Communications Strategist

University of British Columbia • Kelowna, BC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation (OVPRI) sets strategic research priorities for the UBC Okanagan (UBCO) campus, provides researchers with information, resources, services and tools to pursue world-leading impactful research and leads key initiatives to create new research opportunities and enhance the university’s research profile and reputation nationally and internationally. The Communications Strategist co-develops, supports and implements strategic communication plans that align with and support the strategic directions, priorities and goals of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio and UBC Okanagan. The Communications Strategist manages complex communications projects and initiatives, employs diverse communications tools and storytelling techniques and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to create and distribute compelling content that highlights UBCO's research and innovation activities in a variety of mediums formats and lengths, as appropriate.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., communications, journalism, marketing, writing, publishing).
• Minimum five years’ experience (e.g. communications/marketing consulting, public relations, writing/editing/publishing.
• Capacity for creativity and research; ability to exercise initiative, resourcefulness and judgment.
• Ability to think critically and make thoughtful, informed and thorough decisions.
• Strong planning, organizational, time-management, decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral, interpersonal, presentation and public relations skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write quickly and effectively for a diverse range of audiences and story-telling mediums.
• Exceptional ability to write clearly with, and proofread for, proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of communications, marketing, new media, public engagement and stakeholder relations.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communications plans that achieve business objectives.
• Ability to identify communications opportunities and select the most effective tool or tactic for a situation.
• Ability to conduct a needs assessment, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.
• Ability to determine the nature and urgency of inquiries and issues, and triage appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, assess and report on project status.
• Strong commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Knowledge of content management systems (WordPress) and user-experience (U/X) best practices.
• Advanced understanding of digital and social media platforms and content strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement digital performance metrics using Google Analytics and other relevant tools.
• Familiarity with project management tools, processes and software.
• Proficiency using Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Microsoft 360, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant graduate-level education will be considered an asset.
• Experience at a post-secondary institution or large, multi-faceted organization (hospital network, multi-site institutions etc.) considered an asset.
• Photography/videography experience and skills would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to, supports and implements strategic research communications plans for major projects and initiatives within and across the OVPRI portfolio.
• Plans, implements and evaluates promotional campaigns and tactics across a range of mediums, including online, video, print, and social media.
• Facilitates annual communications planning with core OVPRI units and prioritizes required communications strategies and their associated key deliverables and tactics for development.
• Assesses, establishes and maintains key performance metrics and prepares summaries for use in annual reports, town hall presentations and executive leadership updates.
• Ensures portfolio-wide communications tactics and creative deliverables meet UBC brand standards, and support and align with campus research priorities, goals and objectives and with UBCO’s strategic plan.
• Manages OVPRI-owned websites and reviews analytics to improve performance.
• Moderates social media channels by posting regular, engaging research-related content, engaging with and supporting followers and partners, and responding to direct messages, threads and inquiries.
• Maintains contact lists and templates in online newsletter platform (Envoke).
• Oversees and works to expand digital asset library (i.e. video, photography, logos, etc.) and extends rights and permissions for broader campus or institution-wide use.
• Manages access to OVPRI communications platforms (WordPress, Envoke, Qualtrics, Slido) and brand resources (logos, guidelines, templates, best-practices, etc.).
• Protects, promotes and ensures consistent and proper use of the OVPRI and UBCO brands in all communications plans, assets and tactics.
• Develops feature stories, profiles, announcements, news releases, backgrounders, Q&A’s to support strategic communications plans for target audiences, including media, government, industry and non-profit partners, regional business and community leaders, prospective research faculty, donors and sponsors.
• Creates effective presentations and marketing materials to ensure portfolio units, research faculty and the broader campus community are aware of core research priorities, funding opportunities, strategic partnerships infrastructure development initiatives and UBCO research success stories.
• Works with OVPRI units to plans and manage a portfolio-wide content calendar.
• Writes/edits/publishes content for OVPRI-owned digital channels (social media, websites, newsletters, bulletins) and tracks performance to adjust as necessary and ensure increased engagement.
• Designs, develops and publishes semi-annual Research & Innovation newsletter and coordinates portfolio-wide content submissions for monthly Research Digest newsletter.
• Utilizes UBC branded templates and visual content platforms (e.g. Canva) and works with creative services partners in University Relations to create social media graphics, charts/graphs, infographics, posters, etc.
• Develops key messages, backgrounders, info/tip sheets, and research impact statements, as directed by the Manager, Communications (OVPRI).
• Gathers information and develops key messages for briefing documents, PPT presentations, brochures, annual reports, fact sheets, research impact statements and speeches for internal and external audiences.
• Collaborates with internal and external service providers to plan and organize video and photo shoots.
• Fosters close working relationships with OVPRI portfolio unit managers, academic directors and staff, embedded faculty/admin unit communicators, development and alumni engagement, government relations, university relations (communications and marketing, public affairs, community engagement, ceremonies and events) to ensure timely and relevant sharing of information on overlapping projects and stay up to date on these partners’ own activities.
• Provides communications advice and project management support to core OVPRI portfolio units.
• Leads new web development projects for interdisciplinary research clusters and institutes.
• Coordinates internal and external communication resources (i.e. video production, graphic design) and oversees supporting contract relationships to ensure delivery of brand-compliant creative deliverables.
• Collaborates with UBCV-VPRI communications team on cross-campus, institution-wide research and innovation communications projects and initiatives.
• Participates in university committees and working groups, as required.
• Other duties, as required.

Benefits

• The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally.
• Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential.
• New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work.
• Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged.
• We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level