Digital Communication Specialist

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Internal posting expires Thursday January 29th at 11:59 PM

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Primary Purpose

The Faculty of Arts is one of the University of Waterloos largest faculties by population and range of research areas and programs. The Arts communication team has the challenge and opportunity to promote the Facultys unique identity and social impact as a centre of excellence in humanities social sciences and creative arts within a university well known for STEM fields. Promoting Arts identity and strategic priorities requires consistent sourcing and creation of high-impact representative and meaningful content (including stories news information events) that is publicized via strategic use of ever-evolving and growing digital channels and tools. The Digital Communication Specialist is responsible for the creation and maintenance of engaging and accessible web and social media content with direction and guidance from the teams senior members. The incumbent also provides digital communication support to Arts Advancement Research and Deans offices as well as Arts academic addition to maintaining digital content the incumbent creates content including video photography and written pieces. Furthermore they track web and social media analytics to inform strategy. Finally the incumbent is responsible for coordination and logistics for Faculty-level events. Throughout their work the incumbent both models and promotes communication best practices including accessibility and inclusivity throughout Arts and across the University.

Key Accountabilities

Web content management and quality assurance

Maintain and support websites and web content strategies on the Faculty website and departmental/unit websites as-needed with special attention to accessibility standards user experience Waterloo brand and style best practices.

Support WCMS 3 (and future) migrations including preparation migration and helping stakeholders adopt and succeed in the new system.

Coordinates publishing new content and updating existing content as needed including events news and announcements on the Faculty website and department websites.

Review and audit Arts websites for broken links accessibility compliance and other quality assurance.

Provide web support training guidance and resources to departmental web representatives including trouble shooting and escalating problems.

Provide web support and strategy recommendations to Arts Advancement office Arts Research and Graduate Studies office and the Dean of Arts Office.

Support development of new websites or website overhauls in the WCMS including content strategy recommendations and solutions.

Social media planning content creation and management

Plan develop coordinate deliver and evaluate content for social media platforms.

Manage Faculty-level social media platforms and properties including collaborating on a comprehensive social media strategy and developing campaigns with other Faculty communicators and stakeholders.

Create edit and schedule social media related content in partnership with the Facultys undergraduate graduate alumni/advancement and research teams.

Develop visual assets (e.g. photography video) for social media.

Develop and manage the Arts social media content calendar and work in collaboration with partners to ensure content reflects and supports our Faculty and key initiatives/campaigns.

Support and educate colleagues managing social media.

Employ a listening strategy to source leads for content identify emerging issues and engage with the Arts community and beyond.

Digital Media and other Content Creation

Design and create content for social media web and digital screens including copywriting and design.

Ensure excellence and consistency in social media and digital communications including voice branding accessibility and user experience best practices.

Story writing for Faculty and University publications

Manage and contribute to a library of shared content include photos and templates.

Analytics and Reporting

Monitor maintain and improve social media and website analytics dashboards to inform strategy and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Create analytics reports as needed for Arts stakeholders (e.g. for department newsletters and campaigns).

Conduct environmental scans and competitive analyses to inform improvements and strategy.

Event coordination

Manage planning and practical aspects of Arts events including booking space audio-visual services; registrations; preparation for speaker; gathering supplies.

Collaborates in preparing speaker notes and event scenario documents; create slides as needed.

Attend event as logistics manager.

Post-event video editing and caption correction.

Required Qualifications

Education

Post-secondary degree in marketing and digital communications online journalism public relations corporate communications or equivalent and/or relevant combination of education and experience.

Experience

3 years professional experience in creating and editing content for the web and social media.

3 years of social media and website management experience.

Skilled designer experienced with creative design software videography/editing photography and digital content creation.

Event planning and coordination.

Project management and campaign planning an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Strong written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas including developing stories social media posts and website content.

Experience with website management within the Waterloo Content Management System or a similar CMS (e.g. Drupal WordPress)

In-depth knowledge and understanding of online communities and social media platforms preferably in higher education.

Familiar with social media management platforms (e.g. Hootsuite Emplifi) would be considered an asset.

Proven understanding of and commitment to user experience and accessibility requirements (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act - AODA) requirements for web and social media.

Understanding of and commitment to equity diversity inclusion and anti-racism in communication.

Familiarity with audience groups including undergraduate students graduate students alumni faculty staff and external partners/stakeholders such as research funders and donors.

Event logistics and organizational skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Proven interpersonal skills and responsive client service including building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and digital communications colleagues.

Strong leadership skills a commitment to collaboration and teamwork and a consultative approach.

Strong organizational skills to balance multiple projects with urgent requests sometimes under tight deadlines.

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 coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

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 Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

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 or ext. 45935.