Overview:
Term: 6 months.
The Communications & Membership Services Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluatingcommunications, events, and engagement strategies that advance the goals and reputation of the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (the Association) in representing faculty members across all Faculties and campuses. The Communications & Membership Services Officer is also accountable for maintaining Association records and ensuring the smooth internal communication of information critical to the Association\xe2\x80\x99s day-to-day operations. The incumbent will also provide clerical support to the Executive Manager and AF & T Officer as required. The Communications & Membership Services Officer will also answer inquiries and act as a first point of contact for membership questions and concerns. The Communications Officer reports to the Executive Manager but is also accountable to the Association president and other executive officers, Board members, and committee chairs. These roles are elected or appointed approximately every two years; this role provides necessary consistency, long- term planning, and institutional memory to mitigate the risks associated with frequent turnover. Responsibilities:
Communications strategy

• Leads the ongoing refinement of the Association\xe2\x80\x99s brand positioning, voice, and key messaging
• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications strategy that raises awarenessand advances the goals of the Association
• Develops and manages a multi-channel, integrated communications plan andcommunications guidelines to implement the communications strategy
• Advises on strategic and sensitive communications decisions
• Prepares and manages the Association\xe2\x80\x99s communications budget
• Monitors and reports on metrics for digital communications; applies research-based decisionmaking to improve content to meet user and organizational needs
• Investigates and learns new technologies as required; remains current on technical anddesign trends and best practices in communications
• Routinely assesses the Association\xe2\x80\x99s communications strategies, tools, and infrastructureand recommends improvements

Content creation and management

• Develops and manages an integrated editorial calendar for the Association, including print, web,and other digital media platforms
• Safeguards the Association\xe2\x80\x99s reputation and relationships (and the University, in the case of joint initiatives) by ensuring the consistency, clarity, accuracy, and accessibility of communications,and compliance with University guidelines when required
• Provides writing and editing support across the Association to ensure high quality andconsistent messaging
• Maintains thorough knowledge of the Association\xe2\x80\x99s activities and priorities, post-secondarysector news and trends, and University policies and procedures
• Leads the production of the Association\xe2\x80\x99s email newsletter, blog, social media channels, andother communications to faculty members and the public
• Supports and educates Board and committee members to produce content for Association channels
• Develops visual marketing materials such as posters, slideshows, and social media images, complying with University guidelines when required; provides creative direction to University of Waterloo Creative Services on Hagey Lecture and other joint marketing materials as needed

Event planning and management

• Collaborates with Association staff, Board, and committee members to develop and deliver a program of meetings, trainings, workshops, lectures, and other events that meet thespecialized needs of faculty and build engagement with the Association
• Prepares and manages the Association\xe2\x80\x99s events budget
• Ensures that events and meetings are planned, managed, and delivered effectively and efficiently
• Coordinates the annual Hagey Lecture, the University\xe2\x80\x99s premier invitational lecture series, with support from the University\xe2\x80\x99s Community Relations and Events department; provides strategicand operational support to the Hagey Lecture Committee, jointly appointed by Association and the University President
• Promotes Association events to faculty and other audiences as appropriate, working with staffin University Communications and Community Relations and Events as required
• Researches and uses appropriate tools to manage events and event registration
• Evaluates and reports on event success

Information management

• Advises on information technology issues and opportunities and serves as IST liaison forthe association, escalating technical issues to IST when required
• Develops and implements, in consultation with the Executive Manager, informationmanagement tools and systems to maintain Association records and facilitate internal communications
• Maintains the Association\xe2\x80\x99s membership database by understanding and continuouslytracking faculty appointments through liaison with academic and administrative departments
• Maintains accurate records of Board and committee membership and faculty appointmentsto University committees
• Liaises with other faculty associations, CAUT, and OCUFA to identify and recommendmember engagement best practices

Management and volunteer engagement

• Leads the development and implementation of volunteer recruitment and retention plans
• Leads the development and delivery of an outreach strategy to welcome new members and engage existing members
• Manages Board and presidential elections and referenda of members
• Works with the vice president of the Association to build and maintain connections between the Board and faculty in all academic units through the Council of Representatives
• Provides independent support for Association standing and ad hoc committees as assigned
• Supports Board and committee members to be successful in their roles

Clerical Support, and Membership Inquiries

• Receives inquiries and directs members to the appropriate resources, or provides advice
• Receives and distributes association correspondence to appropriate stakeholder
• Monitors FAUW general email accounts, and main phone extenstion
• Provides additional clerical support for the Academic Freedom & Tenure committee as required
• Provides clerical backup, and acts as secretary to FAUW committees in the absence of the Executive manager
• Maintains familiarity with current trends in Labour relations, and FAUW governing documents

Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a field related to communications, labour relations, non-profit management, or event planning is stronglypreferred
• Post-graduate education is an asset
  Minimum 3\xe2\x80\x935 years of experience in a communications role, preferably in the not-for-profitsector, with a proven record of developing communications strategies and creating content for multiple channels
• Minimum 3\xe2\x80\x935 years of experience using web-based platforms to create and maintain webcontent (e.g., web content management systems, social media accounts)
• Minimum 1\xe2\x80\x933 years of experience planning and executing meetings and events
• Experience working with university faculty members is strongly preferred
  Demonstrated understanding of best practices in information architecture, web accessibility,social media, content strategy, and writing for the web/digital media
• Understanding of the university environment, the role of faculty members, and policiesaffecting faculty members is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of design and print production process is an asset
• Understanding of volunteer engagement theory and best practices is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to independently create and edit effective content consistent with thequality and standard expected of University-level communications
• Demonstrated ability to use and adapt technological solutions to improve processes
• Strong organization skills, including a disciplined approach to project management withexceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Independent judgment in areas of time management, task prioritization and decision-making
• Experience with web content management systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
• Intermediate-level graphic design and image editing skills
• Familiarity with HTML and CSS
• Proficiency with MacOS, Wordpress, Trello, and web-based survey and event registration tools isan asset
• Familiarity with and ability to set up and troubleshoot basic audio-visual equipment is an asset
• Ability to build consensus, work collaboratively, and foster teamwork among diversefaculty members located on multiple campuses
• Ability to exercise judgement and discretion when handling confidential situations
• Ability to make reasonable estimates of resource needs to complete projects
• Ability to learn new software quickly
• The role occasionally requires travel to other buildings or campuses, and extended and/or non-traditional hours in order to set up, oversee and take down events both on and off campus
• The role involves occasional and optional opportunities to travel to OCUFA, CAUT, and/or COFAS conferences within Canada

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.


The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.


All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.


The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.