Communications & Marketing Specialist

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location

Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Position

The Communications and Marketing Specialist will play a pivotal role in developing and executing comprehensive communication and marketing strategies for iSMART  (State-of-Art research Centre) and ST Innovations (Business Centre) centres at the University of Alberta. This individual will be responsible for creating and maintaining a positive brand image, engaging with target audiences (Nationally and Internationally), and driving effective communication across various channels. The role requires a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills.

The Communications and Marketing Specialist is a key member of the team, reporting directly to the Executive Director/Principal Investigator of iSMART and ST Innovations Centres. As a crucial liaison, the incumbent plays an instrumental role in supporting Principal Investigators, Executive Directors, Business and Operations Managers.

The Communications and Marketing Specialist leads and orchestrates a spectrum of communication, marketing, digital, and creative services. The role demands a versatile professional capable of seamlessly toggling between independent and team-oriented tasks, adeptly managing workloads, and skillfully prioritizing assignments with a keen eye for detail. Success in this position hinges on a strong organizational acumen and strategic planning capabilities, coupled with the ability to execute impactful promotions across social media, print, and traditional media platforms.

The position is integral to ensuring that a diverse range of written, visual, and digital materials are not only clear but also engaging for a broad spectrum of audiences. The incumbent will be tasked with creating and maintaining project-specific websites and overseeing the overall web presence, contribute to the planning and execution of events and tours, administer surveys for both administrative and strategic purposes, and assume responsibility for crafting and refining grant reports as necessitated by the ongoing initiatives.

Duties

Marketing and Communication Strategies

• Assist in the planning and execution of the annual plan for the Communications Unit that aligns with key objectives in the iSMART and ST Innovations Strategy, and supports the mission, vision and values for both centres.
• Coordinate with iSMART and ST Innovations centres and third-party consultants, as needed, to advise and assist with planning and execution of communications strategies and plans that support centres research and business objectives, and help to protect and manage the centres, brand and reputation.
• Devise and lead comprehensive communication, marketing, and creative service strategies for the iSMART and ST Innovations centres.
• Devise and implement a robust strategy to identify target audiences and engage key stakeholders (academic researchers, clinicians, other institutions and businesses) for both centres.
• Develop a marketing plan that includes a mix of online and offline channels.

Media and Communications responsibilities

• Manage both platforms websites (smartnetworkcentre.ca and stinnovations.ca) and other online networks or future websites.
• Take charge of day-to-day communication activities, providing leadership in the conceptualization, creation, and dissemination of materials.
• Develop compelling and relevant content for websites, social media, press releases, and marketing materials.
• Manage and enhance the brand image for each centre by creating consistent messaging and visual elements across various platforms.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets to secure positive coverage and manage public perception.
• Develop and implement social media strategies to increase brand awareness, engage with the audience, and drive traffic to the centres.
• Develop and manage advertising campaigns across various channels, ensuring consistency and effectiveness.
• Handle public relations activities, including crisis communication, press releases, and reputation management.
• Engage with key stakeholders to gather feedback, address concerns, and build positive relationships.
• Organize and coordinate events, facility tours, program launches, and iSMART Talks.
• Identify opportunities to position the centres and their services effectively in the market.

Analytics and Reporting

• Conduct in-depth market research to understand audience behavior and market trends.
• Utilize analytics tools to measure and analyze the performance of marketing campaigns, providing insights for improvement and decision-making processes. 

Administration

• Create project timelines, oversee and enforce project deadlines and deliverables, and facilitate the successful closure of projects.
• Efficiently manage personal schedule while keeping immediate supervisors updated on activities and work progress.
• Cultivate and sustain productive relationships with colleagues, peers, immediate supervisors, senior management, and the campus community.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of safety codes, standards, and systems relevant to the specified specialization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in communications, journalism, or a related field. Consideration will be given to equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in a relevant discipline, including expertise in writing and coordinating visual and digital communications for public engagement preferably in a research or similar environment.
• Certifications in web content management, business communications, digital communications, or adherence to writing style guidelines are considered assets.
• Familiarity with business intelligence is advantageous.
• Proficiency in leveraging social media channels for marketing and communications content delivery.
• Ability to adeptly handle complex issues, including interpersonal concerns.
• Proven experience in writing about complex topics for both expert and non-expert audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management skills, demonstrating the ability to plan and efficiently manage multiple complex tasks with keen attention to detail.
• High personal effectiveness and initiative in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Capability to work effectively in collaborative team settings and independently in a self-directed environment.
• Ability to interact with and provide advice and support to individuals at all levels in a dynamic work environment.
• Strong capacity to work independently with broad directives and minimal supervision.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise professional judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to support other team members and related units or teams.
• Proficiency in solving complex problems.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Google applications, graphic design principles, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite programs, particularly InDesign and Photoshop.
• Openness to learning, developing, and embracing new challenges and assignments.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.