Job Description

The Strategic Transformation Communications Advisor will report to the Executive Director of the Strategic Transformation Office and maintain a dotted line connection with the Communications and Marketing team. Additionally, this role will hold a position within the Strategic Transformation Working Group.

The primary focus of the Strategic Transformation Communications Advisor is to build and execute a dynamic communications strategy tailored to support the University\'s strategic transformation efforts. In this capacity, the Advisor is responsible for enhancing awareness and engagement among faculty, students, and staff regarding the University\'s Strategic Transformation by crafting a consistent narrative and implementing a robust communications program.

As the Strategic Transformation Office is a newly formed team, the Advisor will play a pivotal role in creating awareness around the office\'s mission, services, and processes. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting presentations on strategic transformation communications, participating in executive meetings and offsite events, and contributing to various reports that showcase progress within the overall transformation strategy.

To ensure the effectiveness of the communications strategy, the Advisor will engage in regular consultations with members of the Strategic Transformation Working Group and executives. This collaborative approach will yield valuable change communication recommendations and provide insights and guidance aimed at improving the overall strategy\'s impact. Additionally, the Advisor will leverage data and insights to consistently report on the outcomes and results of strategic transformation efforts, which will include, among other things, providing crucial updates for the Board Report.

General duties of the Strategic Transformation Communications Advisor (in addition to the above mentioned):

• Lead the development of an internal communications strategy aimed at educating, engaging, and inspiring faculty, students, and staff as the strategic transformation progresses.
• Craft and consistently apply a compelling narrative for the strategic transformation.
• Effectively discern and extrapolate strategic project goals during meetings with key individuals involved in the Strategic Transformation, using this information to provide guidance, advice, and develop suitable internal communication solutions.
• Cultivate strong partnerships across the institution, collaborating with various teams including the Strategic Transformation Office, Office of the President, Human Resources, and Communications and Marketing. Create multi-channel communication materials to facilitate new ways of working and complement change management efforts.
• Offer expertise in change communication best practices and take ownership of a wide range of deliverables. These include key messaging, general content, e-blasts, newsletters, articles, feature stories, digital posts, web content, digital signage, briefing notes, speaking points, toolkits, scripts, and enterprise-wide events such as town halls.
• Collaborate with the Strategic Transformation HR lead to develop and implement change management communications related to the people plans.
• Equip senior leadership and the Executive team with the confidence and ability to communicate effectively about the strategic transformation. This involves providing regular briefings and creating materials such as briefing documents, PowerPoint presentations, and scripts.
• Work closely with the Public Relations team to manage external requests for statements related to the strategic transformation.
• Identify and establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all communication activities and provide regular updates based on this data.
• Facilitate the dissemination of strategic transformation updates and successes to communicators across the university, enabling them to use their respective college/department communication channels effectively.
• Collaborate with communicators to ensure consistency in strategic transformation messaging and visual identity.
• Customize strategic transformation messaging for the various colleges and departments across the university as needed.
• Maintain open and frequent communication with communicators to ensure transparency and provide a comprehensive overview of all strategic transformation communication efforts.

Requirements of the position include:

• Bachelor\'s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field, with familiarity in the post-secondary work environment as an asset.
• 8 to 10 years of proven experience leading strategic transformation communications strategy and change communications.
• Demonstrated proficiency in strategic planning, project management, exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading abilities, coupled with a strong command of digital analytics and KPI tracking to inform communication strategies effectively and efficiently while adhering to tight deadlines.
• Exceptional understanding of change management practices, specializing in the implementation of new work methodologies, and adept at providing strategic guidance to people leaders for effective internal communications.
• 4 + years of experience in creating and publishing various forms of digital content, specializing in e-blasts, online newsletters, and web content.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, complemented by a proven track record of tailoring content for diverse audiences across various channels, including digital platforms. Proficient in simplifying complex material into clear, concise, and compelling copy.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality, approaches tasks with a professional, client-service mindset, and with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and leaders from different departments and units across the institution.
• A comprehensive understanding of AODA requirements, including familiarity with inclusive language best practices, accessible communications, HTML, basic graphic design software, and smartphone-based digital content capture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel) and data analytics, using tools like Drupal, MailChimp, Maestro, BrightEdge, Function Point, SharePoint, Tableau, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Meltwater, Muck Rack, and Cision, to generate reports and assess the effectiveness of online content.

Position Number 340-NEW
Classification P07

At the University of Guelph, fostering a is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

University of Guelph