Job description
This position contributes to both external and internal communications within the IRP Student Program. Part of the Transformation and Change Management (TCM) team the position works alongside the Program Office to deliver internal communications to the program team, and to ensure messaging is consistent. The Communications and Engagement Specialist plays a pivotal role in planning, supporting and delivering strategic and tactical communications and engagement activities for the IRP Student. This role works to enhance intra-team communications and engagements, and the visibility and reputation of the IRP Student program through building awareness, excitement, engagement and change readiness at all levels of the University. This position works closely with fellow members of the Transformation and Change Management team, the IRP Student Program Office, other members of the IRP Student team, University communicators and IRP Student leadership to deliver meaningful, coordinated, and innovative communications and engagement activities.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Manager, Communications & Engagement. Overall strategic direction is provided by the Director, Transformation & Change Management (IRP Student). The Communications & Engagement Specialist maintains strong relationships with the Associate Director, TCM UBCO and other UBCO based project team members. Functional direction may be provided by the TCM Associate Directors, Program Director; Student Leadership Team members, Project Sponsors and Project Managers within IRP Student. Works daily with the IRP Student Delivery Team members.
Work Performed
- Develops and implements communications workplans, editorial schedules and terms of reference.
- Defines clear objectives, deliverables and timelines. Identifies specific audiences, opportunities and challenges.
- Aligning with the overall IRP Student strategic communications guidelines, researches and writes content for communication deliverables, including but not limited to the IRP Student website, IRP Student team SharePoint site, PowerPoint presentations, , key messages, speaking notes, newsletters, internal team communications, and posters.
- Recommends approach for messaging to ensure alignment across channels with IRP Student program direction and communication plan.
- Ensures IRP Student approvals process is followed for all materials.
- Acts as a brand advocate to ensure UBC and IRP Student brand guidelines are maintained. Provides brand counsel to IRP Student staff.
- Develops PowerPoint presentations, including graphic elements, and icons, and maintains PowerPoint graphic and branding guidelines and standards.
- Plans and oversees video productions.
- Plans and writes social media content and digital signage content
- Plans, writes and designs posters and other promotional print pieces.
- Keeps current on evolving technologies and communication and engagement practices. Shares knowledge and experience related to communicating with students, faculty, and staff.
- Develops and maintains web content style guides, standards and templates while aligning to overall IRP Student Comms strategy.
- Manages architecture development and modifications, including layout changes/additions and ensures content revisions are consistent with IRP Student program direction and communication plans.
- Creates and monitors IRP Student web content, in a timely, consistent, efficient manner. Ensures adherence to IRP Student web governance plan, upholding the review/approval cycles required to update and refresh content and visual aspects.
- Creates and executes action plans for special campus engagement events, such as large-scale vendor demonstrations, town halls, open houses, webinars, call-in sessions, and others as required.
- Manages the tracking and analysis of engagement activities with student, staff and faculty audiences, generates reports to provide insights on activities so as to ensure comprehensive outreach and responsiveness to engagement gaps, conflicts and oversaturation.
- Coordinates activities and events to support IRP Student team engagement.
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships with UBC Okanagan communication groups/professionals/outlets to support the Program communication strategy and objectives.
Measurement
- Collaborates with the Manager, Communications & Engagement in developing, implementing, and analyzing engagement, communication and marketing metrics. Participates in evidence based decisions on project improvements, milestones, and achievements. Plans, recommends and delivers focus groups, surveys and other feedback and measurement tactics to measure engagement and audience perception.
- Develops and manages online tools to measure and report on digital publications and social media.
- Assesses the overall effectiveness of communication and engagement channels, proposes recommendations to improve overall effectiveness.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Inappropriate, ineffectual or poor messaging in communication, poorly designed communication media and flawed publicity could be damaging to revenue, recruitment, fundraising, member relations and public relations. The incumbent will be closely involved in the public aspects of IRP Student's operation.
Supervision Received
Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of high professional standards in the delivery of communication services. Is expected to anticipate potential issues or problems based on a thorough knowledge of departmental operations or plans and to develop effective solutions, supported by metrics.
Supervision Given
Provides functional direction to communications coordinators on campus and contract communication professionals, as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Membership in IABC, CPRS, BCAMA or BCAIM preferred. Accreditation in communications or public relations an asset.
- Experience in change management and engagement an asset. Experience with project management practices an asset. Experience in client relations, particularly working with internal client structure or agency environment is an asset.
- Demonstrated success in the planning, development and execution of communication materials including PowerPoint presentations, key messages, articles, social media content, speaking notes, newsletters and posters.
- Demonstrated success in website design and web content development.
- Demonstrated ability to write for various audiences and adapt writing style for various purposes.
- Creative design experience in developing website graphics, PowerPoint graphics and imagery, video, digital signage, graphics and design of online newsletters, posters, templates in Word and PowerPoint and other collateral.
- Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with various levels of senior administration, campus audiences, external agencies, and the public.
- Experience in publication management including developing editorial themes, writing content, building subscriber databases and production.
- Demonstrated experience in developing effective and proactive communication and engagement campaigns, developing ROI metrics, and providing analytic measurement of communication and engagement efforts.
- Demonstrated social media expertise to engage audiences.
- Advanced knowledge and working experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Drupal, Content Management Systems, graphics design applications and social media products.
Ability to communicate effectively with excellent oral and written communication skills and a high level of proficiency in English grammar. Ability to break down complex information and exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion when working with information of a confidential or sensitive nature.
Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to set priorities be detail-oriented, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
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. 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 communication through active listening and appreciative inquiry and 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.
About University of British Columbia
CEO: Arvind Gupta
Revenue: $2 to $5 billion (USD)
Size: 10000+ Employees
Type: College / University
Website: www.ubc.ca
Year Founded: 1915