University of Saskatchewan Looking for Advancement Communications Specialist at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Full Time

Primary Purpose: The Communications Specialist works as part of the Advancement Communications Team to lead the conceptualization and creation of high-quality, timely and relevant content for USask’s alumni community across various digital communications channels. The primary goal is to support University Relations’ priorities and programs, including alumni engagement, the university’s comprehensive campaign, and build and maintain a positive reputation for the university and within the university’s more than 170,000 global alumni network, as well as with donors and friends of the university. Work should be aligned with the University Relation’s strategic plan and the overall University Plan.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Director of Advancement Communications, this position is a member of the Advancement Communications Team, which is part of the university-wide Strategic Communications team. This position provides guidance and expertise in advancement communications (which includes alumni engagement and development activities) to staff across campus. This position plays a key role in content creation and increasing awareness and engagement with alumni and donors, as well as showing the impact of USask alumni and donors both locally and globally.

University Relations is responsible for institutional advancement programs (which include Strategic Communications, Fundraising, Alumni Engagement and Operations and Services), and as such is dedicated to supporting the related needs of all colleges, units and the university as a whole.

The University of Saskatchewan values diversity and Indigenous engagement is a strategic priority. In support of this priority, the position will contribute to a team environment which recognizes and supports the importance and value of equity, diversity, and inclusion in achieving the mission of the university, and actively seek out those with diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to support the mission.

In University Relations, the nature of our work centres on our guiding principles of being:

• Inspiring: We are confident in ourselves and our goals. We instill confidence and excitement in others to bring them along with us.
• Committed to each other’s success: We look for opportunities to make all our teams and the University successful.
• Collaborative and integrated: We work together toward shared goals.
• Solutions- and action-oriented: We continuously seek a path forward and we get things done.
• Brave and courageous: We expect to encounter obstacles. We face these challenges head-on.
• Respectful: We demonstrate our regard for others through listening, understanding, and acknowledging the contributions of all.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Conceptualize and plan story ideas, themes and content that celebrate alumni and donor accomplishments and impact and that builds pride for the university, in alignment with the university’s and advancement’s strategic priorities
• Lead and manage the content for the Green & White website, Green & White monthly e-newsletter, and other alumni-related publications/channels ensuring it is accurate, updated, timely and relevant
• Generate timely, accurate and engaging content for USask digital channels using a variety of formats, including stories, alt story forms, social media posts, videos, photos, emails, media releases, newsletters, infographics, and other content
• Conduct regular environmental scans and develop a strong understanding of key audiences and monitor analytics over time to inform data-driven decisions
• Liaise with readers and oversee user-submitted content (e.g. Class Notes, Memory Lane, submitted articles, etc.) as required
• Develop and implement other communications projects as required
• Steward the USask brand and visual identity
• Keep informed of communications and advancement best practices, learns from and shares with colleagues across campus, and participates in training as appropriate

Education: An undergraduate university degree, preferably in journalism, communications, marketing or related field. An equivalent level of education and experience may be considered.

Experience: Five years of directly related experience with a demonstrated progression in level of responsibility, including a breadth of experience writing, editing, digital communications, publication and leading and implementing all areas of strategic communications and/or marketing. Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan, the academic environment and/or advancement would be an asset.

Skills:

• Excellent writing and editing abilities, careful attention to detail and proofreading skills
• Ability to conceptualize and create content for a variety of channels, including web, social media, media, print, etc.
• Experience with creating video for web or social media, including basic video editing would be an asset
• Solid coordination and project management skills, ability to manage multiple deadlines and timelines
• Thorough understanding of communications principles and strategies, proven experience in applying them and achieving results in a complex environment
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills including tact, diplomacy, professionalism and ethical behavior
• Ability to deliver projects on time and on budget
• Understanding of digital communications, social media, marketing
• Experience with, or an understanding of, alumni and donors, Indigenous cultural competency, and fundraising and marketing campaigns would be an asset

Department: University Relations

Status: Permanent

Employment Group: ASPA

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $66,030.00 – 103,174.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 11/28/2023

Closing Date: 12/11/2023 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask’s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where ‘Yes’ is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable

Driver’s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable

Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable

Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the  deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan .