The Rotman School of Management is part of the University of Toronto, a global centre of research and academic excellence at the heart of Canada's commercial and financial capital. Rotman is a catalyst for transformative learning, insights and public engagement, bringing together diverse views and initiatives around a defining purpose: to create value for business and society. We make a fundamental promise - Here's where it changes - to our students, our partners and the broader community. Everyone at Rotman, faculty and staff, plays a role in bringing that promise to life.
YOUR OPPORTUNITY:
The Director, Strategic Communications reports to the Executive Director, Strategic Communications and is a key member of the Executive Director's management team. The Director, Strategic Communications provides expert guidance to a newly integrated team of four communications professionals. The team undertakes work that is aligned with and in support of the Rotman School's Academic Plan.
There are several key objectives for this team:
Amplify Rotman faculty research to non-academic audiences, showcasing how faculty members are addressing pressing business, economic and social challenges
Support recruitment and alumni engagement through compelling editorial content that promotes Rotman's graduate business programs
Centralize social media content strategy and offer support to departments across Rotman who are contributing to Rotman's key central social media channels
Create content as needed for internal communications to build engagement among faculty, staff and students
The Director leads the editorial planning and has accountability for the following:
All thought leadership content, from Rotman faculty as well as global thought leaders outside the Rotman School, for a non-academic audience, which appears in Rotman Managementmagazine (print and digital)
All thought leadership content for a non-academic audience which appears on the Rotman Insights Hub (digital)
All media relations content, including media releases regarding Rotman research, general School news and accomplishments
Profiles of alumni and students and other news stories, for www.rotman.ca, that support the work of our recruiting teams across all programs
Social media content produced by the Strategic Communications team as well as social media advice, support and analytics to varied departments who are also preparing content for Rotman's key central social media channels
The Director, Strategic Communications will be responsible for:
Leads the development of high impact content, both print and online, that is aligned with Rotman's priorities and strategic communications objectives.
Leads the editorial planning and management of signature communication vehicles and channels to ensure quality, journalistic standards and appropriateness of content.
Develops a social media strategy to capitalize on Rotman's competitive advantages, content and diverse content creators.
Carefully evaluates how current Rotman digital vehicles might be leveraged in an optimal, integrated editorial platform to deliver thought leadership content to our diverse audiences.
Supports proactive outreach and reactive responses to a high volume of media interest, while maintaining a clear understanding of when to escalate matters to the Executive Director for strategic decision-making and institutional positioning.
Works with colleagues across Rotman, including Recruiting, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Career Services, research centres, education labs and others to ensure strategic communications content is used to advantage in varied newsletters, campaigns and reports to ensure greater reach.
Offers editorial advice wherever possible to improve the overall quality of Rotman communications.
Manages relationships with colleagues across University of Toronto to maximize editorial collaboration and to gain wider reach for Rotman content through U of T communication channels.
Manages strategic external partnerships, including Harvard Business Review and other global publishers interested in Rotman content, to maximize its reach.
Maintains current knowledge of publishing and social media trends and emerging technologies to find new opportunities for content creation, distribution and engagement.
Conducts thoughtful experiments, trying new formats and approaches to engage audiences, and measures impact.
Defines key measures of success, regularly analyzing and reporting on content performance.
Develops and manages communications program budgets; forecasts expenditures; provides financial reporting to the Executive Director.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor of Journalism, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate degree an asset.
Experience:
Eight to ten years of broad-based management experience as a communications leader, publications manager and writer. Must include hands-on experience with newsletters, magazines, websites and multimedia. Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and comfort in working with electronic media is imperative.
Requires an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles involved in publication production; strong familiarity with current global business issues; superior written and oral communications skills; a collaborative management style; resource planning and management skills.
A working knowledge of key issues in higher education is desirable. They must be able to demonstrate success in managing strategic communications while working in a complex environment.
Experienced in strategic communication planning and program implementation for multiple audiences; a high degree of ability and experience in print and electronic communications, including: researching, interviewing, writing, editing, publication development, and web content development.
Experience in video production and editing techniques preferred, as well as experience with podcasting.
Knowledge of and appreciation for cutting-edge graphic design; political sensitivity and ability to work effectively with high-level individuals, leadership, negotiation and consensus-building skills; ability to manage and direct multiple projects to completion in a high- pressure environment; and experience supervising a team of editorial professionals.
Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team in a unionized environment is an asset.
Skills:
Outstanding writing and editing skills; excellent oral and presentation skills. Ability to deal professionally with tension and conflicts. Outstanding communications judgment. Expert in-depth knowledge of current communications best practices and trends, as well as demonstrated skill translating complex research for a variety of audiences. Able to work in a highly diverse community with staff from varied backgrounds and a variety of age groups. Ability to foster an inclusive environment for faculty, staff, students and members of the public. Excellent project management skills, creative management skills and problem-solving skills required. Strong knowledge of multi-platform communications and content trends, especially as related to diverse audiences. Demonstrated experience with digital measurement and associated analytics and reporting tools. Demonstrated creativity and ability to think strategically. Detail oriented to ensure accurate and reliable implementation of communication strategies. Proficiency in digital-first office and communications approaches. Solid understanding of and interest in social media and emerging digital platforms.