Communications Specialist

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level A

Job Title
Communications Specialist

Department
Communications | VP Research and Innovation Office

Compensation Range
$5,622.33 - $8,081.00 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
May 27, 2024

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

Job End Date

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 Description Summary
Responsible for developing and supporting multiple web properties, and for generating content across various platforms and channels. Executes communications and marketing activities to raise the profile of UBC research activities, achievements and opportunities.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Senior Manager, Communications. Works closely with the other members of the VPRI communications team and VPRIO colleagues, portfolio unit staff, research faculty and staff and campus communicators to deliver objectives.
Work Performed

• Writes, curates, updates and organizes content for the VPRI research website in consultation with the VPRI communications team and colleagues across the VPRI portfolio. Coordinates with communications colleagues across the university around research announcements, including awards and funding recipients and opportunities.
• Provides advice and assistance to units within the VPRI portfolio and to research excellence clusters for the ongoing development and maintenance of their web presence. Provides direct technical CMS support and liaises with VPRIO Communications manager and UBC Web Services to develop new web functionality and troubleshoot technical problems for existing sites.
• Project manages new website creation, using knowledge of web standards and excellent interpersonal skills to liaise with site owners and UBC Web Services throughout the project.
• Researches, manages, and develops web-based communication strategies and materials using knowledge of graphic and web design, social media tools, web content management systems and analytics. Creates and delivers messages in various web-based platforms.
• Researches, writes and edits a wide range of communication and marketing materials, including research and innovation stories, briefing materials, funding reports, communications kits and social media content. Identifies the most appropriate communication channel for messages and distributes and implements as needed. Provides research, fact-checking and proofreading support where needed.
• Designs and produces various promotional materials to support the needs of VPRIO. Materials include digital and physical signage, presentations, campaign materials, promotional products and exhibition collateral. Coordinates photo and video shoots as needed at laboratories and other research-related sites. Ensures communication and marketing materials are compliant and align with the UBC brand.
• Responsible for executing special events in support of the VPRIO’s strategic vision and objectives with the VPRIO communications team and beyond. Coordinates logistics: creates event website and materials; oversees on-site event logistics and attends functions; and troubleshoots problems and authorizes/implements corrective measures.
• Provides updates on communications activities at regular meetings with the VPRI communications team. Liaises where needed with UBC Brand and Marketing and other campus communicators.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position requires a high level of discretion, judgment and initiative. Documentation and information that passes through the VPRIO is often highly sensitive and/or confidential; therefore candidates will be required to show the utmost discretion. Poor judgment could have significant negative implications for the VPRIO and the university in general. Errors and poor judgement could also impact relationships between VPRIO and units within the portfolio, as well as harm relationships and trust with the UBC research community.

The position works under the general direction of a supervisor and work is reviewed in terms of conformance with established standards and specific objectives. The position will make decisions regarding the design, writing, and editing of communication and marketing materials and will make recommendations on appropriate communications vehicles to achieve stated goals. Judgement in prioritization will be required to achieve the goals of the unit.
Supervision Received
Reports to, and takes direction from, the Senior Manager, Communications for day-to-day activities.
Supervision Given
No supervision required.
Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four 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

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline
• Minimum of four years’ experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience using web content management systems, such as Drupal
• Knowledge of graphic and web design principles
• Experience in creating and delivering messages in various platforms
• Ability to compose clear and concise correspondence, reports, presentations, and other written materials
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to adapt writing styles for various purposes, for different media requirements and for different audiences
• Ability to effectively use design software is an asset (Adobe Creative Suite preferred)
• Ability to effectively use email, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software at an advanced level
• Experience working with social media tools in an organizational and/or corporate environment to engage audiences
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships
• Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous and effective manner
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and workshops
• Effective project management skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail