Communications Manager

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Information Services, Level B

Job Title
Communications Manager

Department
Emeritus College Administrative Support nearmejobs.eu VP Academic

Compensation Range
$6,551.00 – $9,418.83 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
March 25, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Apr 30, 2025

This is a part-time, term position at 0.8 FTE (28 hours per week) and salary indicated above will be prorated accordingly.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The Communications Manager develops and implements strategic communication plans for the Emeritus College (EC). The incumbent leads the development of short-term and long-term communications projects that align with the UBC and EC Strategic Plan.

This position is responsible for managing implementation of communication plans, contributes to the development of communications best practices for the college, provides tactical expertise to the College’s Executive, Council and committee members, and ensures all communications activities and materials comply with UBC brand standards. The incumbent employs diverse communications tools and techniques to develop and implement an integrated strategy for communications that can engage many different audiences through a variety of communication platforms. The incumbent is also responsible for the management of the EC website and related sites.

Organizational Status
The UBC Emeritus College (EC) was established in 2018, and is a new and developing unit within UBC. The College seeks to enrich the lives and continuing intellectual engagement of retired faculty members granted emeritus status by the UBC Senate and others granted membership of the UBC Emeritus College. It encourages Emeriti to participate in UBC affairs, and seeks to improve the profile of both the College and UBC in local, national, and international communities. The Emeritus College is part of the VP Academic portfolio.
Work Performed

• In consultation with the Executive Team, leads the development and implementation of a strategic communications plan that reflects and supports the unit’s goals and priorities.
• Works with volunteer members of the committees and staff to generate relevant communication ideas and ensure alignment on messaging, audience, delivery and best practices for external communications and events.
• Creates, edits and maintains a wide range of communications materials by liaising with content contributors, committee chairs, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Works closely with Events and Engagement Coordinator to promote events organized by the volunteers of the College.
• Manages all aspects of communications projects, including developing project timelines and budgets, monitoring projects to completion, preparing progress and final reports, and making recommendations.
• Ensures that communications plans and their execution align with UBC-wide brand and communications guides and protocols.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of current communications plans and initiatives, and makes recommendations for future improvements.
• Provides consultation and advice to all members of the unit on best practices in communications.
• Develops intuitive and easy-to-use materials that allow volunteers and staff to handle some communications tasks independently.
• Provides tactical communications expertise to staff members and volunteers as required, including writing and editing (e.g. speaking notes, web content, annual report content, proposals, etc.), preparing digital presentations, supporting external communications, etc.
• Coordinates communications within the College and with external partners to ensure the committee members and partners are aware of key priorities and initiatives.
• Translates complex information into clear, concise, and engaging stories and news items for a variety of audiences and for different communications platforms, including websites, newsletters, printed format, social media, etc.
• Determines methods for collection and maintenance of digital assets such as photos and videos to support communications of the College’s identified priorities.
• Manages and maintains the College’s website and related sites.
• Writes, designs, manages and edits web content. Manages production of website elements including graphics, photos, and videos. Develops and maintains web content style guides, standards and templates.
• Coordinates with UBC IT Web Services to determine modifications of website design and functionality, and to ensure a level of performance and maintenance.
• Collects data on website analytics and assesses performance metrics for communications initiatives.
• Actively seeks out partnerships and develops relationships with other campus communicators in order to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
• Keeps current with major communications trends, issues, and technologies.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position represents the Emeritus College as well as the University, and is required to exercise professional judgment, maturity, collegiality and initiative while undertaking all responsibilities and developing relationships and partnerships. Errors in judgment or action could directly affect UBC’s reputation with emeriti, students, faculty, staff, partners and the broader community. Inappropriate actions, errors in performance or indiscretions in judgment can negatively impact the Emeritus College’s working relationships and credibility with a range of critical internal and external partners, and may result in legal action or negative public relations, incur inappropriate costs, and/or jeopardize the unit’s reputation.
Supervision Received
This position reports administratively to the Administrative Manager at Emeritus College and operates under the strategic guidance of the Executive Team. Works with members of the College to achieve the communications goals. Works with considerable latitude and minimal supervision. Must be self-directed, able to manage project priorities and work independently. The incumbent is expected to show initiative and creativity in reaching set goals. Work is reviewed periodically to assess performance and ensure completion of project milestones.
Supervision Given
May participate in the recruitment, hiring, training and supervision of Work Learn students to support the communications portfolio of the unit. Provides training to support staff involved in specific communications projects as needed. May give direction to external service providers.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
– Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

– Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

-Accreditation in communications, marketing, or PR an asset.

-Proven experience in strategic communications planning, project management, and implementation of a broad range of digital and non-digital communications projects for a variety of audiences.

-Demonstrated ability to work in a project-based environment, manage multiple and concurrent projects, set priorities, and meet project deadlines.

-Demonstrated working knowledge of the principles and practices of communications, new media, public relations, and branding.

-Demonstrated ability to write quickly and fluently for a variety of audiences and communications platforms (e.g. print, websites, Twitter and other social media, etc.).

-Ability to accurately proofread for English language usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

-Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, presentation, and public relations skills.

-High level of initiative, creativity, attention to detail and judgment in all communications work.

-Critical thinker who can make well-informed, thoughtful and thorough decisions.

-Ability to use tact and discretion when working with information of a confidential or sensitive nature.

-Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with various levels of administration, campus audiences, external agencies, and the public.

-Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment that is collaborative, complex, and with a diverse range of stakeholders.

-Experience working with web content management systems, including Drupal and WordPress.

-Demonstrated ability to design and implement digital performance metrics using Google Analytics and other relevant tools.

-Demonstrated working knowledge of graphic and web design principles required. Ability to use desktop publishing software at an advanced level, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.).

-Experience with learning management systems or similar enterprise systems an asset.

-Knowledge and experience in website development, CSS and HTML considered an asset.

-Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel