Advancement Communications and Events Officer

Queen's University

About The Position

The Advancement Communications and Events Officer works with Advancement colleagues and university partners to plan, promote, and deliver alumni- and donor-focused events and programs that support Advancement and university-wide priorities. The role develops communications plans and materials to increase awareness, participation, and engagement, including project plans and timelines, invitations and email communications, web copy, registration pages and forms, and other promotional content. It also project-manages events, coordinating programming, venues, vendors, guest experience, event materials, on-site delivery, and other logistical needs with internal and external partners. After events, the officer develops and administers surveys and supports the collection of feedback and results to assess effectiveness and inform future programming. Audiences include alumni, donors, prospective donors, volunteers, community members, and the Queen’s University Alumni Association and its branches. The position also develops communications strategies and plans to promote departments, programs, and services; conducts market scans; recommends communications focus; and sets measurement criteria. It manages ongoing publication and social media projects and serves as editor and publisher for print and digital publications. The schedule requires regular variable hours, including evenings and weekends. Travel is inherent to the position, and the role is subject to the Averaging and Travel Time Credit provisions of the USW Local 2010 Collective Agreement.

Requirements

Four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Trade certification, qualification, or ongoing learning to remain current with changes in technology or emerging fields.
More than 3 years and up to and including 5 years of experience.
G Driver’s Licence.
Valid passport with no travel restrictions.
Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field, typically acquired through advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or substantial work experience.
Ability to provide effective consultation and advice on complex or non-straightforward issues.
Interpersonal skills and ability to understand and influence others, adapt messages to different audiences, and build relationships, trust, and credibility.
Ability to prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to a high standard; anticipate risks to results and develop plans to address gaps.
Ability to participate in project teams and develop individual and unit project plans.
Ability to lead procedural or technological change within a unit and identify process improvements.
Ability to investigate problems, assess risks, contribute to solutions, and proactively remove obstacles.
Ability to apply equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and Indigenization considerations to decisions and planning.
Ability to promote a work environment free from sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination, and to show empathy for people who have experienced trauma.

Nice To Haves

Experience working at a post-secondary education institution.
Experience in data, trend analysis, and reporting.
Experience planning and/or managing projects.
Experience managing or developing strategic communication plans.
Experience planning, coordinating, and/or managing events or promotions.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Develop, organize, implement, and measure communication plans and initiatives that promote departments, programs, and services.
Provide input into the development and implementation of communication plans and organize communications-project workflows.
Scan media and work with the team to identify communications priorities.
Write articles and prepare information sessions, presentations, Q&As, fact sheets, and other training and learning materials.
Maintain departmental website content and edit and proofread copy for internal and external stakeholders.
Develop evaluation criteria, measure communications effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
Serve as editor and publisher for departmental print and digital publications.
Plan, organize, and facilitate departmental social events.
Coordinate and oversee the execution and logistics of information sessions, industry nights, workshops, orientations, alumni events, and other events.
Build relationships and liaise with departments, faculty, student leaders, external partners, and community resources.
Compile, organize, and analyze data to track the effectiveness of communications and engagement tools.
Plan and promote alumni- and donor-focused events and programs, coordinating logistics and delivery with internal and external partners.
Develop and administer post-event surveys and support the collection of participant feedback and event results.
Perform other duties in support of the department or unit.