Communications and Engagement Strategist

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This position manages complex communications projects and initiatives employs diverse communications tools and storytelling techniques and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to create and distribute compelling content that highlights UBC Okanagans teaching and learning activities and mission in a variety of mediums and formats as appropriate. This position is responsible for the development tracking and processing of a diverse array of communications materials for the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic (P&VPA).

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

Organizational Status
This position works with independence and maintains close working relationships with P&VPA directors and staff University Relations faculty communicators and other communications professionals across both campuses.

Work Performed

Content Development

• Develops and executes communications strategies
• Co-develops and manages a portfolio-wide content calendar with the Associate Director Campus Internationalization.
• Develops feature stories profiles announcements and news releases to support strategic communications plans for target audiences including faculty staff and external stakeholders.
• Manages communications projects determines project timelines and budgets and develops contingency plans to keep projects on track.
• Manages projects and coordinates workflow of content providers editors designers and external service providers.
• Researches and writes a wide range of communication materials including but not limited to correspondence; web copy; presentations; teaching and community engagement articles and stories; videos; speaking notes; and briefing materials.
• Edits a range of communication materials for style substance and organization; reorganizes text to create consistency in grammar format message and voice recommending substantive editorial changes as needed.
• Reviews proofs and fact-checks copy and provides layout-ready copy according to style guide specifications.
• Provides fact-checking support and research where required.
• Provides communication support for P&VPA portfolios including teaching learning and academic programming; strategy and academic affairs; academic operations; and international.
• Identifies the most appropriate communication channel for communication messages including digital print and social media mediums and distributes and implements as needed.
• Ensures that messages are delivered in a coordinated fashion across appropriate communications channels.
• Evaluates publishing requirements and provides recommendations regarding media and format.
• Collaborates with internal units and external service providers to plan and organize video and photo shoots.
• Co-develops video concepts and develops and manages project plan.
• Creates effective presentations and materials to ensure the broader campus community is aware of academic initiatives; campus portfolio and unit priorities; and funding opportunities.
• Utilizes UBC branded templates and works with creative services partners in University Relations to create social media graphics charts/graphs infographics posters etc.
• Coordinates and execute events both virtual and in-person as needed in support of the P&VPA office objectives.
• Manages the P&VPAs key annual event the Teaching Excellence Awards.
• Maintains familiarity with major communications trends issues and technologies.
• Other duties as assigned

Digital communications

• Leads new web development projects for P&VPA portfolio working collaboratively with unit leads.
• Writes/edits/publishes content for P&VPA-owned digital channels (social media websites newsletters bulletins) and tracks performance to adjust as necessary and ensure increased engagement.
• Maintains a quarterly social media content calendar and monitors social media.
• Reviews data/analytics on a regular basis provides summary reports and develops innovative solutions to solve complex multifaceted problems.
• Audits creates and edits content within a web content management system (WordPress)
• Advocates for the adoption of best practices in website information organization and user-centered design to balance the needs of the audience with the units goals.
• Designs develops and publishes quarterly Academic Update newsletter and coordinates portfolio-wide content submissions.
• Researches develops and drafts web-based communication materials using knowledge of web content management systems graphic and web design social media tools and creating and delivering messages in various web-based platforms.
• Performs routine content audits on the P&VPA website editing archiving and creating content as required.

Relationship/Project Management

• Fosters close working relationships with P&VPA portfolio unit managers directors and staff; Faculty communicators; University Relations (communications and marketing public affairs community engagement ceremonies and protocol); and UBC Studios to ensure timely and relevant sharing of information on overlapping projects and stay up to date on these partners own activities.
• Coordinates internal and external communication resources (i.e. video production graphic design).
• Participates in Communicators Network and other relevant working groups as required.
• Works collaboratively with units across campus as necessary to design and produce various promotional materials to support the needs of P&VPA office. Materials include presentations; publications/brochures; event materials and programming; and digital and physical signage.
• Works with campus staff and external agencies as necessary to coordinate and develop photo and video shoots both on and off campus.
• Ensures communication and marketing materials are compliant and align with UBC brand guidelines.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position requires a high level of discretion judgment and initiative. Documentation and information that passes through the P&VPA offices is often highly sensitive and/or confidential; as such this position will be required to show the utmost discretion. Poor judgment could have significant negative implications for the P&VPA offices and the university in general.

This position requires a high degree of maturity autonomy collegiality and independence. This position must make decisions on how to best manage projects considering elements including short timeframes relative strategic importance and the impact of failing to meet deadlines.

Works under the general direction of supervisor. Work reviewed in terms of conformance with established standards and specific objectives. Makes decisions regarding the design composition writing and editing of communication materials. Makes recommendations on appropriate communications vehicles to achieve stated goals. Manages multiple tasks requiring judgement in prioritization.

Supervision Received
This position works independently with direct supervision from the Associate Director Campus Internationalization and Executive Communications in the P&VPA Office.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum five years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience with use of Microsoft Office applications at an advanced level.
• Demonstrated experience working with web content management and social media tools in an organizational and/or corporate environment; knowledge of graphic and web design principles is also beneficial.
• Experience in creating and delivering messages in various platforms. Proficiency using Adobe Creative Cloud Canva Microsoft 360 Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
• Photography/videography experience and skills would be an asset.
• Knowledge of content management systems (WordPress) and user-experience (U/X) best practices.
• Advanced understanding of digital media and social media and knowledge of web content management systems (particularly WordPress).
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to conduct a needs assessment plan organize manage monitor complete and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.
• Ability to adapt writing styles for various purposes for different media requirements and for different audiences.
• Ability to compose correspondence reports presentations and other written materials using clear concise business English.
• Ability to think critically and make thoughtful informed and thorough decisions.
• Strong planning organizational time-management decision-making problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of communications marketing new media public engagement and stakeholder relations.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement digital performance metrics using Google Analytics and other relevant tools and advanced understanding of digital and social media platforms and content strategies.
• Familiarity with blogs wikis and basic HTML is an asset.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.
• Ability to work with a diversity of people in a calm courteous and effective manner.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines across multiple portfolio units.
• Strong commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.