Communications Officer - Alberta, Canada - Athabasca University

Description

Athabasca University's Director, Communications is currently recruiting for the position of Communications Officer.

Please note this is a temporary full-time (1.0 FTE) position starting May, 2024 and ending October, 2025.

Work Location

AU may offer relocation assistance for the right candidate, should you decide to relocate to reside in the town or county of Athabasca. As a resident of the community of Athabasca, or elsewhere in Alberta, you can elect to work virtually from your home or in our offices on our beautiful campus.

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, please visit and

Position:

The communications officer provides strategic communications support to help build awareness of Athabasca University (AU), creates connections through storytelling, and engages internally and externally with AU's varied stakeholders.

The communications officer participates in the execution, development, and operationalizing of strategic communications and related activities in support of the university's strategic plan. The communications officer will provide guidance and oversight to develop omnichannel content, plan and organize upcoming editorial needs, and closely collaborate with stakeholders across the university including executives, deans, faculty members, and business unit leaders.

Reporting to the director of communications, the communications officer is responsible for the effective oversight and implementation of communications and related activities across the university.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

An undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations, communications or some combination of related education and experience. Requires minimum three – five years related experience, with some of that experience preferably in a post-secondary environment. Knowledge of content creation, writing for a multitude of platforms, interviewing, proofreading, and copy-editing skills, and the proven ability to apply knowledge to meet the needs and challenges of the university is required. Other experience includes communications strategy development and project management, budgeting, content marketing, change management including support of initiatives and programs, negotiation skills, relationship influence, and innovation abilities.

Skills and Abilities

• Leadership: Understands and addresses university issues and challenges with clarity, energy, and confidence. Has the ability to adapt to new and changing situations. A progressive idea person (design thinker) who encourages adoption of "best practices" while exhibiting the ability to innovate and develop new tactics.
• Professionalism: High ethical standards and an honest, open, and consistent approach to working with internal and external stakeholders. Requires a solid understanding of privacy, confidentiality, and other legislative realities impacting modern communications.
• Project management: Project management and time management skills are vital, as are strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse individuals. Decision making: Ability to understand and interpret changing priorities and communications needs and a mindset to take on calculated risks in decision making.
• Adaptability: Ability to interpret and adapt to new and changing situations and to change direction or modify approaches as required.
• Service orientation: A personal dedication to a service oriented, value-added culture of excellence. A team player, with the confidence to take the lead and guide the faculties and other departments when necessary.
• Digital media skills: Knowledge of audio and video production and editing an asset.
• Technology: Knowledge of digital communications tools, such as content management systems, e-newsletter platforms, analytics, and Office 365 applications.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT : Please provide two writing samples.

We also welcome you to share one piece of multimedia content you worked on that you're particularly proud of; this could be a video, social media, a podcast, or other, however, this is not mandatory.

A detailed job description can be viewed at: Communications Officer.

For further information regarding this position, please contact Angie Zander, Director, Communications at

We will only accept applications received through our online recruitment system. Please include your resume, letter of application, and the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three references.

Note: Online applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the closing date.

(Enter Language regarding priority for CUPE (or other) union staff- for example "First consideration will be given to internal applicants according to the AUPE Collective Agreement, Article Please contact if you have any questions about your eligibility.")

We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

About AU:

Our Mission: Athabasca University, Canada's Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide.

What AU Offers:

Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:

• Defined Benefits Pension Plan
• Alberta Health Care
• Extended Health Care
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Vacation
• Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Discretionary Benefit Fund
• AU Course Allowance
• A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Educational credentials will be verified before an offer of employment is extended. An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials.

All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.

E-Transcripts shared directly from your Post-Secondary Institution via email are acceptable.

WES may be used to verify international educational credentials. Processing time for verification of international qualifications may take up to one month; please plan accordingly.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

Athabasca University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of visible minorities.

Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference.

Working outside of Canada is not supported by Athabasca University. You are legally not permitted to work for Athabasca University if you are living outside of Canada.