Communications Officer - Saskatoon, Canada - University of Saskatchewan

University of Saskatchewan

Verified Company

Saskatoon, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

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Description

Communications Officer:

Primary Purpose:
The communications officer helps to develop and implement strategic communications at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). The primary goal of the position is to support the college's goals and priorities with effective communications strategies.

The communications officer helps to build and maintain a positive reputation for the college across diverse and numerous audiences internally as well as across a broad range of external stakeholders and the public.

Reporting structure:

The communications officer reports directly to the WCVM's Chief Operations and Finance Officer (COFO) and is a member of the college's communications team in the WCVM Dean's Office.

The communications officer works closely with the Dean and the college's leadership team as well as college staff to ensure communications are consistent and appropriate.

This position is a member of the university's Strategic Communications portfolio.

As such, the employee also works with the Associate Vice-President and CCO, Strategic Communications, as well as the Director, University Communications, and the Director, Advancement Communications.

Nature of Work:
This position requires a significant amount of judgment and decision-making abilities.

Reporting to the COFO, the communications officer is a member of the WCVM communications team and is responsible for all aspects of the college's communications program including external and internal college communications; communications strategy development and planning; media relations; event planning, volunteer management and outreach; social media and marketing; communications training, mentorship and support; and website development and maintenance.

Storytelling is fundamental to this role, and the position requires strong writing and editing skills for various formats including news writing and science communications as well as print and digital communications for internal and external audiences.

The communications officer is responsible for creating promotional materials and identifying innovative veterinary and One Health research, education, outreach and human-interest stories that enhance the profile of the WCVM and its Veterinary Medical Centre.

The communications officer also supports some event planning and development-related communications as well as community outreach programs. In addition, the individual works on various institutional and college-based projects as part of a dynamic team.

The individual in this role must understand the college's unique regional nature and the important role of communications in building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders on campus and across Canada.

Consequence of error is significant to the reputation and profile of the university.

The work environment is face-paced and rapidly changing.

The employee works both independently on site at the WCVM and as part of a remote team, and is responsible for managing multiple, competing deadlines and priorities.

The job requires some evening and weekend work as well as travel.

Accountabilities:

Works collaboratively with the WCVM communications team to create and implement communications plans that support major college initiatives and events. The individual also participates in longterm planning for the communications team, the college and the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre.
Supports the college's profile and reputation through the following activities:
identifying, writing, editing and packaging stories and other content for the college and university news sites, print magazines and other external publications that build profile for the college's research, clinical, academic and community outreach initiatives

- managing the college's social media channels and planning and executing a consistent online presence for the college and its veterinary teaching hospital
- updating the WCVM and WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre websites and ensuring that web content is accurate and meeting digital accessibility standards
- providing media relations for the WCVM and the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre
- taking photos and videos, editing photo files and video footage, organizing photography and videography sessions, and working with photographers, videographers and other freelancers

Serves as a communications resource to the college by:
providing sound and strategic advice, messaging, speaking notes, briefing documents, issues management and crisis communications for the dean/college leadership

- providing communications advice and support to senior leadership, faculty, students, research centres and groups, alumni and development, student services and the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre
- working with the development team to provide communications strategy and support for various donor events and fundraising initiatives
- delivering workshops and training in communications, social media and other areas o