Communications jobs

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 18

The base salary will be $90,460 - $129,090 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.

Please note, this is a 2-year temporary full-time contract opportunity covering a leave of absence. This contract includes a comprehensive benefits package.

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Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

The Communications & Marketing Team within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has a mission to protect, promote and enhance the reputation of the School locally, nationally and internationally. This is achieved through the development of strategic communications and marketing plans, the development, production, implementation and management of publications and communications vehicles, through strategic use of social media, through brand enhancement, positioning and tracking, through the planning and implementation of internally and externally focused local, national and international events and promotional activities, media relations, and the implementation of key strategies which engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors.

The Director, Communications & Marketing will provide strategic, creative and innovative communications, marketing and event leadership for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The role will provide ongoing expertise and tactical support to the Decanal Team, Chair/Chiefs across all departments, Directors, administrative leaders and staff, Schulich departments and units as needed. The Director will lead the Communications and Events staff team and manage budgetary resources to ensure projects are completed effectively and efficiently.

As a member of the Senior Administrative Leadership team, the Director will be strategically and tactically responsible for the development of all new and ongoing communications plans and strategies, the School’s premiere publications (Rapport, annual reports, etc.) and events (Homecoming, speaker series, etc.). The role will provide guidance and oversight of feature writing and copywriting for most publications and Schulich news. The role requires a highly strategic and creative individual who embraces innovation, challenges the status quo and works to create a shared vision focused on positioning Schulich as having one of the strongest communications and marketing teams of any medical school in Canada.

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or a related program
• Accreditation through International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
• Master’s Degree in Communications/Marketing or Journalism preferred

Experience:

• 8 years of senior leadership experience in communications, marketing and event planning
• 5 years’ experience in Strategic Communications Planning, Brand Positioning and Management
• 5 years’ experience providing leadership to a team of Communications and Marketing Professionals, and managing vendors
• Experience in an academic and/or health care environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of e-communication tools, including website and graphic design principles
• Knowledge of social media platforms relevant to student populations
• Expertise in theory and best practices in media relations and public affairs
• Project Management skills with an ability to plan, manage and coordinate multiple projects, often with competing priorities that involve a variety of stakeholders
• Knowledge of best practices in building a strong collaborative team and leading people
• Ability to handle complex, ambiguous situations with diplomacy, calmness and good judgment
• Leadership skills with the ability to inspire employees and develop a shared vision to lead a team to excellence
• Ability to maintain and develop an effective network of contacts that provide information and intelligence regarding Western's environment, emergent opportunities, and best practices
• Business management skills with a proven track record of achieving growth and hitting corporate objectives
• Ability to apply creativity and recommend strategies for engagement initiatives in response to cultural and social trends
• Advanced ability to effectively communicate (orally and in writing), lead business discussions and train others
• Influential interpersonal skills and knowledge of approaches and techniques for working with individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner at all levels of the organization
• Ability to process information with high levels of accuracy within tight deadlines, and an ability to complete detailed analytics and reports
• Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize with an eye to consistently producing high quality work and meeting deadlines in a demanding environment
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and professional development

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.