Operations & Communications Associate

IVEY BUSINESS SCHOOL FOUNDATION•London, ON

1d•CA$57,594 - CA$72,018•Onsite

About The Position

The Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value (the BSV Centre) has an ambitious strategic focus to equip current and future leaders to succeed in a world where sustainability drives success. The Operations Associate will play a critical role in delivering on this strategy by ensuring the Centre's programs, communications, and operations run seamlessly. The Operations & Communications Associate will support the coordination of current leadership programming and research initiatives, including the HBA Sustainability Certificate, Student Research Projects, and the Student Club Hub, while contributing to the development of new initiatives. The role serves as the operational backbone of the Centre, leading the planning and execution of flagship events such as the Ivey Sustainability Conference and the PhD Sustainability Academy, and driving the Centre's marketing and communications efforts across digital platforms, newsletters, and stakeholder engagement channels. The Operations and Communications Associate also holds key accountabilities for managing the Centre's day-to-day finances, including budget reconciliation, expense reporting, procurement, and grant application support, as well as providing administrative support to ensure compliance with institutional and research ethics requirements.

Requirements

A University degree in business or a related field.
2-3 years’ experience in a coordinator role or in a related field.
Interest or expertise in sustainability, corporate social responsibility or social impact
Possesses a reputation for resourcefulness with a strong sense of accountability and initiative.
Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, using good judgment in assessing difficult situations.
Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the Centre’s events and activities.
High degree of professionalism and diplomacy with outstanding ability to work effectively and efficiently with internal and external clients at all levels of management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and confidence dealing with all levels of an organization.
Strong attention to detail with an ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.
Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills.
Proven knowledge and expertise in using library research database systems.
Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite components.
Experience maintaining and updating website content, with an aptitude to learn new software/programs quickly.

Nice To Haves

Experience in project management or online communications with a knowledge of social media tools and digital marketing is considered an asset.
Ability to plan and manage events of various sizes, familiarity with large scale events an asset.

Responsibilities

Develop and refine the Centre's communication strategies in consultation with the Director, Strategic Partnerships and in alignment with Ivey Communications.
Develop and implement digital marketing strategies with the aim of building a highly engaged online audience, in consultation with the Director, Strategic Partnerships and in alignment with Ivey Communications.
Create and distribute a quarterly newsletter using Campaign Monitor, including brainstorming, gathering, and curating relevant content, designing with engaging visuals and copy, and managing the subscriber journey.
Write and publish articles highlighting key developments and stories from the Centre; recruit contributors and coordinate article submissions from staff, alumni, and partners.
Maintain the BSV website, including developing, editing, and posting content, while seeking opportunities to improve navigability and functionality.
Manage the BSV Centre pipeline of research-related publications and news items.
Develop and maintain the Centre's social media presence across LinkedIn and other channels, including managing community engagement, member requests, and content updates.
Identify and lead any technical maintenance requirements and/or improvement efforts across digital platforms.
Analyze web traffic and newsletter engagement metrics and report on performance, providing strategic recommendations.
Prepare donor stewardship materials.
Assist with the preparation of project proposals, grant applications, and agreements in collaboration with BSV's Director – Strategic Partnerships.
Support public relations activities for the Centre, including responding to media and external inquiries, external communications, and stakeholder engagement.
Prepare promotional and informational materials including brochures, reports, and program summaries.
Plan, coordinate, and execute the Centre's teaching, research, and outreach events, including the Ivey Sustainability Conference, HBA Sustainability Certificate, and the PhD Sustainability Academy (in collaboration with the central events team, where possible).
Coordinate and arrange all logistics and supplies according to event requirements, including venue, IT support, catering, travel, accommodation, and parking, and finalize all event details and contracts with appropriate stakeholders.
Arrange guest speakers and coordinate arrangements by providing logistical and administrative support for all aspects of their visit and presentations.
Manage all aspects of events in accordance with projected budgets, monitoring and tracking expense claims.
Plan and organize in-person or virtual events, including conferences and workshops, that support stakeholder engagement in Ivey research.
Work closely with the Director, Strategic Partnerships to develop project plans and strategies to support the coordination and delivery of existing student initiatives (especially the HBA Sustainability Certificate, Student Research Projects, and the Student Club Hub) and the development of new initiatives.
Work with internal and external stakeholders, including companies, undergraduate students, and faculty, to partner on research and case study projects.
Organize and coordinate internal research team meetings at the required frequency, liaising with stakeholders and collaborators, fostering cross-project knowledge sharing.
Collaborate with the BSV Centre team to draft and submit Research Ethics protocols.
Ensure research data (e.g., research documents, video recordings) is stored safely and securely in compliance with Research Ethics requirements.
Support visiting researchers, post-docs, and PhD students as they apply for positions, travel, and become acquainted with Ivey.
Manage financial operations of the Centre, including budget reconciliation, creating expense reports, and expense administration.
Develop and maintain financial reports to support effective management and planning of the Centre's activities.
Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of student interns.
Manage scheduling, travel arrangements, and logistics for the Centre team.
Support coordination efforts across teams and projects as needed.
Other administrative tasks as required.