Communications Specialist

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: M&P - AAPS

Job Profile: AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title: Communications Specialist

Department: Administrative Management | Department of Orthopaedics | Faculty of Medicine

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: April 15, 2025

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

Job Summary: The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, managing, and executing all communication, marketing, and outreach strategies to enhance the reputation, engagement, relationships, and profile for programs and initiatives in the Department of Orthopaedics at the local, provincial, and international level. The incumbent will lead the development and implementation of annual and long-term communications plans that align with the goals of the Department and support key areas identified in the Department strategic plan. They will ensure a strong online web and social media presence, increase engagement of faculty, staff, and trainees through improved internal communications, while raising the profile of the Department through external communications and partnership building.

The Communications Specialist works to generate appropriate communication ideas, and executes a wide-range of communications and marketing campaigns and materials by liaising with faculty, staff, and trainees. This role leads communications projects for the Department and collaborates with internal and external partners to implement both department-wide and program-specific strategies through a variety of print, web, video, and digital/social media projects. The incumbent will be able to move seamlessly between communications strategy, high impact marketing projects, and integrated communications, all while building a strong community through the Department’s communication channels.

The incumbent will embody the values of the Department and the Faculty by being a good listener and collaborator, consistently striving for excellence, being a creative problem solver and storyteller, demonstrating resourcefulness, and being authentic and transparent.

Work Performed:

• Leads communications, marketing, and other related special projects for the Department and affiliated programs and initiatives.
• Leads the development and implementation of strategic communication plans that reflect and support achievement of the Department’s goals.
• Creates, maintains, drives, and communicates project timelines, schedules and cost estimates that support the progress of initiatives, including post-mortem reports, analysis and recommendations for future improvements.
• Develops and maintains brand identity for the Department including developing style guides, templates, graphics, and guidelines for end-users. Develops and implements a communication strategy and tools to educate faculty, staff, students, and trainees on its use.
• Ensures that initiatives effectively promote the objectives and key messages and are aligned with the Department’s communications strategy and the branding and reputation of the Faculty of Medicine and UBC.
• Prepares a variety of communications on behalf of the Department Head, Associate Heads, and Administrative Manager.
• Prepares reports, drafts business cases, writes grant proposals, and creates other formal documents.
• Develops, manages, and evaluates a robust social media strategy.
• Directs the work of external vendors as it relates to Department communications and marketing projects.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of web platforms and content.
• Develops, writes, edits, and curates content, video, audio, and photos to support communication channels and campaigns, including stories, announcements, fact sheets, newsletters, advertising copy, and reports.
• Develops relationships with faculty, staff, and trainees to effectively develop content and stories.
• Promotes and disseminates research, education, and impact stories.
• Actively seeks out partnerships to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
• Assesses the effectiveness of established communications plans and makes recommendations for future improvements.
• Functions as a communication resource provincially, sharing expertise and developing intuitive and easy to use materials that allow staff, faculty, and trainees to handle some communications tasks independently.
• Develops and manages relationships with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops, organizes, and maintains internal communication platforms.
• Liaises with the Faculty of Medicine to coordinate media strategy for the Department, and serves as the first point of contact for media requests.
• Maintains familiarity with major communications and marketing trends, issues, and technologies.
• Creates communications best practices for the department.
• Ensures all communications activities and materials comply with UBC standards.
• Participates in meetings with Faculty of Medicine campus communicators and represents the Department at relevant tables.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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

Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. University degree in Communications, Marketing or Journalism preferred.

Experience: Communications and marketing experience, preferably in large, complex organizations, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven experience in strategic communications planning and project coordination. 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 is considered an asset. Experience using established and emerging social media channels for communication and audience engagement. Experience in public relations, publicity, and media relations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to plan and implement 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 a team environment.
• 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, and fun, with a global perspective.