Position Overview
The McCaig Bone and Joint Health Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Communications Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reports to the Manager, Business and Operations with accountabilities to the Director, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health. This position manages the McCaig Institute’s full communications portfolio including general institute, strategic initiative, and special event communications. The role includes communications with both internal and external stakeholders and is a critical part of the team of the McCaig Institute.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership
- Advise institute committees (research, education, executive) on the communication needs for key areas and programs
- Lead all institute communications initiatives ensuring they’re communicated across the Cumming School of Medicine and the university
- Lead the development of innovative tools to increase communication and collaboration among members, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Lead development of communications metrics and maintain and update metrics database
- Lead meetings of key stakeholders in events to ensure optimal outcomes for communications strategies
Strategy
- Working with the Director and the Manager, Business & Operations, ensure that there is a strong communications plan associated with all institute strategic and business plans as well as new strategic initiatives, programs, and events
- Develops strategies for improving communications with key external stakeholders
- Creates and executes a social media marketing strategy
- Create an annual communications plan for the McCaig Institute in alignment with the institute, faculty and university plans
- Monitors statistics and implements processes for reporting and analysis of communications platforms (e.g. Google Analytics)
- Develop proposals in coordination with the Program and Events Coordinator, Manager Business & Operations and/or Committee Chairs to create new communications and special initiatives that will support the strategic goals of the institute
Budget and Resource Allocation
- Propose budgets, manage scope and time constraints to ensure successful completion of communication projects
- Accountable to advise and respond to all activities regarding budget
- Responsible to develop request
- Researches and orders promotional items
Project Management
- Provide communication advice and grow events and initiatives such as (but not limited to):
- The Cy Frank Legacy Lectureship, the Wood Forum, Science in the Cinema, collaborative research events, the Centre for Mobility and Joint Health and the Mobility for Life Project
- Ensures all key stakeholders are included in the development, implementation, and maintenance of communications projects solicit feedback as appropriate from leadership and members to optimize success
- Future projects and events will be determined as required in the best interest of the McCaig Institute and in alignment with the strategic plan by the Director and the Manager, Business & Operations
- Develops and modifies database and distribution lists for all communication materials/events
Operations
- Writes and designs promotional materials
- Write, edit articles, event materials, brochures, fact sheets, reports, videos, newsletters, etc. Create and manage all media and online materials
- Proofreads communications and marketing materials
- Update the current MIBJH website with recent news releases, stories, and research findings
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Post-secondary degree or diploma (or equivalent) in communications
- 5-7 years related experience, ideally in large, complex organizations or an academic/medical setting
- Excellent writing and communications skills
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
- Experience creating content for various social media platforms is required
- Proven ability to create communications strategy that align with programs, events, and initiatives and support those initiatives in achieving their goals
- Ability to identify and track key metrics to show progress towards communications goals
- Highly creative with ability to create content that uniquely highlights impact to external stakeholders
- Experience developing and managing budgets
- Proficient in the use of word processing, data management (Excel), meeting programs (Adobe Acrobat or equivalent) and presentation media (PowerPoint) is required
- Highly-developed interpersonal and organizational skills
- Proven ability to work both independently and as a team player committed to the success of the unit
- The ability to multi-task and effectively work with all levels in the organization, dealing with tact and diplomacy in all situations
Application Deadline: July 20, 2022
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist Advisor Job Family, Phase III.
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.