Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title Communications Manager

Department UBCO | Administration | School of Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range $5,906.25 - $8,508.42 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 October 31, 2022

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

Job End Date

Summary

The Communications Manager provides strategic input and leadership, develops, researches, oversees and implements plans and operations that advance the School of Engineering s strategic communications goals.

Responsibilities include managing and implementing the creation, updating and production of visual identities, publications, story content and other communications efforts for the School. Provides writing, design, publishing, videography, photography and editing skills to the establishment and maintenance of high communications standards and accuracy of publications in print and web-based media. This position is also responsible for the strategic design and implementation of systems, programs and projects designed to raise and enhance the profile of the School.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Executive Associate Dean, with administrative supervision from the Manager of Administration, and works with University Relations and other campus communicators. This position works as part of the School of Engineering team and interacts with faculty, staff, students, and communications colleagues at the Faculty of Applied Science Dean s Office and UBC Okanagan University Relations.

Work Performed

Communications Strategies & Planning
- Develops a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy including events and workshops.
- Develops communications materials to increase industry and donor engagement.
- Works with School of Engineering Leadership to clarify goals, design objectives, and to determine project timelines and budgets, and developing contingency plans to keep projects on track.
- Evaluates requirements and provides recommendations regarding media and format.
- Manages projects and coordinates workflow of content providers, editors, designers, and external services.
- Evaluates the effectiveness and impact of marketing and communications strategies and recommends improvements.

Website & Social Media
- Develops and maintains a strategic web communications plan in conjunction with the School of Engineering s strategic goals and provides ongoing web communications support.
- Implements web and social media communication strategies.
- Provides strategic recommendations to School of Engineering leadership regarding opportunities to use web technologies to further reach.
- Liaises with University Relations on web technologies to further the School s communication strategies.
- Develops, designs, and writes website and social media content.
- Works collaboratively with staff and faculty to ensure the content of communication materials is relevant, current and accurate.

Recognition & Planning
- Develops and maintains a strategic recognition plan in conjunction and provides ongoing recognition support to the Leadership.
- Provides strategic recommendations to the Executive Associate Dean regarding opportunities to promote the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students.
- Liaises with award agencies internally and externally to garner honours and distinctions for faculty, staff and students.
- Identifies and promotes awards of potential interest to faculty, staff and students.
- Researches and interviews faculty, staff and students, to prepare the biographical material to promote their research accomplishments both inside and outside the University.

Media Relations
- Actively creates and seeks out earned media opportunities to raise the School s profile.
- Prepares press releases and publicity materials and presents stories to media in collaboration with University Relations.
- Coordinates the announcement and promotion of major honours and distinctions in conjunction with external award agencies and UBC units.
Writing & Editing Services
- Designs, plans, researches, writes, edits and produces text/story content and visual assets for all School of Engineering publications, including websites, brochures, media releases, and other promotional materials.
- Reviews, proofs, and fact-checks copy, and providing layout-ready copy according to style guide specifications.

General
- Develops and designs presentations for the Executive Associate Dean s use in promoting the progress and achievements of the Faculty.
- Practises and remains familiar with best practices in communications
- Provides photography and video services
- Manages photo and video archives

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must be able to work independently and exercise extensive judgement and decision-making. This position must exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with students, staff, faculty and the public. They 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.

The quality, ethics, integrity, and accuracy of communication materials produced by this position are critical to the School of Engineering, given the wide distribution of these materials throughout the University and across the country, inappropriate or inaccurate statements may seriously affect the image and reputation of individuals or the School of Engineering and the University as a whole.

Incomplete or inaccurate information; ineffectual or poor messaging in communication content could result in lower enrollment, lower quality of faculty recruitment, poor fundraising or negative perception of the University s academic record.

Supervision Received

Works autonomously within broad mandates (this description) to meet goals, and according to executive direction received from the Executive Associate Dean; work is reviewed in terms of achievement of defined goals.

Supervision Given

May supervise a BCGEU position, Work/Study students.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.University degree in marketing, communications, or public relations is preferred.Minimum of five years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.A minimum of one year of experience effectively coordinating marketing communications and or media projects, including experience with both print and web, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in a post-secondary education setting would be an asset in this regard. Ability to work effectively within a team environment and to collaborate effectively with others to complete projects. Must be able to work tactfully with all levels of university personnel - senior administrators, faculty, staff peers and students. Ability to understand the importance of the cross-cultural context in relation to marketing and communication initiatives. Takes initiative and demonstrates resourcefulness and sound judgement in managing projects. Effective time management ability, ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work effectively under pressure to meet critical deadlines. Excellent verbal, writing and editing skills; experience with online communications, including current social media tools and strategies would be a definite asset. Knowledge of the Okanagan campus and Kelowna region would be a decided asset. Demonstrated experience with computer applications relevant to marketing functions is required (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite and the full MS Office suite). Preference will be given to candidates with graphic design and or photography and videography experience.