Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title Change and Digital Communications Strategist

Department Web and Digital Products | Student Communications Services | VP Students

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 January 1, 2024

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

Job End Date Jan 21, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Student Communications Services (SCS) provides communications leadership and support to UBC\'s Office of the Vice-President, Students (VPSO) and Enrolment Services (ES). This role is part of a cross-functional team that works collaboratively to build and maintain a student-centred digital and communications ecosystem for UBC Vancouver students across web, social, email, blog, and other platforms.

The Change and Digital Communications Strategist leads and executes on WorkDay Students projects that support the efforts for the VP, Students Office during the Workday Student implementation. This ensures UBC students at the Vancouver campus stay well-informed, engaged, and supported throughout the transition.

This position ensures the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged in the work they perform.

Organizational Status
The Change and Digital Communications Strategist is a member of the Student Communications Services (SCS) team. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Student Communications Services. An integral member of the Student Communications Services Team, works in close collaboration with SCS, VPSO, and ES teams.

Work Performed

Digital communications management

Direct and lead collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts to create and execute on communications and change management strategies and initiatives related to Workday Student issues, outages, changes and disruptions

Lead the delivery of systems communications initiatives, advising stakeholders on the best channels and approaches to effectively convey change impacts and benefits, and ensuring alignment with the audience\'s readiness and needs.

Translate user impacts coming from system disruptions and change into student-friendly key messages

Stakeholder management

Leads and develops communications strategies and initiatives related to system changes or outages

Responsible for identifying, planning and proactively address potential barriers or obstacles to successful delivery of communications to key stakeholders and students

Responsible for facilitating the collaboration among stakeholders, communications teams, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to emergency communications related to unanticipated changes, potential system outages, and other service disruptions.

Responsible for managing and maintaining open lines of communication with all involved parties, updating on project status, anticipated shifts, and gathering feedback to fine-tune communication tactics.

Actively build relationships with campus units, student groups, and other stakeholders to clarify, integrate, and amplify change messages, ensuring consistency and cohesion across the university community.

Provide training and mentorship of staff and student employees when needed and manage and provide direction to internal or external service providers.

Change Leadership and Strategy

Develop and implement strategies for effective change communication, ensuring stakeholders are well-informed, engaged, and supported throughout transitions.

Analyze the impact of changes on various stakeholders, identify potential impacts to students , and collaborate with stakeholders to develop communications to support the change.

Leads cross-functional teams to develop and execute plans, to achieve unit and communications goals and minimize disruption.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position represents the VPSO, ES, and the University as a whole, and is required to exercise professional judgment, collegiality, and initiative while undertaking all responsibilities and developing relationships and partnerships.

Incorrect decisions or judgment will directly affect UBC\'s reputation with students, faculty, staff, partners and the broader community. Inappropriate actions, errors in performance or indiscretions in judgment can negatively impact the VPSO\xe2\x80\x99s working relationships and credibility with a range of critical internal and external partners, may result in legal action or negative public relations, incur inappropriate costs, and/or jeopardize the unit\'s reputation.

Supervision Received

Works independently under general guidance and supervision of the Senior Manager, Student Communications Services.

Works with members of Student Communications Services, VP Students Office, and Enrolment Services to achieve the communication goals of the portfolio and its units.

Must be self-directed, able to handle project priorities, and work independently. Shows initiative and creativity in reaching set goals. Work is reviewed periodically to assess performance and ensure achievement of project goals.

Supervision Given
May lead recruitment, hiring, training, and mentorship of staff and student employees. May give direction to internal or external service providers.

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

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and managing communications through digital transformation and/or major organizational changes

Higher education degree or diploma in a relevant field of Digital Media, Information Design, Business, or Communications preferred.

Expressed commitment to supporting historically, persistently, or systematically marginalized student populations and an inclusive workplace

Experience managing multiple diverse stakeholders, subject matter experts, or clients in complex environments

Experience hiring, managing, and mentoring staff or student staff

Solid understanding of the principles and practices of content strategy, plain language, digital accessibility, inclusive language, and digital communications

Knowledge of the principles of user-centred design and best practices

Experience and competency in connecting business goals to user needs

Knowledge of digital analytics tools, particularly Google Analytics

Ability to work in a flexible, changing environment

Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

High level of initiative, curiosity, and willingness to experiment and innovate.

Attention to detail and judgment in all work.

Flexibility and ability to seek creative ideas to solving problems and identifying new opportunities

Ability to use tact and discretion when working with confidential or sensitive information.

Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team with a diverse range of partners and colleagues across campus.

Ability to work collaboratively and to give and receive feedback productively

Experience working within a complex organizational structure; and understanding of the academic and public sector environment is a strong asset.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

University of British Columbia