Director, Brand Strategy and Marketing

Date Posted: 02/16/2024
Req ID: 36062
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physl Ed.
Department: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physl Ed
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is nationally recognized for developing and advancing knowledge about the interactions of physical activity, movement and health through outstanding undergraduate and graduate education programs, cutting-edge research and the delivery of sport, recreation and high-performance athletic opportunities for students, staff, faculty and community members across the University’s three campuses. In delivering on this multifaceted mission, which includes a large portfolio of curricular and co-curricular programs, the Faculty is guided by values of integrity, respect, equity, diversity, inclusivity, leadership and excellence. https://kpe.utoronto.ca/  

The Strategic Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement team is responsible for developing, planning and implementing a wide variety of marketing and communications initiatives aimed at heightening awareness of the Faculty in teaching and research and for raising awareness and promoting participation in the University’s Sport & Recreation programming. The team oversees the development and coordination of strong, coherent and unified messages and branding in all Faculty communications for both internal and external audiences to achieve the Faculty’s strategic goals in recruitment, student-engagement, public affairs and advancement. In doing so, we work to ensure that the values of equity, inclusivity, accessibility and diversity are reflected in all of our communications about programs, services, facility operations, policies and use of resources.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement, the Director is the resident expert in the areas of brand strategy and marketing strategy. The Director is responsible for the development and implementation of a complex and comprehensive brand marketing strategy to enhance the Faculty’s image and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally as among the top Kinesiology faculties worldwide.

The Director provides leadership for a large array of curricular (academic and research) and co-curricular (sport and recreation activity) program-specific and event-related marketing plans and will have responsibility for digital and print advertising, social media and the Faculty’s web presence.

The Director, Brand Strategy and Marketing is responsible for providing senior marketing communications expertise and bringing together to the many constituent groups and stakeholders who are focused on developing, advancing and disseminating knowledge through education, research and practice. The Director actively participates in senior-level decision-making and is responsible for liaising and working closely with senior management on marketing communications, ensuring appropriate consultation and processes are adhered to. The incumbent will have a strong understanding of the technical work necessary for the development of impactful strategies and their successful execution.

As a leader and mentor, the Director manages a staff of high-caliber professionals and assumes overall responsibility for human resources, labour relations and financial management, including dispute resolution and compliance with the relevant collective agreements.

The incumbent also represents the Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Public Relations at university meetings and within the Faculty as needed.

EDUCATION:

University degree in marketing communications, related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant, progressive experience in brand strategy, management and marketing.
• Experience in academic, athletics and recreation and/or health and wellness environments preferred.
• Demonstrated skills and experience managing and leading a hybrid team, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Experience developing and managing budgets and negotiating contracts.
• Expert in-depth knowledge of print, digital and broadcast marketing trends and best practices.
• Demonstrated success creating and executing national and international paid advertising campaigns and digital marketing and social media strategies.
• Experience using web content management systems.
• Experience working in a highly complex organization.
• Experience with leading and managing large, complex and multiple projects simultaneously, and scaling digital campaigns
• Hands-on experience with marketing tools, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Hootsuite, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Google Analytics

SKILLS:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; excellent oral and presentation skills
• Highly customer service oriented with sensitivity to various levels of expectation from a diverse community of stakeholders, including students, community members, staff, faculty and alumni.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong in negotiation, persuasion and ability to deal professionally with tension and conflict.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, mature judgement, political acumen, and diplomacy using well-honed relationship management skills
• Excellent critical thinking, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated creative and strategic leadership skills
• Effective supervisory skills and ability to set priorities and foster a strong team environment including the ability to inspire staff and colleagues toward the achievement of a goal
• Strong time management, administrative and highly developed organization skills
• Ability to maintain professional decorum and make sound judgements under pressure.
• Ability to interact with senior members of the University and the business community.

OTHER:

• Fluency in marketing channel metrics and quantitative and qualitative stakeholder research
• Familiarity with developments in artificial intelligence (AI) related to brand and marketing.
• Self-motivated and accountable
• Ability to provide marketing services for diverse stakeholders

Closing Date: 03/10/2024,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $102,763 - $119,892 -- Broadband Salary Range: $102,763 - $171,273
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations