Job Description

Schedule
Monday - Friday; 8:30 - 4:30 (hybrid)

Education Level
Bachelor's Degree

Career Level
Minimum of 3 years relevant experience










The Marketing and Communications Strategist will play a leadership role in the planning, implementation, execution, and management of the Faculty of Engineering’s Website Redevelopment Project and overseeing the content strategy and governance for the project. The ideal candidate will be an experienced communications and/or marketing professional with a proven track record of tact, diplomacy and good judgement who is able to exercise strong critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, project management and presentation skills.

Exhibiting strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, the design vendor, project team, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs (CMPA) and University Technology Services (UTS) will also be key to ensuring the success of the project.

The Faculty is seeking a team-player who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can work under pressure and within tight timelines and is always ready to face new challenges.

Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering plays a key role in helping McMaster University earn its reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative and research-intensive universities.

McMaster Engineering has a reputation for innovative programs, cutting-edge research, leading faculty, and aspiring students. It has earned a strong reputation as a centre for academic excellence and innovation. The Faculty has approximately 187 faculty members, along with 7,000 undergraduate and about 1,100 graduate students.

The Faculty attracts approximately $44 million in annual research funding. Engineering faculty, staff and students at McMaster pursue research and learning in more than 20 research centres, institutes and networks whose interdisciplinary pursuits cross departmental and Faculty boundaries.

McMaster Engineering’s communications team work collaboratively to produce innovative content that inspires and engages faculty, students, staff, and alumni. From written articles to digital advertising to graphic design to social media storytelling, the team applies a range of expertise to enhance the Faculty’s reputation and rankings, attract top students, strengthen the Fireball Family community and service the needs of the Faculty.

Job Summary:
Responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating effective marketing and communication program strategies and managing the Faculty’s Website Development project, to promote the programs, services, events, and workshops provided by the department.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Oversee the development and content strategy of the department website.
• Develop annual marketing and communications strategies in consultation with others.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate the visual identity and branding for the department through the use of effective marketing and communication strategies.
• Ensure marketing initiatives are communicated and understood by others and that they are in compliance with the University’s branding policy and other relevant procedures and guidelines.
• Develop guidelines and policies to ensure the consistency of messaging and standards as it relates to the marketing and communication strategy.
• Design, prepare, and distribute online and print collateral.
• Develop and conduct surveys and facilitate focus groups to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented marketing and communication strategies.
• Develop strong working relationships with key contacts and stakeholders within the internal and external community for the purpose of promoting the activities and programs of the department.
• Make recommendations on the schedule of activities and events for purposes of effective and integrated promotion.
• Make recommendations pertaining to the appropriate level of use for mass communication strategies including, but not limited to, email, e-cards, social media platforms and other marketing initiatives.
• Write business plans which include the development of communication and strategic plans and objectives.
• Write articles and publications to promote activities, events, and programs.
• Coordinate, review, and edit all web content to ensure the quality of content.
• Coordinate and manage all marketing and promotional initiatives including, but not limited to, all print material, website, social media and public media presence.
• Coordinate and write the department's annual report and accomplishments.
• Establish work priorities and schedule the necessary resources for plan implementations.
• Establish and maintain high quality professional standards for all related output from the department.
• Develop and monitor the marketing and communications budget.
• Provide recommendations on the financial and staff resources required to support the implementation of marketing plans.
• Respond to inquiries and provide advice to others regarding marketing, communications, social media and print publications.
• Develop and deliver presentations to promote programs and activities.
• Provide support in the recruitment, retention, and engagement strategy for casual staff.
• Liaise with media, advertising and professional print and web designers.
• Respond to media inquiries through various mediums.
• Participate on committees related to marketing, communications, and branding within the organization.
• Research best practices and effective marketing and outreach trends.

Supervision:

• Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 casual employees at any one time.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 2-year Community College diploma in Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability in relationship development and project management, with a high degree of diplomacy.

• Strong knowledge of marketing, branding and strategic communications.
• Leverage strong verbal and written communication skills to further develop the relationships between the design vendor, project team and community stakeholders.
• Able manage timelines, communications, critical paths, resources and project organization overall to ensure requirements and deliverables dates are clearly communicated and executed.
• Experience working on website development with a variety of content management systems such as WordPress.
• Understanding and experience with creating online content with a focus on the user experience.
• Excellent analytical skills, including ability to amalgamate data from multiple sources (e.g. Google Analytics) to evaluate success.
• Experience working in higher education and on website redevelopment projects are assets.
• Experience facilitating effective dialog between the user community and technical staff.
• Previous experience working on a software/technology project, including coordinating with a development team to determine technical approaches and technical risks for project testing.
• Strategic and creative mindset.
• Great attention to detail.
• Strong skills in collaboration and respect to diverse backgrounds, experiences and styles.
• Able to work on multiple projects, prioritize content, and manage time autonomously.
• Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite.

Additional Information:
Evening and weekend work could be required during time-sensitive website testing and launch timeframes



How To Apply




To apply for this job, please submit your cover letter and resume online. Submission of a portfolio of work alongside an application is encouraged.




Employment Equity Statement




McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

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to communicate accommodation needs.


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