Communications Manager

Staff – Non Union

Job Category

M&P – AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried – Information Services, Level C

Job Title

Communications Manager

Department

Communication | Associate Dean Innovation and Communications Portfolio | Dean of Arts Office

Compensation Range

$6,546.42 – $10,228.92 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 14, 2021

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

Job End Date

May 31, 2024

Job Summary

The Communications Manager is responsible for leading strategic planning and coordination of the Faculty of Arts communications network. Working with the Communications Director, this role oversees Arts unit-level communications as part of the project to create a unified, integrated and centralized communications model for Arts.

This position is responsible for developing and managing communication plans and strategies for Arts units including storytelling, media relations, issues management, and the promotion of programs and services. The Communications Manager is responsible for developing effective relationships with unit level stakeholders including Heads and Directors, unit Administrators and embedded communicators.

The Communications Manager plays a critical role in developing, managing and leading the strategic development of systems, processes, planning, implementation, media relations, issues and crisis management. This position will be responsible for developing a faculty-wide issues and crisis management model.

This position manages the production and distribution of stories on research and student experiences and builds effective relationships with various central and faculty stakeholders to develop opportunities for integrated and collaborative communication projects, campaigns and stories. This position is an advocate for the use of best practice in communications and liaises with UBC Media Relations, UBC Brand and Marketing, and units within the Faculty of Arts.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Director of Communications, and works collaboratively with the Arts Communications team and network, and Arts ISIT.

The Communications Manager interacts regularly and consults with staff, students, and faculty members across campus and a variety of other members of the University community.

The position also works in consultation with UBC Media Relations, UBC Brand and Marketing, Arts Development and Alumni Engagement and other units within the faculty. The position liaises with UBC faculty, staff, students, and the outside community as required.

The Communication Manager may hire and supervise support staff and student workers and provide functional supervision to communications and marketing specialists and designers.

Work Performed

Leads the strategic planning for unit level communications within the Faculty of Arts. Designs, develops and implements an overarching communication strategy and model for communications across the Faculty of Arts.

Works with unit level communications staff, Administrators and Heads/Directors to create a coordinated and aligned strategic communications approach. Works with the Director of Communications to develop a framework for communications including governance, review processes, escalation mechanisms, policies and procedures, and roles and responsibilities.

Meets regularly with unit-level communicators, Administrators and Heads/Directors to create proactive communications plans and ensure visibility into unit-level communications outputs. Manages issues and reactive communications at the unit-level. Identifies ways to support underserved Arts units.

Works with the Arts Communications leadership team to develop processes and set program standards for communications across the faculty. Creates and enforces internal communications processes between the Dean’s Office and Arts units.

Acts as an expert advisor on issues and crisis communications, organizational structures and models and internal communications best practices.

Manages Arts Communications Network. Provides or facilitates training for Arts communicators. This includes workshops and training sessions, participating in hiring and onboarding, mentoring and providing constructive feedback.

Works with key university staff in UBC Media Relations, UBC Brand and Marketing, VP Academic. Leads communication strategies across Arts departments and service units, leads collaborative projects and ensures accuracy of content and messaging in communication programs.

Provides oversight and direction of ongoing measurement and analytics and identifies recommendations for improvements.

Implements technical processes. Recommends areas of improvement, possibility and growth.

Leads or ensures the development and implementation of innovative and effective campaigns, public relations and marketing initiatives and activities that raise the profile of the Faculty of Arts and its units on campus, provincially, nationally, and internationally to various stakeholder audiences and support the strategic goals and objectives of the Faculty of Arts. Develops creative tactical plans to achieve project goals on time and on budget.

Develops, implements, and analyzes communication and marketing metrics to make evidence-based decisions on project improvements, milestones, and achievements. Utilizes focus groups, survey tools, and other forms of feedback to inform tactics and deployment. Assesses the effectiveness of communications strategy and deliverables and makes recommendations for future improvements.

Functions as a communications resource for departments and service units, providing front-line tactical communications expertise, as required, and providing stakeholders and departmental communicators with recommendations and best practices.

Maintains familiarity with major communications trends, issues, and technologies.

Represents the Arts Communications team on various committees and via opportunities that require/request Arts representation.

Cultivates strong relationships with internal clients and helps maintain the reputation of the Arts Communications team through professionalism and positive contributions in meetings, both within the faculty and on campus.

Performs other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position represents the University as well as the Faculty of Arts. Incorrect decisions or judgement will directly affect UBC’s reputation with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Incorrect decisions will affect the University’s ability to effectively communicate with its audience.

This role exercises initiative and judgement in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion, and must demonstrate tact and discretion. Works independently and as a team member within established guidelines and standards. Work is reviewed in terms of effectiveness of development and implementation of communication plans and projects. Makes decisions regarding the content of high profile or university-wide communications. Error in the performance of duties or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information may adversely affect the image and reputation of the Faculty of Arts and UBC.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Communications Director, Faculty of Arts.

Supervision Given
This role manages projects as well as staff directly and indirectly where needed. Explains work procedures to new or inexperienced staff. Provides performance planning and management with direct reports. May direct the work of internal and external service providers. Manages and provides functional supervision to Arts Network communicators.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum six years of related experience, or communication services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a distributed communications model preferred. Membership in IABC, CPRS, BCAMA or BCAIM preferred. Accreditation in communications, marketing, or PR an asset. Demonstrated experience managing staff and implementing project management practices. Experience in client relations, particularly working with internal client structure or agency environment. Creative design expertise in developing campaigns, creating and directing promotional materials and artwork including digital signage, newsletters, advertisements, publications, banners, and other collateral. Demonstrated experience in developing effective and proactive marketing campaigns, developing ROI metrics, and providing analytic measurement of marketing efforts.

Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with various levels of senior administration, campus audiences, external agencies, and students. Demonstrated communication skills such as development of marketing materials, presentation skills, business and communication plans, and strategic plans. Demonstrated ability to adapt writing style for various purposes and for different publications and media requirements. Ability to communicate effectively with excellent oral and written communication skills and a high level of proficiency in English grammar. Demonstrated social media expertise to engage audiences. Ability to break down complex information and exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion when working with information of a confidential or sensitive nature. Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment. Ability to set priorities be detail-oriented, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

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 develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships and engage in workplace culture. Ability to recognize and appreciate the contributions of colleagues. Committed to demonstrating respect to colleagues at every level by trusting in their abilities and knowledge to perform their roles and earning respect through meeting commitments. Models and demonstrates good interpersonal communication through active listening and appreciative inquiry and open to providing and receiving timely, constructive feedback. Listens to, encourages and expresses creative and innovative ideas. Open to experiment and improvise with new ways of approaching processes, tasks or problems. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to exercise tact and discretion.