Senior Specialist, Strategic Marketing & Communications (Transdisciplinary Scholarship)

Description

The Office of the Vice-President (Research) is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Senior Specialist, Strategic Marketing and Communications (Transdisciplinary Scholarship) for approximately 1 year with the potential for renewal.

The Senior Specialist reports to the Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President (Research). The position works closely with the VPR and Institutes of Transdisciplinary Scholarship (ITS) teams to promote the activities and outcomes of ITS and transdisciplinary scholarship at UCalgary.

The Senior Specialist will support transdisciplinary scholarship at UCalgary by developing and implementing a wide range of marketing and communications tactics. These include marketing and communications plans, strategy and content development, publications, advertising campaigns, virtual and in-person events, website management and content development, stakeholder relations, and coordinating key files with community engagement. The Senior Specialist will provide communications leadership for ITS and select research groups, and recommend strategies and actions for priority strategic initiatives.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Marketing and Communications:

• Develop and implement high-quality and timely communication and marketing strategies, plans and content, including performance evaluation and status reporting.
• Lead and implement a broad range of campaigns, publications, community events and other communication and marketing initiatives to build a positive reputation for Transdisciplinary Scholarship at UCalgary.
• Works collaboratively with other university communicators to ensure alignment of communication efforts and to enhance Transdisciplinary Scholarship portfolio.
• Proactively seeks out transdisciplinary research stories and shares them with external and internal audiences, contributes regularly to university publications.
• Responsible for the writing and editing (including gathering facts, planning, researching) of internal and external communication pieces.
• Produces high-quality communications materials, including reports, speaking notes, news releases, media advisories, media kits, web content, etc.
• Ensure communication strategies promote a positive image and reputation for the Institutes of Transdisciplinary Scholarship and the VPRO portfolio.

Stakeholder Relations:

• Develops and manages relationships with key university stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Ensures stakeholder communications are accurate, timely, informative, and professional.
• Develops productive relationships with units across campus.
• Works professionally and collaboratively with other campus communicators, acting as the liaison between ITS and other units, ensuring alignment of initiatives and communication protocols.
• Manages complex issues and challenging interpersonal interactions with composure and diplomacy.
• Seeks expert opinions and advice where appropriate and is considered reliable.
• Proactively develops and maintains trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with colleagues and staff across the university community and external agencies.
• Manages relationships of outside communications contractors, freelancers, and design providers when necessary.

Communications Project Management:

• Lead communications projects for select strategic initiatives, including convening cross-functional teams, chairing meetings, and tracking work progress to completion.
• Lead content review/validation/user testing/refinement (as needed); secure approval for all collateral content and artwork prior to production/publication.
• Provide recommendations to establish or change procedures and best practices where required.
• Work with external vendors and suppliers as required to ensure project completion.
• Deal effectively with complex issues, using judgment, common sense and problem-solving skills.

Leadership:

• Provide coaching, training and supervision to other junior members of the team and students.
• Lead project teams of various sizes for projects and initiatives of importance to ITS and the VPR portfolio.
• Lead and supervise workgroups on projects important to the research enterprise.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A post-secondary degree in business, marketing, communications or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 8+ years experience in marketing and communications.
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to junior level staff and student roles.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing strategic communications and marketing programs, which include effective creation and execution of large-scale projects and campaigns aimed at targeted audiences.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, visual design and production management; and have proven experience in producing a variety of communication vehicles, including web-based tools, aimed at various audiences.
• Experience in event planning, including media, communications, public relations and outreach events.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles; ability to distill complex information, listen effectively and to deliver messages that have the desired impact.
• Knowledge and expertise in formulating competitive strategies and practices, through an understanding of best practices and industry trends.
• Strong understanding of social media and how to leverage social media to strategic advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to handle working with staff at all levels, to work under pressure and to handle numerous priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong organization and project management skills, excellent attention to detail and ability to work with design, and printing agencies.
• Confidence to lead initiatives and provide counsel to senior leaders, and to work collaboratively with others on campus.

Application Deadline:  August 16, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.