Senior Communications Associate

Competition 2389

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

This position has a term length of 2 years with the possibility of extension and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at 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 FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Strategic Communications

The Strategic Communications portfolio enables the University of Alberta to deliver on the vision and goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan. We illustrate the value that the U of A provides to our community and to society as a whole.

In service of the One University strategy, we work with academic and operational leaders to tie their operational and strategic plans into the larger university strategy in a way that moves the dial on important measures of success. As a centre of expertise, we view our communications from end to end throughout the life cycles of our important communities. We integrate the seemingly disparate initiatives into a master narrative that showcases the unique aspects of the University of Alberta.

Whether we work directly with partners on their initiatives, or support their work through portfolio-initiated projects, we connect the dots from strategies across the institution – especially where they connect to the larger institutional goals – and draw them together into a compelling and consistent narrative of one of the Top 5 universities in Canada.

The University of Alberta's Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta is one of the world's leading institutions of business education and research.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Partner, Communications and Marketing, the Senior Communications Associate plays a key role in advancing the Alberta School of Business’s brand and reputation through strategic communications associated with executive teams and high-profile projects across the university. The position is accountable for communications strategy development, projects and initiatives, and the research, conceptualization and writing of communications strategies and other materials.

The Senior Communications Associate manages quick deliverables and anticipates and addresses long-term strategic opportunities and issues. Coordination of resources, project management and quality control is necessary across marketing and communications Centres of Expertise.

Duties 

• Develops and prioritizes communication strategies and tactics. Develops a strong understanding of the needs and strategic priorities of the university.
• Develops consistent, brand and mission-centric messaging and effective tactics for delivering those messages and plays a key role in developing and protecting the “voice” and narrative of the university.
• Responsible for advancing the university’s brand and reputation through the planning and creation of audience-centric, research-based communications and marketing deliverables for university leadership and project leads.
• Researches, writes and edits content of the highest quality across multiple communications genres, including speeches, reports, emails, articles, brochures, social media, websites, blogs, etc.
• Reviews content to ensure compliance with target outcomes, university strategic priorities and integrated marketing and communications strategy.
• Develops and manages strong relationships with clients and collaborators through effective communication, client service and negotiation to ensure deliverables are met.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Possesses at least 5-7 years progressive communications and marketing experience within a complex, multi-collaborator organization, preferably post-secondary education.
• Demonstrated excellence developing and executing complex communications and marketing strategies.
• Experience in creating strategic content for a wide-range of audiences across multiple formats.
• Excellent research skills, able to translate complex ideas and strategies into compelling speeches, reports and other forms of messaging and storytelling.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable communications and marketing plans.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with proven abilities to coordinate team efforts across all levels.
• Able to operate at both the strategic and tactical level.
• Experience within a complex, multi-collaborator organization.
• Able to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Able to identify target audience preferences and build content to meet them.
• Experience in project management, negotiation and collaborator relations.
• High degree of professionalism and judgment.
• Diplomatic, flexible, collaborative advisor.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Expertise in the management and oversight of publications, newswriting and/or other forms of storytelling strongly preferred.
• Experience in communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences
• Ability to think critically, demonstrate tact and diplomacy, work independently and  collaboratively
• Value building trust and partnerships with interdisciplinary teams