Communications Strategist

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Job Profile

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Department

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

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Job Summary
The Network Communications Strategist works within the Arts Service Centre Communications (ASC Communications) to develop and implement change management and communications plans and strategies for Arts units within the Arts Communications Network (ACN). This role works closely with the Arts Communications Network (ACN) Manager to support the new faculty-wide communications service model.

The role responsible for supporting the success of communication specialists who fulfil unit communications needs within the new service model. This role may support strategy-building and implementation of deliverables on numerous emerging communications items including storytelling media relations issues management and the promotion of programs and services for select departments.

The Network Communications Strategist will work closely with the other Network Communications Strategist in the ACN stream to support Arts unit-level communications and develops effective relationships with unit-level stakeholders including Heads/Directors Administrators and embedded/portfolio communicators.

This work requires a deep understanding of ASC Communications operations and the needs of each academic unit its priorities strategic goals academic programs and key activities. The position requires flexibility and agility to navigate multiple priorities simultaneously make critical assessments and decisions provide leadership and guidance to specialists and manage critical relationships within the network. This work will leverage and strengthen the position of each unit and the Faculty of Arts internationally nationally and within UBC.

Organizational Status
This position reports to the Arts Communications Network Manager and works collaboratively with the other Network Communications Strategist ASC Communications and broader network of Arts communicators.

The Network Communications Strategist interacts and consults with staff students administrators and heads/directors within the Faculty of Arts as well as faculty members across campus and a variety of other members of the University community. The role consults with UBC Media Relations UBC Brand and Marketing Arts Development and Alumni Engagement and other units within the faculty. The position liaises with UBC faculty staff students and the outside community as required.

Work Performed
Strategy development and change management support:

• Supports the Arts Communications Network manager in strategy development and implementation and change management support as it pertains to the new Arts communications service model.

• Collaborates with the other Network Communications Strategist to provide a basic level of communications support for each academic unit within the Faculty of Arts.

• Supports the strategic goals of the Faculty of Arts and collaborates with units to support their strategic communications priorities within the capacity of the communications service model.

• Supports the development of initiatives within the ACN to bring a sense of belonging as part of a community of practice.

• Develops and implements a proactive community engagement and relationships management approach in the communicators network to ensure a transparent and sustainable model transition.

Partnership and stakeholder engagement:

• Meets regularly with Communications Specialists supporting academic units Administrators and Heads/Directors to create proactive communications plans and ensure visibility into unit-level communications outputs.

• Works with the ASC Communications leadership team to develop processes and set standards for communications across the faculty.

• Facilitates effective communication and collaboration proactively resolving challenges to ensure seamless operations and successful service delivery.

• Supports with the management of individual unit Service Level Agreements.

Leadership and people/staff support:

• Supervises and mentors Communications Specialists under the service model to meet unit communications needs.

• Collaborates with Heads/Directors and/or Administrators as needed in supporting Communications Specialists.

• Navigates administrative tasks related to direct reports (with the support of the Arts Communications Network Manager) e.g. performance reviews and HR tasks and professional development opportunities.

• Supports the ACN. Provides or facilitates training for Arts communicators. This may include workshops and training sessions participating in hiring and onboarding mentoring and providing constructive feedback.

• Manages and monitors intake/workflow processes within the portfolio ensuring that Communications Specialists are supported in their work.

General communications support may include:

• Provides escalation-level communications support to academic units in complex high-risk or cross-unit situations where issues exceed the scope of Communications Specialists.

• Leads the development and alignment of communication and marketing strategies across Arts units to ensure consistency with Faculty-wide priorities and service model capacity.

• Functions as a senior communications authority and resource providing strategic guidance standards interpretation and decision-making support to Communications Specialists and unit leadership.

• Provides strategic oversight direction and final review of communications materials developed by Communications Specialists; may draft or edit materials in exceptional or high-impact situations.

• May consult with content providers and units within the Faculty on messages audience delivery and best practices for internal and external communications. Determines the appropriate communication channel and distribution of messages.

• Identifies and coordinates opportunities with other campus communicators to cross-promote the Faculty effectively across campus.

• Maintains familiarity with major communications trends issues and technologies.

• Represents the ASC Communications team on various committees and other opportunities that require/request Arts representation.

• Performs other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This role exercises initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion and must demonstrate tact and discretion. Works independently and as a team member within established guidelines and standards.

Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of defined goals. Makes decisions regarding strategy partnerships writing and editing communication materials and communications projects and service contracts. The Communications Strategist works with all groups across the Faculty to serve the communication needs of the Arts community. Error in the performance of duties or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information may adversely affect the image and reputation of the ASC Communications team the Faculty and the university. The performance of this position can have a major impact on how the Faculty of Arts is perceived by its internal and by extension the external community.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Arts Communications Network Manager.

Supervision Given
Supervises supports manages and coordinates the work of Communications Specialists within the new communications service model. Explains work procedures to new or inexperienced staff including student staff if applicable. May direct the work of internal and external service providers.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related 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

• Commitment to anti-racism and inclusive excellence and ability to apply an intersectional anti-racist lens to communications projects. Ability to recognize respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Takes initiative in learning about language and issues relating to equity and diversity.

• Prior experience with developing and implementing a change management strategy with wide-scale tangible impacts will be an asset to the role.

• Demonstrated experience managing/supporting staff or in a leadership role and implementing project management practices. Experience in client relations particularly working with internal client structure or agency environment.

• Demonstrated experience of a high-level of interpersonal and relationship management skills working in an environment where you supported or managed several stakeholders partners and/or clients simultaneously.

• Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with various levels of senior administration campus audiences external agencies and students.

• Prior communications and marketing experience in developing and coordinating print and digital projects. Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic deadline-driven innovative environment with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Internal communications experience desired.

• Ability to conduct needs analysis plan organize manage monitor complete and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

• Proven multi-tasking skills including ability to work effectively under pressure handle heavy volumes and meet demanding deadlines. Ability flexibility and willingness to use multiple productivity task management and collaboration software in concert with the department and ASC Communications systems. Strong attention to detail is a must.

• Demonstrated experience working with social media tools in an organizational and/or corporate environment to engage audiences. Demonstrated experience using content management systems such as WordPress. Experience in creating and delivering messages on various platforms using tools such as video podcasts presentations and webcasts. Experience assessing and analyzing data to make informed decisions. Familiarity with analytics programs for social media platforms is an asset.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of graphic and web design principles required. Ability to use desktop publishing software at an intermediate level.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations. Ability to adapt writing styles for various purposes for different media requirements and for different audiences. Ability to effectively use email word processing spreadsheet presentation software at an advanced level.

• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships and engage in workplace culture. Ability to recognize and appreciate the contributions of colleagues. Committed to demonstrating respect to colleagues at every level by trusting in their abilities and knowledge to perform their roles and earning respect through meeting commitments. Models and demonstrates good interpersonal communication through active listening and appreciative inquiry and is open to providing and receiving timely constructive feedback. Listens to encourages and expresses creative and innovative ideas. Open to experiment and improvise with new ways of approaching processes tasks or problems. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to exercise tact and discretion.

• Must be very adaptable and willing to change course if necessary as each unit adjusts to the new communications service model and learns what works and what does not