Job Description

Description

The

School of Public Policy

is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term

Digital Communications Specialist

for approximately 1 year.


The School of Public Policy (SPP) at the University of Calgary is seeking a full-time Digital Communications Specialist for a one-year renewable term working primarily to support the New North America Initiative (NNAI). We are seeking an experienced professional communicator who is energetic, well organized, detail oriented, well informed about current events and has exceptional writing and editing skills.


Reporting to SPP's Manager of Communications and Marketing, the Digital Communications Specialist will work closely with the Director of Communications for the NNAI, which is part of the International Policy area of focus at the School.


Proper time management is essential, as there will be multiple concurrent and time-sensitive deadlines and tasks as part of a heavy workload and continuous change. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

(Key purpose, functions, roles):


The Digital Communications Specialist will provide communications for NNAI programs, initiatives and events while working collaboratively with SPP and UCalgary communications, media relations, government relations and community outreach teams to ensure there is organization-wide alignment around standards, priorities and goals.


The Digital Communications Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of digital communication strategies to enhance engagement and support the NNAI websites, social media activities, and campaigns. Frequent interaction with academic and support staff and external stakeholders will require a high level of discretion, flexibility, and integrity.


The Digital Communications Specialist will possess a keen appetite and aptitude for new and emerging marketing and communications trends and techniques. To manage social media, the position requires a basic level of knowledge of current events and news headlines around North American economics and politics as well as effective communication for these forums, including digital storytelling.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):

Assist in designing a digital media strategy for the NNAI and as requested for the School of Public Policy. Create editorial content for NNAI website, social media, and other digital platforms. As requested, assist in providing similar services to the SPP. Work with SPP and UCalgary Media Relations staff to promote NNAI and SPP experts online. Design and deploy email newsletters and campaigns using marketing automation tools. Help design and execute e-marketing campaigns for NNAI, and as requested, SPP events and publications including webinars, lectures, conferences, and community engagement events for external audiences. Build, manage, and segment email lists based on CRM data. Update and maintain NNAI website content ensuring accuracy and compliance with accessibility, usability, and optimizing for search engines. As requested, provide similar support for the SPP website. Track key performance indicators and metrics, analyzing audience engagement and reach. Working with the Communications team, assist in the development of quality social media postings and proactively ensure timely, continual posting of material to social media channels and to SPP and NNAI websites. Create and adapt content for use across multiple channels, including websites, email, social media, and electronic bulletin boards. Working with the Communications team, coordinate basic multimedia content (e.g., photography, video, graphics) to complement digital communications. Support the development and maintenance of a content calendar for social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter), aligned with academic and strategic priorities, including recruitment.
Support monitoring of engagement and trends and identify opportunities to increase reach and visibility.
Support the planning and promotion of faculty events, including webinars, public lectures, info sessions, and other outreach activities, through digital channels. Coordinate logistics and communications for event registration, follow-up, and digital engagement using tools like Marketo and CRM integrations. Ensure digital communications (including EBBs and internal messaging) align with university branding and messaging standards. Use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights, email performance dashboards) to evaluate and improve digital content and campaigns. Provide regular reports on performance metrics and digital trends to internal stakeholders. Contribute to the development of KPIs aligned with recruitment, communications, and event participation goals. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Diploma or certificate in communications, digital media, marketing, or related field. Five plus years of experience in digital communications (web and social media), preferably within the private sector, a business association, think tank or nonprofit. Exceptional website management technical skills, strong digital and social media writing capability, and editing, with high attention to detail, with an ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences and platforms. Experience with marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo) and CRM systems (e.g., Slate, BBCRM), especially in support of student recruitment and event e-marketing. Proficiency in managing social media platforms and content planning tools (e.g., Sprout). Experience working with subject matter experts, translating complex concepts into accessible communications. Basic photography and video production skills using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite. Strong understanding of digital analytic tracking and reporting. Web content management (Drupal, Livewhale) and strong HTML skills are essential. Ability to work collaboratively with staff and contracted staff while handling multiple priorities and competing deadlines. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Well-versed in event promotion.

Application Deadline:

September 1, 2025.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.


This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the

Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.


For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our

Management and Staff Careers website

.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.


The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (

equity@ucalgary.ca

) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (

hrhire@ucalgary.ca

).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.