Job Description

Job Title
Communications Specialist (Program Specialist II)

Position Details
The University of Lethbridge (ULethbridge) is one of Canada’s top universities and research institutions. ULethbridge is located on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community. The University strives to create a diverse and inclusive community where students, faculty and staff feel welcome, are treated equitably and can thrive in their various endeavours.

A people-first institution, ULethbridge is made up of more than 8,500 students on campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary; 1,000 faculty and staff members, 50,000+ alumni and 55 years of friends and community supporters. The communications and marketing team captures their stories through dynamic, compelling narratives that build the University’s brand and strengthen its relationship with diverse audiences and stakeholders locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

The Communications Specialist is an experienced communications professional, a skilled writer, and a social media expert.

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Communications in the Department of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations, this position will support the Faculty of Education, one of the leading education programs in Canada, as a significant part of their duties. As such, this position is housed in the Faculty of Education and works closely with the Dean.

The Communications Specialist plays an integral role in developing and coordinating communications strategies and materials that are aligned with the institutional strategic communication plan and advance the brand and public image of both the University and the Faculty of Education.

An excellent communicator, this position develops engaging content in a variety of forms, including: print and online communication, posters, newsletters, and podcasts that highlight the achievements of Faculty of Education students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters, as well as its programming, research/creative activities excellence, and community engagement to a broad range of audiences (prospective students, students, faculty/staff, alumni, donors, community and key external stakeholders linked to the Faculty including teachers, schools and school divisions).

The communications specialist will develop stories related to student achievement, faculty and research, staff, school partners, and mini-projects/campaigns (ie. conferences, research grants, graduate studies summer institutes). As such, the Communications Specialist is a master of tone and voice and adapts content for audience and distribution via specific mediums and social media channels. This position will also coordinate e-newsletter development, web site updates and provides event support where necessary.

The Communications Specialist plays a key role in managing social media accounts from a content perspective, working with stakeholders and content contributors and scheduling positive-oriented posts and professional development for preservice and in-service students.

This position collaborates with members of the Department of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations, the Faculty of Education as well as teams from across the University to ensure clarity, consistency and quality and to enhance the University’s profile and presence in an increasingly competitive educational environment.

Some evening / weekend work and travel may be required.

Please submit a link to your portfolio or include writing samples.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English or a related field

• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills; including editorial/feature writing and writing for the web, as well as Canadian Press writing standards

• Social media expert, including strategy, content development, execution, monitoring and measurement

• Media relations and event support experience

• Strong project management and time management skills

• High level of computer literacy, including MS Office, SharePoint, Teams, Zoom, Hootsuite, Campaign Monitor (or other e-newsletter programs) and updating web content in a Drupal environment

• Creative thinker, ability to use data to measure effectiveness

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven creative environment

• Knowledge of undergraduate and graduate programming and research at the University of Lethbridge is an asset

• Knowledge of design concepts, effective desktop, print and online design/publication skills; proficiency in using digital photo equipment, photo editing (InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe Spark), is an asset

• Knowledge of primary education structures and concepts is an asset

Hiring Range
$5,149.00 - $5,828.00 monthly

Campus
Lethbridge

Employment Group
AUPE

Position Category
Other