Job Description

Overview

The Manager, Integrated Communications is part of a fast-paced team of integrated communications and marketing professionals. Under the direction of the Director, Integrated Communications, the team works closely with a wide range of campus stakeholders to develop strategic communications to advance the University of Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s reputation.

This position is accountable for identifying and delivering the strategic institutional communications content, used across multiple channels to advance the University\xe2\x80\x99s image, profile and reputation with local, national and global audiences. The position will develop and implement traditional and digital communication activities in support of strategic goals.

The incumbent will be a storyteller and editor, providing leadership and guidance to senior leaders, administrators and staff on content creation and management. The incumbent will provide guidance to communication colleagues across campus who contribute to the University\xe2\x80\x99s program of content marketing.

This position is responsible for planning, evaluating and producing the highest quality content, which will further the reputation and strategic goals of the University. The incumbent must be a highly skilled writer, with superior understanding of both traditional and new communication technologies, and a strategic thinker with deep experience. The Manager serves as a lead editor and provides leadership and guidance to communications professionals across campus on matters of research, style, story development and content creation.

Responsibilities

Implement communications plans

• Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Integrated Communications and working with others across campus, support a pan-University communications plan that reflects and supports the central goals of the University
• Proactively manage multi-channel communications campaigns.

Represent Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s voice and position in communication material and facilitate conversations that enhance Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s reputation and are of value to key local, national and international audiences and stakeholders * Collaborate with faculty members, University leaders and communications teams across campus to identify and promote research and activities relevant to the University\xe2\x80\x99s strategic goals.

• Contributes to the University Relations editorial content calendar for central channels
• Make recommendations on innovative approaches to disseminate content using emerging technologies
• Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Integrated Communications and other University Relations leaders in a matrixed organization, delivers a comprehensive communications content program \xe2\x80\x94 from the development to the evaluation and critical assessment of content
• Create multimedia content for the University\xe2\x80\x99s websites, social media channels and a suite of central institutional print and digital collateral used to advance the University of Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s reputation
• Ensure consistency, accuracy and excellence in quality and content of messaging in all materials
• Develop multi-stakeholder communications plans to support significant content or events
• Conduct research, interviews to write, edit and fact-check a variety of communication materials in support of the marketing and communication plan
• Ensure that Waterloo\xe2\x80\x99s visual identity, messaging and style guidelines are consistent in all institutional marketing and communication materials produced by University Relations
• Support the Emergency Communications Team in delivering of the Emergency Response Plan as required

Provides research and writing for strategic institutional documents; determine and coordinate cascading communication plan for stakeholders * Attend events to compose notes capturing key messages, take photographs and video and network with attendees to provide content for social media outlets/audiences, e.g., Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Perform other duties of a comparable level/type as assigned * Participate in the administration of specific department-wide responsibilities and other general and specific duties as may from time to time be determined

Insights and understanding

• Evaluate data and metrics to optimize content creation and distribution across all channels. Use data and metrics to improve the effectiveness of online content
• Conduct environmental scans to identify new approaches and assess new technologies to deliver content in new and innovative ways.

Identifies opportunities to promote University key messages in a wide range of content and channels * Contributes to creating a strategy for the assignment and selection of photographs; negotiate permissions, prepare copy and photographs for use, write display copy and organize material for designers

• Collaborate on the development of creative vision for photography to be used across print and digital channels in support of the University\xe2\x80\x99s strategic goals
• Ensures consistency, accuracy and excellence in quality and content of messaging for UWaterloo content and meets current best practices for University communications \xe2\x80\x94 including diversity, equity, inclusive language and accessibility
• Strategically reviews scholarly research to develop content of interest to the University\xe2\x80\x99s stakeholders
• Evaluate research discoveries to determine the most strategic and engaging approach to creating multimedia content that will be used across the University\xe2\x80\x99s communication channels

Influence and impact

• Support the development and delivery of professional development and training programs designed to raise proficiency in communications across campus
• Champion University Relations\xe2\x80\x99 guidelines: writing style, inclusive language and brand
• Create and maintain tools (e.g., copy decks/content templates; sample content; glossary of terms) to support content creators
• Participate in the recruitment and development of University Communications co-op staff; provide leadership, guidance, support and coaching as required

Work collaboratively across all units of University Communications and University Relations to deliver on integrated strategies * Supervise co-op student(s) and manage the processes involved in advertising and hiring co-op students

• Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to colleagues across campus as required.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field, or comparable experience
• 5+ years of extensive experience in a post-secondary, marketing or communications environment
• Extensive experience using web-based user interfaces to manage and maintain web content (e.g., web content management system, social media accounts)
• Extensive experience using social media and new media tools, social networking sites, video sharing sites, blogs and Wiki
• Proven ability in managing multiple-source projects that require attention to accuracy, consistency, and the ability to work with many different people with competing priorities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; excellent editing skills
• Extensive interviewing and researching skills
• The incumbent must be a highly skilled writer and a strategic thinker with superior understanding of digital communication technologies
• Expertise in strategic storytelling, communications, marketing and working knowledge of website best practices, digital and content marketing, as well as communications design, development and execution
• Strong organizational skills coupled with proven ability to effectively document work, handle multiple tasks, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities and short deadlines
• Ability to build consensus, foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders, and lead integrated project teams
• The ability to translate technical concepts into simple language or visual schematics in order to facilitate understanding among campus colleagues and leaders
• Proven ability, extensive experience, and strong working knowledge and understanding of integrated communications strategies within a highly complex institution and competitive marketplace
• Thorough command of the technologies associated with communications, sophisticated client service and digital communications skills, and high level of energy and passion with respect to this area of rapid change and innovation
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues
• Flexibility to adapt to unexpected and time sensitive demands

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 .

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 or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

University of Waterloo