Communications Specialist

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

Job End Date

There are two (2) vacancies open for this ongoing position.

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
The Communications Specialist works with multiple Arts academic units to assess their communication needs. They will be responsible for developing strategic communications plans, including implementing design and content for various communication channels. This may include tasks like writing editorials/website content, social media posts, graphics, and newsletters, etc. for academic units. The role focuses primarily on raising the profile of the units in question, with a particular focus on faculty and student research, individual and departmental achievements, student recruitment, community engagement, and alumni relations. The position is part of a centralized service model where tailored communications strategies and practices are developed for individual academic units/departments within the larger framework of Faculty of Arts communications guidelines.

This work requires a deep understanding of each unit and its priorities, strategic goals, academic programs, and key activities. The position requires the ability to profile each unit and its branding in a clear, creative, and appropriate format for multiple audiences. This work will leverage and strengthen the position of each unit internationally, nationally, and within UBC.
Organizational Status
This position reports to a Network Communications Strategist, operating under the Arts Communications Network Manager, and works collaboratively with the Arts Service Centre –Communications (ASC Communications) team and the broader network of Arts communicators.

The incumbent will take functional direction from the Unit Head and Administrator of each academic unit they support. This role is a joint position that will interact with researchers (faculty and students) and staff within each unit as well as IT Services, Arts ISIT, ASC Communications, Arts Development and Alumni, UBC Events, UBC Public Events, etc. concerning the communications and marketing needs of each unit.
Work Performed
Communications and Marketing Strategy

• Works with each academic unit to assess (and reassess) its communications needs, then works with each unit to develop, implement, and evaluate a communications and marketing strategy that may include websites, social media, email campaigns and newsletters, print and digital communications, and other communications tools.

• Writes original content to publicize the activities of students, faculty, and staff in the unit. Publishes content on the unit websites, through their social media accounts, in newsletters to unit constituencies, and other forms of communications media.

• Designs innovative ways of delivering information and services, including recommending best practices for usability, accessibility, and navigation.

• Develops and advises on the most appropriate communication tools to reach a varied audience, including websites, social media, digital signage, email campaigns, newsletters, and press releases related to research, achievements, academics, and departmental information.

• Keeps current on evolving technologies and recommends changes to ensure that departments connect with members of the UBC community and with the public in an appropriate way. Advises on the most appropriate communications tools, which requires staying current with communications trends and technologies.

• Maintains quality assurance as well as web content style guides, standards and templates. Helps to maintain UBC style guide standards across all promotional materials. Liaises with UBC units, partners and outside organizations to ensure adherence to the UBC, Faculty of Arts and unit brand standards.

• Manages the archiving of all media including the scheduled backups of photos, videos and websites.

• Provides guidance and advice for researchers who currently use social media or are interested in using social media to disseminate information related to their research, recruit research participants, and celebrate individual or departmental achievements.

• Develops and maintains the website and AIR (Arts Internal Resources) Portal of each unit. Acts as primary contact for all content providers in the departments and works with them to develop the content to meet the requirements of each unit.

• Works with unit users and support from the Faculty of Arts to update and improve overall usability and functionality of each unit's website and AIR Portal and to take advantage of new initiatives and technological capabilities. Works with internal and external content providers to develop their content.

• Manages social media content for each unit, developing and recommending methods for streamlining the process of creating and updating web site content. Acts as the primary contact for content providers. Creates and modifies templates for web-based interactive applications. Responsible for each department's social media strategy.

• Develops and maintains each unit's digital signage. Creates content for department events and manages content submitted by others to ensure compliance with digital signage policy and guidelines. Liaises with UBC Events and other units using digital signage technology.

• Provides in-person guidance for faculty and staff for their communications activities, which may include writing detailed user instruction documents. On occasion, develops and presents training and orientation sessions on communications and social media related issues for department members on a case-by-case basis.

• Acts as the communications liaison on events that further enhance the unit's identity, vision and values, including speaker series.

• Monitors and collects news coverage items about each unit and its related concerns. Works with other units within UBC to distribute news coverage items to various audiences.

• Identifies and responds to emerging opportunities to raise the profile of each unit, its research, academic program, and achievements. In conjunction with faculty members, drafts and coordinates media releases and web content, including liaising with UBC Public Affairs, UBC Press, and the Faculty of Arts.

• Represents the department on committees relating to communications and social media (ASC Communications, UBC Communications, etc.)

• Maintains contact lists for media and other partner organizations and stakeholder groups.

• Undertakes other communication projects in keeping with the mandate of the position.
   

Community Engagement

• Develops, implements and evaluates strategies in increasing community engagement and leveraging the profiles of individual faculty members.

• Establishes partnerships with other departments, and organizations, including alumni, to co-organize initiatives or career nights, and leverage resources.

• Undertakes other outreach projects in keeping with the mandate of the position and performs other related duties as required.

• Some evening and weekend work may be required.

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. Exercises tact and judgement in dealing with internal and external stakeholders. Poor performance would contribute to inefficient operations, poor service and could damage the reputation and credibility of units as well as the University as a whole. Lack of accuracy in the work could result in damaged relations with stakeholders, lower research impact, decreased enrolment in programs, and damage the brands of units and UBC. Errors in judgement could not only affect the financial position of units and individual faculty members, staff and students, but also impact existing and future relationships with government funding organizations and industry partners.
Supervision Received
Reports to the relevant Network Communications Strategist, operating under the Arts Communications Network Manager with functional direction provided by the Head/Director and Administrator of each academic unit being supported by the incumbent.
Supervision Given
May mentor, support, manage and/or coordinate the work of WorkLearn students within the academic units.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree, preferably in Communications, Journalism or Marketing, or a related area. Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic communications, marketing plans, media projects and/or social media strategies.

• 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.

• Demonstrated experience working in a community or University-based environment with a focus in public relations, communications, publicity, media relations, journalism, or marketing preferred.

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

• Knowledge of online UBC information systems is considered an asset.

• Superior writing, editing, and design skills combined with an ability to adapt writing styles for various purposes, media requirements, and audiences.

• Experience in web-based content management systems (e.g. WordPress), web design, SEO, usability, best practices, and analytics.

• Demonstrated effective use of social media to create networks and communicate across diverse groups.

• Expertise in Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, or equivalent image processing and design applications is an asset. Experience in filming and editing video using Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro an asset.

• Working knowledge of HTML and CSS. Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

• Demonstrated working knowledge of publishing, social media, website development, and communications product development.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating communications by means of print, social media and web.

• Capacity for innovation, idea generation, research, analysis, strategic thinking, and project management.

• A high degree of initiative and integrity is required on the job in dealing with confidential material and enquiries from faculty, students, staff.

• Highly organized with ability to prioritize assignments and work independently or in a team environment.

• 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 unit and ASC Communications systems. Strong attention to detail is a must.

• 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.