Communications Strategist

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Information Services, Level B

Job Title
Communications Strategist

Department
UBCO tendersglobal.net Communications tendersglobal.net Vice Principal Research Office

Compensation Range
$6,551.00 – $9,418.83 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
February 29, 2024

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

Job End Date

Apr 15, 2025

The anticipated start date for this position is April 1, 2024. This is a one-year leave replacement.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation (VPRI) sets strategic research priorities for the UBC Okanagan (UBCO) campus, provides researchers with information, resources and tools to pursue world-leading impactful research, and leads key initiatives to create new research opportunities and enhance the university’s research profile and reputation nationally and internationally.

Job Summary
The Communications Strategist co-develops, supports and implements strategic communication plans that align with and support the strategic directions, priorities and goals of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio and UBC Okanagan. The Communications Strategist manages complex communications projects and initiatives, employs diverse communications tools and story telling techniques, and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to create and distribute compelling content that highlights UBCO’s research and innovation activities in a variety of mediums formats and lengths, as appropriate.
Organizational Status
This position reports directly to, and receives strategic direction and support from, the UBCO-VPRI Communications Manager. The incumbent works with independence and maintains close working relationships with VPRI unit heads, academic directors and staff, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Offices, University Relations, faculty communicators and other communications professionals across both campuses, and Development and Alumni Engagement staff.
Work Performed

1. Research Communications
– Contributes to, supports and implements strategic research communications plans for major projects and initiatives within and across the VPRI portfolio.

– Plans, implements and evaluates promotional campaigns and tactics across a range of mediums, including online, video, print, and social media.

– Facilitates annual communications planning with core VPRI units and prioritizes required communications strategies and their associated key deliverables and tactics for development.

– Assesses, establishes and maintains key performance metrics and prepares summaries for use in annual reports, town hall presentations, and executive leadership updates.

– Ensures portfolio-wide communications tactics and creative deliverables meet UBC brand standards and support and align with campus research priorities, goals and objectives and with UBC’s strategic plan.

– Manages VPRI-owned websites and reviews analytics to improve performance.

– Moderates social media channels by posting regular, engaging, research-related content, engaging with and supporting followers and partners, and responding to direct messages, threads and inquiries.

– Maintains contact lists and templates in online newsletter platform (Envoke).

– Oversees and works to expand digital asset library (i.e. video, photography, logos, etc.) and extends rights and permissions for broader campus or institution-wide use.

– Manages access to VPRI communications platforms (WordPress, Envoke, Qualtrics, Slido) and brand resources (logos, guidelines, templates, best-practices, etc.).

– Protects, promotes and ensures consistent and proper use of the VPRI and UBCO brands in all communications plans, assets and tactics.

2. Content Development

– Develops feature stories, profiles, announcements, news releases, backgrounders, Q&A’s to support strategic communications plans for target audiences, including media, government, industry and non-profit partners, regional business and community leaders, prospective research faculty, donors and sponsors.

– Creates effective presentations and marketing materials to ensure portfolio units, research faculty, and the broader campus community are aware of core research priorities, funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development initiatives and UBCO research success stories.

– Works with VPRI units to plan and manage a portfolio-side content calendar.

– Writes/edits/publishes content for VPRI-owned digital channels (social media, websites, newsletters, bulletins) and tracks performance to adjust as necessary and ensure increased engagement.

– Designs, develops and publishes semi-annual Research & Innovation newsletter and coordinates portfolio-wide content submissions for monthly Research Digest newsletter.

– Utilizes UBC branded templates and visual content platforms (e.g. Canva) and works with creative services partners in University Relations to create social media graphics, charts/graphs, infographics, posters, etc.

– Develops key messages, backgrounders, info/tip sheets, and research impact statements, as directed by the Manager, Communications (VPRI).

– Gathers information and develops key messages for briefing documents, PPT presentations, brochures, annual reports, fact sheets, research impact statements, and speeches for internal and external audiences.

– Collaborates with internal and external service providers to plan and organize video and photo shoots.

3. Relationship/Project Management
– Fosters close working relationships with VPRI portfolio unit managers, academic directors and staff, embedded faculty/admin unit communicators, development and alumni engagement, government relations, university relations (communications and marketing, public affairs, community engagement, ceremonies and events) to ensure timely and relevant sharing of information on overlapping projects and stay up to date on these partners’ own activities.

– Provides communications advice and project management support to core VPRI portfolio units.

– Leads new web development projects for interdisciplinary research clusters and institutes.

– Coordinates internal and external communication resources (i.e. video production, graphic design) and oversees supporting contract relationships to ensure delivery of brand-compliant creative deliverables.

– Collaborates with UBCV-VPRI communications team on cross-campus, institution-wide research and innovation communications projects and initiatives.

– Participates in university committees and working groups, as required.

4. Other duties, as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position must exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion when working with confidential and/or sensitive information and dealing with faculty, researchers and staff at various levels of organization. This position requires a high degree of maturity, autonomy, collegiality and independence. This position must make decisions on how to best manage projects considering elements including short timeframes, relative strategic importance and the impact of failing to meet deadlines. Errors in judgment or action could negatively impact the reputation of the university at a provincial, national and international level. The position impacts working relationships with a range of critical internal and external partners (including, but not limited to, government funding agencies, and potential donors).
Supervision Received
This position works independently with direct supervision from the UBCO-VPRI Manager, Communications.
Supervision Given
May assist in coordinating the activities of staff within the VPRI portfolio for identified communication projects. May supervise activities of work-study students assigned to the VPRI Communications team. Occasional oversight of portfolio staff for specific tasks, such as web site maintenance and content updates.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years’ related experience (e.g. communications/marketing, consulting, public relations, writing/editing/publishing) preferred
Preferred Qualifications

— Relevant graduate-level education will be considered an asset

– Experience at a post-secondary institution or large, multi-faceted organization (hospital network, multi-site institutions etc.) considered an asset.

– Capacity for creativity and research; ability to exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and judgment.

– Ability to think critically and make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions.

– Strong planning, organizational, time-management, decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

– Effective oral, interpersonal, presentation and public relations skills.

– Demonstrated ability to write quickly and effectively for a diverse range of audiences and story-telling mediums.

– Exceptional ability to write clearly with, and proofread for, proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

– Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of communications, marketing, new media, public engagement, and stakeholder relations.

– Ability to develop and implement strategic communications plans that achieve business objectives.

– Ability to identify communications opportunities and select the most effective tool or tactic for a situation.

– Ability to conduct a needs assessment, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.

– Ability to determine the nature and urgency of inquiries and issues, and triage appropriately.

– Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, assess and report on project status.

– Strong commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.

– Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.

– Knowledge of content management systems (WordPress) and user-experience (U/X) best practices.

– Advanced understanding of digital and social media platforms and content strategies.

– Demonstrated ability to design and implement digital performance metrics using Google Analytics and other relevant tools.

– Familiarity with project management tools, processes and software.

Proficiency using Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Microsoft 360, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

– Photography/videography experience and skills would be an asset.