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International Communications Specialist

University of Waterloo

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Overview:

Reporting to the Associate Director, International Operations, the International Communications Specialist will plan, implement, and evaluate an integrated marketing and communications program for the purposes of advancing the Waterloo International (WI) and the University of Waterloo’s international goals, image and reputation. The incumbent will produce communications in a wide array of formats through web, social media, and other digital and non-digital platforms. Target audiences are diverse and include University of Waterloo stakeholders (students, staff, faculty, Faculties, Academic Support Units), domestic stakeholders (including Global Affairs Canada, local community organizations, and domestic organizations involved in international education and research), and international stakeholders (including governments, universities, and prospective students). In addition, the Specialist will assist in preparing and copy-editing (including formatting and detailed editing) reports, briefing notes, and other deliverables produced by WI ensuring both brand compliance and a high standard of report quality.

The Specialist will:

  • Support WI’s strategic objectives;
  • Act as an internal marketing and strategic communications expert;
  • Ensure content is of high quality, is consistent with University policies, guidelines, and best practices and meets accessibility, copyright, and other legal compliance requirements;
  • Collect data, analyze trends, and provide data-driven recommendations on improvement of communication and marketing to WI management;
  • Collaborate and coordinate with communication and marketing colleagues across campus to advance WI goals with the broader University community, in particular with those in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International;
  • Work closely with WI staff and management to identify news and develop stories and content about WI activities and initiatives;
  • Provide marketing and communications support to WI staff and management;
  • Plan and implement WI outreach activities on campus;
  • Assist with other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities:

Communication and Marketing Strategy
  • Develop, implement, and maintain/update a comprehensive WI communication and marketing strategy that includes considerations for print, digital, and social media channels
  • Based on the approved strategy, develop, implement, and assess, marketing campaigns and action plans designed to reach target audiences
  • Develop WI’s brand positioning and key messaging
  • Complete and periodically assess market segmentation, target market identification and positioning
  • Develop, implement, and maintain content strategies and editorial calendars to guide digital and non-digital communications and marketing content design and development
  • Conduct environmental scans, content audits, competitive analyses, gap analyses, or other
  • research to ensure WI objectives are being met
  • Research new technologies and social media opportunities to inform decision-making and to keep abreast of industry best practices
  • Monitor and report on metrics for web, digital and social media initiatives, campaigns, brand positioning, and other communication and marketing activities
  • Measure the effectiveness of web and other digital communications using e.g. Google analytics and other qualitative and quantitative data and measures to recommend and implement changes
Website and Social Media Management
  • Be the lead contributor for the Waterloo International website and social media sites, writing and maintaining content as well as ensuring relevance, timeliness, and effective alignment with strategic goals
  • Use social media to ensure an active WI presence engaging and supporting key stakeholders and audiences when appropriate
  • Maintain WI website content by adding news articles, updating content and keeping agreements database and map updated
  • Work with Faculties, Research Institutes and Centres, and Academic Support Units to identify and leverage relevant content created by other groups; solicit cross-promotional opportunities
  • Ensure accurate, effective messaging, brand compliance, and adhere to AODA standards
  • Use advanced features within the Waterloo Content Management System (WCMS) including images, tables, and other effective elements to publish web content and updates
Content Creation, Copy Editing, Review, and Publications
  • Provide editorial service by reviewing various types of documents for WI staff to ensure accuracy, lay-out, and consistency of voice (e.g. agreements, delegation visit itineraries, country briefings, memos, reports etc.)
  • Conduct research, interviews, and fact-checking for the preparation of media content
  • Develop high-quality media content for web, social media, and other digital and non-digital platforms, ensuring that sufficient content is developed to maintain a consistent media presence
  • Develop content (visual and text-based) for WI print, digital, and social media channels in conformance with industry best practice and with University standards and guidelines
  • Prepare content for, and manage development of: an annual report, a department newsletter, presentation slide decks, email newsletters, country profile pages, brochures, and other marketing collateral, as required
  • Collaborate closely with WI team members and other campus stakeholders to develop relevant media content
  • Lead development and posting of media content for the purposes of highlighting delegation visits, and WI event participation, ensuring that stories are posted in a timely manner
  • Ensure all media content that is developed is appropriate and consistent with the goals, objectives, and positions of WI and the University of Waterloo
  • Assist in ensure WI’s adherence to the University of Waterloo brand compliance and style guides
  • Work with Creative Services to update and develop new print and digital communications including reports, brochures, posters, e-invitations, and graphics
Outreach, Staff Collaboration, and Other Duties
  • Work closely and collaboratively with communications and marketing colleagues from across campus, and in particular with those in the Office of Research to amplify communications, seek cross-promotional opportunities, and to further the goals of WI and the internationalization goals of the University of Waterloo
  • Work with university and community partners, facilitate media contacts, and seek opportunities to advance WI messaging through various media sources
  • Working with others on the Operations Team, monitor WI’s generic inbound email inboxes. Assess how to best funnel email requests to other WI staff units for handling. Respond to email inquiries, when appropriate, in a timely and professional manner. Organize and file completed email inquiries. Track and report metrics for inbound email communication
  • Assist the various Waterloo International Teams (Agreements, International Relations, Safety Abroad, and Operations) with tasks as assigned
  • Assist with reviewing co-op student resumes and applications and communicating with candidates on their status during the application process; supervise co-op students as assigned
  • Assist with reviewing and evaluating other types of documents such as funding applications, exchange requests, and agreements
  • Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations or related field or equivalent education and experience
  • 5 years of work experience in strategic/digital communications and marketing role with strong working knowledge of several digital platforms. Previous work experience in a post-secondary institution is preferred
  • Significant experience in document editing, formatting, and publications
  • Demonstrated prior experience managing website content (maintenance, design, editing, creating) for one or more entities
  • Demonstrated success in developing effective digital/social media content including daily execution
  • Expert knowledge of social media planning, trends, analytics, technology, and best practices
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent copy editing and proofreading skills; storytelling experience
  • Demonstrated understanding of best practices in website architecture, navigation, user interface, usability, accessibility standards, and QA testing
  • Demonstrated ability to support data-driven decision-making
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • A positive team approach to working with colleagues and internal and external partners
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision while being highly productive
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and Google Suite
  • Website content management systems (2+ website platforms and/or WCMS, Google Sites)
  • Social media platforms (namely Twitter) and scheduling tools (Hootsuite)
  • Email marketing distribution platforms (eg. MailChimp)
  • Online Analytics
  • Adobe Photoshop and/or Canva
  • HTML writing/editing is beneficial
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • Photo editing and image creation
  • Video editing and film creation
  • Creative writing
  • Strong editorial skills
  • Strong communication skills – oral and written
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Effective time management skills
  • Effective relationship-building/collaborator abilities
  • Intermittent work outside the normal operating hours of the institution is required in order to communicate with individuals in international time zones and to attend and cover events

Equity Statement:

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

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