Communications Manager - Waterloo, Canada - University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo

Verified Company

Waterloo, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Overview:

Term: 16 months

The Communications Manager is responsible for raising awareness and building brand for the WISA, its members and activities, as well as ensuing smooth internal communication of information critical to the day-to-day operations in the Institute.

The role manages the unit's articulation and delivery of messages in a clear, consistent, engaging and strategic manner, in addition to the positioning, image and reputation of the Institute.

Responsibilities:

Digital Media:
Responsible for planning, creating, and evaluating digital marketing and communications strategies and programs supporting WISA's goals and strategic plan and provide leadership and guidance on all digital communications to WISA administrative team, members, affiliated partners and research groups including but not limited to:

Responsibility for the content strategy for the WISA and its websites;
Writing and editing multimedia web and online content in alignment with digital content writing best practices and web accessibility legislative requirements and provides editorial support for web content as required;
Ensuring quality and compliance: usability and accessibility; copyright and other legal compliance; consistent with University policy, guidelines, and best practice;
Assuming project management responsibilities for web, online and social media content development and maintenance (including people, tools, time and budget);
Aligning the WISA's digital communication initiatives with the Waterloo vision, brand promise and attributes

Media relations:
Develop and manage program delivery to support the media relations strategy to meet established targets including but not limited to:

Maintaining comprehensive knowledge of all teaching and research activities within WISA;
Strategically and systematically, evaluate research findings, events and new developments, identifying those with the greatest potential for being picked up by the media, counseling colleagues on optimal approaches to public messaging, responding to media queries, and ensuring emphasis on WISA and greater institutional priorities;
Gathering information, conducting research and interview sources in order to write a variety of highimpact materials for the media, including but not limited to press releases and media advisories. The incumbent must understand and operate in a broad spectrum of political, social and cultural milieus, and be able to distill complex academic information into plain language to bring research to life;
Collaboration with Media Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communications, to ensure excellent quality/consistency of earned media, initiate interview arrangements, coverage and outreach;
Drafting quotes on behalf of WISA spokespeople, including senior administration in keeping with and relying on a knowledge of the WISA's and University's main messages;
Position WISA members and researchers as thought leaders in their fields by identifying authors and topics, and supporting the writing of oped pieces;
Representing the WISA at events and activities both on and offcampus. These events require the incumbent to diplomatically and effectively facilitate media interaction with the WISA's most senior leaders, stakeholders, and funders;
Crisis Communications: This position will be accountable, working in support of the Director, Strategic Research, for enhancing the profile, image and reputation of the WISA in the media and general public. The Communications Manager participates in and advises on the planning of issues management strategy on confidential matters relating to Environment to minimize and manage risk to WISA. This includes the assessment of risk and the astute evaluation of the expected media approach to inform the development of strategy and messaging. The incumbent is a member of the University of Waterloo Emergency Communications Team

Marketing and branding:

Responsibility for positioning the WISA as a leader in research and academic excellence through the creation of on-brand marketing materials in support of Environment's strategic priorities.

Act as a primary WISA content provider for the University's print and online channels (institutional communications materials; website homepage and highestlevel pages) identifying and writing engaging and informative stories from academic research, student activities and teaching initiatives, ensuring alignment with the broader communications calendar. Coordinate photoshoots and/or source accompanying photographs for copy when necessary
Share new content with WISA Manager and other internal stakeholders for publication and promotion on appropriate Environment and University online channels
Research, write and edit compelling copy for marketing collateral that supports strategic initiatives. Work with designers, photographers and external vendors to create visually appealing products within budget
Maintain an excepti