Communications Officer - Jobs in Sackville, NB

Job Description

Position descriptionReporting to, and working closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications, and as a member of the Marketing and Communications team, the Communications Officer communicates institutional news and information to MtA staff and students; provides advice to managers in MtA departments about their own operational communications to staff and/or students; and plays a leading role in the effective use and adoption of communication technologies (email, intranet, website, mass notification) by the MtA community.With a primary focus on internal communications, the incumbent’s success as an experienced communicator will also depend on their sensitivity to how ‘internal’ communication can influence reputation in the public sphere and generate both positive and negative interest from external audiences. Position is based on campus with some flexibility for remote work.ResponsibilitiesInternal communication

• Act as a primary point of contact for business process owners (administrative managers, director of marketing and communication, and/or executive team members) pertaining to institutional initiatives that require communication to the MtA community.
• Examples include strategic plans, updated or new processes, IT system upgrades, significant changes impacting the organization, announcements.
• Liaise with the VP Finance and Administration on campus projects requiring communication under that executive team members portfolio.
• Prepare a communication strategy for these initiatives, draft communications as required, undertaking revisions and obtaining approval. Coordinate implementation with colleagues in marketing and communications and process owners.
• In conjunction with the Director, Marketing and Communications, play an active communication support role to the University’s bargaining team during collective bargaining cycles.
• Provide advice to operational managers on communicating to their internal audience(s).
• Collaborate with Media Relations Officer (department colleague) on issues management and media relations.

Creative writing

• Research, write, and edit content in a variety of formats for internal or external audiences, such as, but not limited to, brochures, presentations, web articles, speeches/remarks, alumni magazine articles.
• Provide proofreading, fact verification, and copy editing as required.

Content platforms

• Intranet (SharePoint platform)
  • Primary subject matter expert (content and governance) for the University’s intranet.
  • Use Intranet as a communications tool to communicate to staff, add/ edit content as required.
  • Provide periodic training and advice for department content editors.
  • Encourage staff awareness and engagement with content on the intranet.
• Mass notification system (Everbridge, external platform)
  • In conjunction with Director, Marketing and Communications, oversee use of the mass notification system (Used periodically: in cases of campus closures due to weather or an emergency situation)
  • Collaborate with colleagues in marketing and communications departments on messages requiring timely distribution. Examples include weather alerts impacting campus operations, or emergency situations.
• University Website (Drupal CMS)
  • In conjunction with Director, Marketing and Communications, and Web Communications Officer (department colleague), be a subject matter resource and advocate for MtA’s Web Governance guidelines.
  • Collaborate with Web Communication Officer on website content requirements, priorities
  • Research, write, and edit externally-focused content for the website. Partner with other web content creators to develop copy in a collaborative environment.
  • Ensure content that is drafted for the web is written and presented in a format that meets web usability standards and is consistent with University style guide and brand voice
  • Update/maintain institutional content on the University website.
  • As a member of the Web Team (comprised of colleagues in Computing Services and Marketing & Communications), periodically review and prioritize enhancements to website functionality and user experience.
  • Provide periodic web editing / CMS training and advice to department editors.

Perform other duties as required.Qualifications/skillsEducation and Experience

• An undergraduate degree in public relations, journalism, communications studies or related fields.
• Five to seven years experience in a communications role.
• Experience with and interest in organizational communication.
• Comfortable working with digital content editing platforms (note: no coding experience is required, and all training will be provided).
• Experience working in a similar role for a university or college would be an asset, but is not a requirement.

Skills and abilities

• Strategic: You have the ability to understand organizational priorities and in turn develop communication strategies to reach and inform internal audiences. This includes being able to understand when organizational decisions can be used to support MtA’s reputation externally, and when such decisions may create internal and/or external issues. As such, an understanding and appreciation of media relations and issues management is an asset.
• Understanding of organizational communication: You appreciate the value of authentic communication designed for internal audiences and how it can help support a productive and collegial organizational culture.
• Digital literacy: You have experience with and understand content development for digital platforms as means to reach and communicate with internal audiences. You will have a good working knowledge of productivity software (such as Office 365/ Microsoft Office). Some experience using a web content management system is an asset, as is an appreciation of the use of social media for organizational communication.
• Relationship-builder: You are capable of developing and maintaining productive relationships working across the University, with your marketing and communications colleagues, as well as members of MtA’s leadership team.
• Trusted advisor: You have the skills to provide objective advice to administrative leaders on communication strategy and content, balancing organizational and audience perspectives. You are also able to provide guidance on operational communication developed by managers in different departments for their internal audiences.
• Professional communicator: You have demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills and can present complex material into understandable language. You have the ability to write in a variety of styles - conversationally, technically, long form/ short form - for a variety of media, including news updates, features, speaking notes, and communications briefs. As a seasoned communicator, you exhibit strong attention to detail, deadlines, and timelines.

If you are interested in the challenges and opportunities that this position has to offer, please forward your application materials in one pdf document labelled (UA-2202-01 and your last name) to: Human Resources Department, Mount Allison University, 65 York St., Sackville, NB E4L 1E4 Fax: (506) 364-2385, e-mail: hr@mta.ca Review of applications will begin on October 3, 2022We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Only candidates who are eligible to work in Canada will be considered.Visit our website at www.mta.ca/employment for other employment opportunities at Mount Allison University or to register to receive e-mail notification of new opportunities.Mount Allison is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual and gender identities. We seek candidates with qualifications and knowledge to contribute specifically to the further diversification of our campus community.Quick Apply

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