Faculty Communications Strategist & Media Liaison

Saint Mary's University; Halifax; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Defined Contribution Pension plan

Vacation

Personal days

Flexible Workplace

Professional development

Holiday Schedule

Summer hour schedule

Discounted Employee Transit EPass

Job summary

Saint Mary's University in Halifax is seeking a Communications Officer for the Faculty of Arts. The role leads dynamic communication plans, creates materials for students, staff, media, and alumni, and acts as the Faculty of Arts storyteller through interviews and content creation.

You will collaborate with External Affairs and the Dean of Arts Office to produce newsletters, event materials, and open house content, while managing websites and social platforms to boost visibility and compliance.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree with concentration in Arts disciplines, Public Relations, Journalism and /or Communications, or related areas; Master's degree considered an asset.
• Minimum 5-7 years of directly related experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Experience with managing and/or updating websites.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in social media and understanding analytics.
• Ability to research, process, organize and present information interestingly, and convincingly.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and deliver by the appropriate deadlines.
• Work independently.
• Understanding of academic and administrative structures.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the External Affairs Office, develops and executes dynamic strategic communication plans for the Faculty of Arts, updated on an annual basis.
• Develops communication materials for key audiences including students, faculty, and staff as well as media, alumni, governments, business, and the public.
• Is the main "storyteller" for the Faculty of Arts, conducting in-depth interviews with faculty, researchers, students, and alumni to create content for various channels.
• Works with the Dean of Arts Office and the Arts Associate Deans on the preparation of newsletters, bulletins, program fact sheets, advising brochures, event posters, open house presentations, etc.
• Works with External Affairs to develop and deliver programs for faculty and staff on communications topics, such as dealing with media, legal communications requirements, and communicating with prospective students during campus events.
• Coordinates with Faculty of Arts staff members who are planning events to ensure communication needs and goals are met. Ensures incorporation of strategic key messages, speaker script, and communication coverage of the event.
• As part of the annual communications plan, develops and implements a strategic approach to online communications to promote the Faculty of Arts and its programs, research, and alumni.
• Oversees and maintains the websites and social media platforms for the Faculty of Arts and ensures they are optimized for search engine results.
• Monitors the websites and social media outlets and works with Department and Program web editors in the Faculty of Arts, including the Faculty of Arts main website, to ensure all sites are up to date, have appropriate content, meet legal/University requirements, and appear both professional and on-brand.
• In collaboration with External Affairs, serves as the primary liaison for the Faculty of Arts with the press and other mainstream media outlets. Identifies and writes stories that profile research and people, for various platforms and audiences and develops media pitches.
• Collaborates with External Affairs to handle press requests, press conferences, and develop strategies for dealing with the press that are on site for events related to the Faculty of Arts.
• Collaborates with External Affairs to write, develop, and distribute materials for the press and develop media pitches about the programs, research, academics, events, and activities of the Faculty of Arts.
• Collaborates and coordinates joint communications, marketing or branding projects with the Office of External Affairs.
• Advises staff/faculty within the Faculty of Arts on the university's brand graphic standards (as set by the External Affairs Office) as needed.
• Attends regular meetings with the Office of External Affairs team to discuss and coordinate Arts-related communication projects at Saint Mary's.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

Microsoft Suite

Website management

Excellent communication

Social media analytics

Research & storytelling

Time management

Independent work

Academic administration understanding

Education

Undergraduate degree in arts/public relations/journalism or related

Tools

N/A

Job description

Saint Mary's University in Halifax is seeking a Communications Officer for the Faculty of Arts. The role leads dynamic communication plans, creates materials for students, staff, media, and alumni, and acts as the Faculty of Arts storyteller through interviews and content creation.

You will collaborate with External Affairs and the Dean of Arts Office to produce newsletters, event materials, and open house content, while managing websites and social platforms to boost visibility and compliance.