Staff - Non Union
Job Category
M&P - AAPS
Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B
Job Title
Communications & Marketing Specialist
Department
Department of Ophthalmology | Faculty of Medicine | Provost and VP Academic
Compensation Range
$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 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
December 3, 2024
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Oct 20, 2025
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
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.
Job Summary
The Communications and Marketing Specialist is responsible for developing, managing, and executing all communication, marketing, and outreach strategies to enhance the reputation, engagement, relationships, and awareness of initiatives for all units and programs within the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the local, provincial, and international level. Working in a matrix reporting structure, this role collaborates across Ophthalmology units to implement both department-wide and unit/program-specific strategies through a variety of print, web, video, and digital/social media projects. This role provides writing, publishing, photography, graphic design, web design, podcasting, and video content development and editing skills to the establishment and maintenance of high-quality communications and marketing standards, and accuracy of publications in print and web-based media. This role is expected to be able to move seamlessly between communications strategy, high-impact marketing projects, and integrated communications, all while building a strong community within Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. This role includes developing communications for international Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences communities at the direction of the Head.
This position is critical to fundraising initiatives through the creation of reports and development of materials to promote the activities of the Department with internal and external stakeholders. The Communication and Marketing Specialist is expected to meet with stakeholders as required to successfully complete the task.
This role requires an incumbent who is flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working across multiple units/programs with a high level of ambiguity as systems and processes are established.
Organizational Status
The Department of Ophthalmology will strive for excellence in health care delivery, education and research. The mission of the staff of the department is to:
- Provide exemplary patient care to set standards and establish a base for outstanding teaching and research programs in Ophthalmology
- Disseminate and preserve knowledge for medical students and postgraduate students and provide continuing medical education for practicing physicians
- Encourage understanding for patients and families of their eye diseases
- Lead and provide research programs in both basic science and clinical studies in Ophthalmology to advance knowledge and contribute to the application of new discoveries for the development and advancement of eye care
- To provide training in clinical and research Ophthalmology to programs in emerging nations
This position has functional reporting to the Department Head and takes direction from the Head and Administrative Manager for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
Work Performed
- Creative writing.
- Leads the development and implementation of strategic communication and marketing plans that reflect and support achievement of the Department and unit/program goals.
- Creates, maintains, and communicates project timelines, schedules, and cost estimates that support the progress of initiatives, including post-mortem reports, analysis, and recommendations for future improvements.
- Ensures that initiatives effectively promote the objectives and key messages and are aligned with communications and marketing strategies, and the branding and reputation of the Faculty of Medicine and UBC.
- Ensures consistent messaging across all units/programs within the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences while tailoring content and voice to the respective channel and audience.
- Leads the development of a strong web presence for the Department, including graphics, photos, and video. Develops and maintains web content style guides, standards and templates.
- Oversees the development and maintenance of web platforms including directing the work of external service providers.
- Develops, manages, and evaluates a robust social media strategy.
- Develops, writes, edits, and curates content, video, audio, and photos to support communications channels and campaigns, including stories, announcements, fact sheets, newsletters, podcasts, advertising copy, and reports.
- Develops and writes materials for fundraising initiatives in the Department.
- Actively engages and solicits feedback from the ophthalmology community and adjusts communication strategies accordingly based on needs.
- Develops and manages relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively seeks out partnerships to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
- Assesses the effectiveness of established communication and marketing plans and makes recommendations for future improvements.
- Maintains familiarity with major communications and marketing trends, issues, and technologies.
- Keeps abreast of the latest news in ophthalmology across the province, nationally, and internationally.
- Creates communication and marketing best practices.
- Foster a communications and marketing community of practice within the department and with the ophthalmology community
- Ensures all communications activities and materials comply with UBC standards, and other standards where applicable.
- Participates in meetings with Faculty of Medicine communicators.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position represents the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as well as the Faculty of Medicine and University. Errors in decision-making or judgment will directly affect UBC's reputation with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
Supervision Received
Reports directly to and takes direction from the Department Head. Works independently within established guidelines and standards. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of defined goals. Makes recommendations in areas of prioritizing, planning, and executing communications plans.
Supervision Given
May provide direct supervision of staff and students involved in communication-related tasks or projects. May direct the work of internal and external service providers.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Education: University degree in Communications, Marketing or Journalism preferred. A master's degree is preferred.
Experience: Communications and marketing experience, preferably in large, complex organizations, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven experience in strategic communication and marketing planning and project management. Computer experience required using content management systems, email marketing systems, SEO, various social media platforms and analytics programs (such as Google Analytics). CSS and HTML considered an asset. Experience developing audio and video content (such as podcasts and video blogs) is an asset. Experience using established and emerging social media channels for communication and audience engagement. Experience in public relations, publicity, media relations, and fundraising.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong creative writing skills.
- Ability to plan, implement and evaluate a broad range of digital and non-digital communications projects.
- Possess an understanding of web design and usability best practices.
- Adept in researching, selecting, testing, and measuring traditional and innovative communications channels.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Strong presentation and public relations skills.
- Knowledge of technical writing, or other editing experience with English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within and across teams.
- Exceptional service orientation and interpersonal skills. Ability to work in an environment that is decentralized, complex, and with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a project-based environment and handle multiple and concurrent priorities.
- Strong leadership and motivational skills.
- Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and discretion when working with confidential and/or sensitive information and in dealing with staff, faculty members, students, and alumni both across the university and externally.
- Ability to work independently and demonstrate a high level of initiative and self-directedness.
- Ability to assess own performance and regularly report on project status.
- Possess a deep understanding of branding. Exemplifies the attributes of UBC's brand, including being bold, open to new ideas, adventurous, respectful, compassionate, and fun, with a global perspective.
- Ability to work effectively with people from differing backgrounds.
- Ability to promote a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
