Job Description

Media Relations Specialist, University Communications

Primary Purpose: The Media Relations Specialist is responsible for creating and implementing media relations strategies, with a focus on national media, to promote the university\'s strategic goals as well as build profile and visibility. The specialist plays an integral role within the University of Saskatchewan\'s News and Media Centre and contributes to the efforts that builds, maintains and protects the University of Saskatchewan\'s reputation regionally, nationally and internationally.

University Relations is responsible for institutional advancement programs (which include Fundraising, Alumni Engagement and Operations and Services), and as such is dedicated to supporting the related needs of all colleges, units and the university as a whole.

The University of Saskatchewan values diversity and Indigenous engagement is a strategic priority. In support of this priority, the position will contribute to a team environment which recognizes and supports the importance and value of equity, diversity, and inclusion in achieving the mission of the university, and actively seek out those with diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to support the mission.

In University Relations, the nature of our work centres on our guiding principles of being:

• Inspiring: We are confident in ourselves and our goals. We instill confidence and excitement in others to bring them along with us.
• Committed to each other\'s success: We look for opportunities to make all our teams and the University successful.
• Collaborative and integrated: We work together toward shared goals.
• Solutions- and action-oriented: We continuously seek a path forward and we get things done.
• Brave and courageous: We expect to encounter obstacles. We face these challenges head-on.
• Respectful: We demonstrate our regard for others through listening, understanding, and acknowledging the contributions of all.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement media relations strategies by proactively participating in and providing expertise to university stakeholders ensure the media relations needs of the university are met.
• Provide leadership and media expertise to colleges and campus units to encourage best practices in media relations and to collectively achieve defined media relations goals.

• Support content development, curation, editing and publishing for University of Saskatchewan websites and ensures that all content creates a user-friendly experience for the reader.

• Refine the university\'s media monitoring system and report regularly the outcomes of media relations activities in alignment with overall university goals.

Education: An undergraduate degree or graduate degree in communications or journalism or a closely related discipline. Accreditation with IABC or CPRS would be considered an asset.

Experience: A minimum of five years of directly related experience in media relations with a thorough understanding of the process and value of effective media relations; experience in understanding and preparing stakeholders for media interviews. Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan and the academic environment would be an asset.

Skills: Excellent writing, editing, grammar and English language skills; ability to produce a significant amount of content under short timelines; attention to detail, proofreading; thorough understanding of communications principles and strategies, and proven experience in applying them and achieving results; ability to work independently and collaboratively; effective interpersonal communications and the capacity to build consensus and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, exercising diplomacy, judgment and tact; demonstrated organizational skills, including the effective planning and management of multiple projects and events; ability to problem-solve, think and act strategically and creatively; self-motivation and reliability; high level of proficiency in computer applications, web communication and emerging information technologies; photography skills required and video skills would be an asset.

Department: University Relations
Status: Term 12 months, possible ext. maternity leave replacement of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $64,107.00 - 100,169.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 5/16/2023
Closing Date: 6/12/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask\'s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan\'s for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan