialist, Alumni Communications, Alumni Engagement, Office of Advancement

Position Overview

The Office of the Alumni Engagementis currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Specialist - Alumni Communications.

The Senior Specialist, Alumni Communications develops and delivers communications and marketing plans, campaigns and programs specific to the Alumni Engagement portfolio that engage UCalgary Alumni (and other key audiences where appropriate), boost the awareness of the university, enhance our overall reputation, and deliver against the university’s core strategic direction as well as against specific goals, objectives and targets. The Senior Specialist, Alumni Communications reports to the Director, Alumni Programs responsible for overseeing the Alumni Programs team within the Office of Advancement’s Alumni Engagement unit. This role will also have a collaborative working relationship with the Communications Services team within the Communications unit in the Office of Advancement.

This role will develop and implement effective communications and marketing plans targeting UCalgary’s key audiences, specifically UCalgary alumni. This includes managing and implementing a range of communications and marketing in collaboration with the central communications team, including: advertising campaigns, publications, programs, and other communications and marketing tactics that address the goals and objectives related to alumni. The candidate will incorporate and execute digital and social media communications and marketing in alignment with the overall communications and marketing plan and work collaboratively with leadership, colleagues in communications, and select vendors to develop and publish communications and marketing materials for print, email, social and web channels. The work includes writing/reviewing web, ad, email and social media copy, writing video scripts, co-leading production, publishing web content, and reporting on communications and marketing results.

The key purpose of the Senior Specialist, Alumni Communications role is to provide professional communications generalist skills to meet the communications needs of the Alumni Engagement and subsequently the UCAA. This includes working collaboratively with the central communications team to provide strategic communications advice to address alumni communications requests, writing communications plans and managing tactics included in those plans, building and maintaining marketing campaigns using Marketo, adapting branded design templates for print and digital products, planning, writing and building websites using Drupal 8 web system, creating briefing notes, speaking notes and other event communications support, planning and coordinating speakers for video shoots that is consistent with the central communications delivery model.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Communications and Marketing:

• Develop and implement effective communications and marketing strategies and plans in support of the goals and objectives outlined in the alumni strategy
• Experience developing, executing, measuring and optimizing e-marketing campaigns
• Work collaboratively with the alumni and communications teams, and select vendors to plan, develop and publish communications and marketing materials for print, email, social media and web channels
• Manage, plan and implement a range of campaigns, publications, special events (such as webinars), and other communications and marketing tactics that address the goals and objectives of the alumni strategy
• Ensure the implementation of strong and consistent brand and positioning protocols across all projects and initiatives
• Adhere to and perpetuate the university’s brand and identity guidelines in the interest of protecting the professional reputation and distinct positioning of the institution

Stakeholder Relations:

• Develop and maintain successful and productive relationships within both the alumni and communications services teams
• Manage and coordinate with outside agencies and vendors as required
• Manage complex issues and challenging interpersonal interactions with composure and diplomacy
• Ensure that communications are timely, accurate, informative, professional, and represent the university and UCAA appropriately
• Seek expert opinions and advice where appropriate and considered reliable

Communications Project Management:

• Help to develop and finalize briefs for projects as needed, ensuring that they are complete and validated before proceeding to project launch
• Seek advice and counsel from communications services team to ensure alignment with institutional communications goals, strategies and brand
• Organize and chair kick-off meetings for project as needed
• Secure approval of all collateral content and artwork prior to production
• Assist with content review/validation/user testing/refinement (as needed)
• Participate in proofing and proof-reading processes as required
• Provide input as needed for changes to procedures and practices
• Interface with external vendors and suppliers as required to ensure project completion
• Deal effectively with complex issues, using judgment, common sense and problem-solving skills

Reporting:

• Work with the Director, Alumni Programs to determine unit communications goals and strategies
• Collaborate with Manager, Communications Services to build community of practice and connection with Communications team

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a responsible coordination position within the communications and marketing sector including leading complex projects in marketing and/or communications
• Undergraduate degree, diploma or recognized credential in communications and marketing, campaign management, project management, account management, or related field; a combination of education and experience will be considered
• Demonstrated experience in developing high-impact communications and marketing plans and campaigns to meet goals and objectives
• Working knowledge of alumni engagement is desirable
• Deep knowledge of latest digital communications and marketing and social media trends
• Solid understanding of communications and marketing, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Good leadership qualities and negotiation skills
• Proven exposure to and experience with the creative process and project management challenges
• Strategic thinker, with demonstrated ability in partnership-building
• Creative thinker and problem-solver who can think fast on their feet
• Well organized, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize functions on a daily basis and capable of simultaneously managing multiple responsibilities efficiently and effectively
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently as well as in an energetic team environment
• Results-oriented and independent, with demonstrated initiative in turning ideas into formalized projects
• Confident and poised with strong interpersonal skills, passionate about quality and able to deliver in a high-performance environment, with multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines
• Experience working in an institutional environment with high-profile stakeholders is an asset
• Experience working in a marcom or advertising agency is an asset
• Experience working with Marketo is an asset
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office applications
• High-level of understanding of the university business systems
• Excellent attention to detail

Application Deadline: March 09, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase III.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.