Creative Strategist

Job Title

Creative Strategist

Job Type

Permanent

Union

MRSA

Position Classification

SPB05 Public Relations Assistant V

Salary Grade

$60,571.00 - $76,640.00

FT or PT

Full-time

Hybrid Work

This position is eligible

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

About This Position

The Cougars Athletics and Recreation (CAR) Creative Strategist is responsible for design, photography and videography content which will support the department’s strategic plan, brand and key messages, elevating our events, programs and services to our internal and external communities. This position reports to the Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships within CAR.

This is a highly skilled technical role, requiring a deep understanding of sports, brand management, storytelling, composition and cinematographic movement. The Creative Strategist is expected to design print and digital assets as well as capture video footage and images that showcase the stories of CAR. Through their work, the Creative Strategist will strengthen the Cougars brand in our community and elevate our advertising campaigns. They will be expected to bring forward new creative solutions regularly.

The Creative Strategist will lead the technical tasks related to production of digital video. They will set up and operate various equipment and ensure consent forms are obtained and tracked. It is expected that the incumbent executes concepts through to completion ensuring they maintain a high production standard and that all work follows University copyright policy.

A high degree of collaboration with the CAR Marketing and Events team is required in this position, specifically with the Marketing Strategist and Digital Media Coordinator. This role is also expected to collaborate with the creative team in the University’s Community Engagement Department.

Responsibilities

1. Graphic Design – Print and Digital
   
   • Responsible for creating engaging graphics that support campaigns to increase customer engagement and revenue as directed by strategic plans.
   • Implement projects from concept through completion, ensuring campaign objectives are met.
   • Develop design concept sketches, mock-ups, layouts and templates to share with project stakeholders for feedback.
   • Adhere to institutional and department branding, publication and logo guidelines.
   • Create and maintain templates for easy use by colleagues.
   • Design and develop digital graphic assets for social media, digital advertising and email marketing.
   • Collaborate with CAR internal stakeholders to ensure graphics are created in a timely manner and on brand for all department campaigns.
   • Support the Marketing Strategist with website design and content maintenance as required – specifically in the area of graphics layout.
   • Manage personal workload to maintain high levels of efficiency, productivity and output quality among multiple projects, concurrently.
   • Research and provide recommendations on best practices and trends in recreation and sports graphic design.
2. Videography and Photography
   
   • Create videos which elevate the CAR brand and engage audiences in line with our strategic plans and campaigns.
   • During the varsity sport season capture, edit and produce promotional and highlight videos.
   • Support recreation program and service campaigns with exciting and educational videos.
   • Develop video concepts, scripts and storyboards for production in-house, or through third-party suppliers, depending on the project scope and budget, as well as the intended channel and audience.
   • Gather project requirements and develop work-back schedules.
   • Perform video capture, editing and production tasks.
   • Build and maintain a video archival system.
   • Direct, shoot and edit video projects required marketing and communications.
   • Schedule and setup shoots with video subjects including but not limited to: students, athletes, staff, alumni, sponsors and members of the general public.
   • Maintain model release forms and accurate record-keeping.
   • Create digital video graphics, effects and titles and animation.
   • Record ambient and subject audio with a high technical standard.
   • Lead the scheduling, capture, editing and production of all videos for Cougar Night, the annual Athletics awards event.
   • Research and provide recommendations on best practices and trends in recreation and sports videography and photography.
   • In collaboration with the Marketing Strategist and Digital Media Coordinator, provide art direction for photoshoots as required.
   • Assist with capturing images for department use in print, digital and social media as required.
   • Assist with setup of photoshoots for still photography as required.
   • Make recommendations to the Associate Director, Marketing and Partnerships on equipment life-cycle and new purchases.
   • Ensure that all work follows University copyright policy.
   • Follow University and department brand guidelines.
3. Brand Management
   
   • Assist the Associate Director, Marketing and Partnerships, with management of the MRU Cougars Brand Guidelines and Institutional brand standards.
4. Department, divisional and institutional support
   
   • Ensure the CAR graphic design and videography supports prioritized department strategies for increased customer engagement and revenue generation.
   • Promote a shared vision that drives departmental, divisional, and institutional short-term and long-term planning and the ongoing organizational work.
   • Support the development of innovative collaborative partnerships to advance the departmental, divisional and institutional reach.
   • Advance and serve on department and institutional committees.
   • Collaborate with department, institutional and community partners to cultivate opportunities to enhance the CAR and Institutional brands.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree or Applied Degree in Fine Arts, Information Design, Visual Design or Communications.
• Minimum three years (3) full time professional experience in design, communications and/or videography.
• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated innovation, creativity and informed risk-taking.
• Knowledge of athletics and recreation industries and trends.
• Able to receive constructive feedback and make changes that accurately implements this feedback.
• Experience with working on multiple projects, within tight time-frames.
• Experience working in complex workplaces with many diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of the differences between print, digital and video design principles.
• Experience in producing print materials and how to build clean files for seamless output.
• Ability to learn and manage various technologies to achieve superior creative results.
• Proven ability to take photographs.
• Proven ability to set up and shoot video.
• Excellent technical skills and a command of all aspects of video post-production including, editing, colour grading, compositing, retouching, encoding, sound recording.
• Experience working with design programs such as Adobe Suite and Canva.
• Experience creating engaging designs for athletic and recreational campaigns.
• Demonstrated commitment to and appreciation of diversity and cultural competency.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and work as a member of the team.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed.

Closing Date: April 21, 2025

Note: There is a strong internal candidate for this position.

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify erecruiter@mtroyal.ca and we will work together on your accommodation request.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis. Learn more about MRU's Land Acknowledgement.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.