Communications, Media And Web Manager

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title

Communications, Media and Web Manager

Department

Administrative Staff and Managers | Vancouver School of Economics

Compensation Range

$5,906.25 - $8,508.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

September 20, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Summary

The Communications Manager works to determine and execute the communications needs of the Vancouver School of Economics (VSE) and its ancillary research centres. At its core, the VSE prioritizes a scientific and apolitical approach to knowledge creation, and a successful candidate will share these values.

In consultation with school leadership, the Manager articulates the mission of the VSE and acts as the main knowledge translator for its outputs. Successfully managing these tasks requires a deep engagement with and an understanding of the content produced within the VSE, including the ability to translate its research output to the general public, to profile the VSE, and to project its activities in a clear and appropriate format to multiple audiences. Target audiences include potential donors, alumni, government bodies, university leadership, current and prospective students. A detailed understanding of the work done by academic economics researchers, preferably from education and immersion within an academic economics environment, is essential.

The Manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of digital and print communications. To that effect, the Manager will supervise a Media Assistant.

Organizational Status

Reports to the VSE Administrator and receives direction from the VSE Director. The manager also works very closely with the VSE Communications Committee and educational program directors. Liaises with the Arts Communications team to ensure adherence to Arts and UBC brand guidelines and communications best practices. Works closely with the other members of the Arts Communications team and network and campus communicators. Interacts with faculty and staff within the VSE, as well as IT Services, UBC Public Affairs, Arts ISIT, UBC Alumni and Development, UBC Press and UBC Events concerning issues affecting the VSE and CERC. Also works closely with the VSE IT Manager in developing electronic communications strategies. Provides advice and guidance to VSE and its research institutes on communications strategies.

Work Performed

Communications and Media:

• Collaborates with Arts Development & Alumni Engagement (DAE) to engage donors and inform them about the VSE’s exciting work.
• Identifies and researches the key audiences for the VSE’s output and messaging.
• Develops and implements strategies for promoting the VSE’s educational programs, as well as potential expansions and additions. Collaborates closely with program directors, BIE advising, the Career Center, and third-party contractors in the development and implementation of these strategies.
• Maintains familiarity with major communications trends, issues, and technologies. Functions as a communications resource for faculty and other staff at VSE, providing front-line tactical communications expertise, as required, and providing stakeholders with recommendations and best practices.
• Evaluates the performance of digital and traditional media initiatives using a data-driven approach. Prepares reports and provides regular updates to the Communications Committee, Directors and stakeholders within the unit on outcomes and patterns, and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Produces, publishes and promotes featured faculty and student profiles, faculty awards, and research stories.
• Maintains contact lists such as media and other partner organizations and stakeholder groups.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of VSE digital signage, including notices of events and seminars. Ensures compliance with digital signage policy and guidelines.
• Participates on VSE committees related to the position, as assigned by the VSE Director.
• Oversees all VSE social media accounts (Twitter Facebook, etc.).
• Develops timelines and manages budgets to implement marketing projects, promotions, and campaigns. Supervises the creation of new media assets (promotional videos, brochures, etc.) and the management of existing ones.
• Translates specialized research output to various audiences, and conveys it using the appropriate communications tools and channels. When appropriate, collaborates with Media Relations and Arts Communications to promote content via mainstream media tools (e.g. placing op-eds, generating articles for publication).
• Identifies and responds to emerging opportunities to profile the VSE and its research and academic programs.
• Act as the communications liaison on events that further enhance VSE's identity, vision and values, including guest speaker series, graduation, alumni, and donor events.
• Keeps abreast of VSE research output and the nature and development of its academic and educational programs.
• Monitors and collects news coverage items about the VSE and its related concerns. In collaboration with other units within UBC, such as UBC Public Affairs, Faculty of Arts Communications, UBC Press and UBC Events, distributes news coverage items to various internal and external audiences.
• Participates in the Arts Communications network and liaise with Arts Communication as required.

Web Coordination:

• Collaborates with the VSE IT manager to determine the required web functionality and oversees its development. Keeps up to date with the features of the UBC Content Management System. Works closely with the VSE IT manager to provide basic technical training and support for faculty and administrative staff.
• Holds primary responsibility for the operation of the VSE and ancillary research centres’ websites. Acts as web content manager, developing, editing, and vetting content.
• Provides supervision and guidance to the Communications and Marketing Assistant in executing all aspects of Website management and maintenance.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the VSE Director and VSE Administrator. Content is also directed by the Communications Committee and Educational Program Directors, who provide the goals to be achieved and timeframes involved when assigning new initiatives. Steps to achieve the goals would be devised by the incumbent. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of high professional standards in the delivery of communications services. Is expected to anticipate potential issues or problems based on a thorough knowledge of VSE mission, goals, and operations, and to develop effective solutions. Refers situations potentially affecting VSE IT system designs, procedures, computing resources and/or other VSE and CERC operations to the IT Manager.

Supervision Given

Supervises a Communications and Marketing Assistant. May supervise students in Work Study or other related support positions, and directs the work of internal and external service providers.

Consequences of Error/Judgment

Inappropriate or incorrect communications reflect poorly on the VSE. The mission and values of the School, its commitment to the scientific method, its apolitical pursuit of truth can easily be misunderstood if not communicated clearly. Failure to identify the key research outputs or communicate them properly could lead to missed development opportunities, alumni disengagement, or insufficient student recruitment. Poorly designed websites would negatively impact the educational experience of students and increase the time instructors and staff must spend dealing with questions. Incorrect decisions/judgment will negatively affect the VSE, the success and operations of the VSE, and the reputation of the University. Failure to proactively monitor and investigate new technology could mean extra time and funding are spent unnecessarily on outdated and cumbersome procedures. Failure to evaluate thoroughly the impact of new operations (e.g., through consultation with affected parties and real costs in funding and time) could result in dissatisfaction and extra cost. Not staying current on security practices, relevant laws and procedures (i.e. Copyright) could lead to legal action for the University.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in Economics or a related discipline. Minimum five years or related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate work in Economics or a related discipline is an asset. Experience in journalism or communication services, which includes social media and multimedia aspects, is an asset. The ability to understand specialized economic research, summarize key findings, and convey them to a variety of audiences in lay terms is essential. Broad-based public relations an asset.

Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail, including copywriting skills and the ability to edit and proofread documents and news releases. Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, tact and discretion when working with information of a confidential and/or sensitive nature. Familiarity with copyright law, privacy and security practices (e.g. FIPPA) is an asset. Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Takes initiative in learning about language and issues relating to equity and diversity.

Ability to set priorities and work effectively on several projects simultaneously in a high-volume, dynamic environment to meet deadlines. Ability to work effectively with various levels of administration and university personnel. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and resolve them accordingly. Ability to take a high level of initiative and clearly communicate economic ideas. Ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.

Familiarity with Content Management Systems (especially WordPress) an asset.