Marketing & Communications Manager

Concordia University of Edmonton; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established university in Edmonton is seeking a Marketing & Communications Manager to enhance its brand and reputation. This pivotal role involves leading a dedicated team, developing strategic marketing initiatives, and ensuring effective communication across all platforms. The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, leveraging their expertise to create compelling content and foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. If you're passionate about education and ready to make an impact, this opportunity offers a dynamic setting to advance your career while contributing to the university's mission and vision.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic marketing or communications experience required.
• Experience leading and mentoring a team is essential.
• Knowledge of best practices in marketing and communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of marketing strategies.
• Manage relationships with external marketing partners.
• Oversee all institutional communication channels.

Skills

Strategic Marketing

Communications Planning

Team Leadership

Content Creation

Media Relations

Data Analysis

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Communications

Graduate Level Degree

Tools

Social Media Platforms

Website Applications

Job description

Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is a community of learning grounded in scholarship and academic freedom, preparing students to be independent thinkers, ethical leaders and citizens for the common good.

CUE campus is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton’s historic Highlands neighborhood. Supporting a student body of over 3,000, we are known for our small class sizes and our excellence in teaching. Our small classes and diverse student population provide an excellent opportunity for engaging with students in a sustained and nurturing way unique within the Canadian university system. CUE is an institution that values research in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and management. Our vision is to be recognized nationally and internationally for our graduates’ knowledge, skill, integrity, and wisdom.

CUE is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for work, study, and living. We actively promote dignity for all, rejecting action and language that are harmful to mutual respect.

Reporting to the Chief Public Affairs Officer (CPAO) the Marketing & Communications Manager will advise and support the President, executive leadership team, Board of Governors and senior leaders through communication and marketing strategies in support of institutional priorities and strategic goals with the intent to build and promote Concordia University of Edmonton’s (CUE) image, brand and reputation, and to inform and engage key audiences.

As the university’s marketing and communications expert, the senior manager provides regular support and advising while also leading the team. The senior manager has the ability to produce and coach others in creating effective and compelling content for multiple mediums, ensuring content and communication strategies elevate the university’s brand and contributes to our vision. Leading the team collaboratively, this role will manage a combination of staff and contracted direct reports, overseeing all projects, budgets, department resourcing, and work assignments.

Responsibilities

Communications, brand development and relationship management:

• Develop the direction and provide leadership for all corporate channels including the website, social media, and intranet.
• Lead the planning, development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies to meet the university’s strategic and operational priorities. Oversee all institutional communication channels, ensuring they inform, engage and build a strong and consistent brand presence both internally and externally.
• Work collaboratively with the Manager of Community Relations, to develop and implement plans to partner with organizations to increase CUE's brand awareness and reputation.
• Create and empower others to develop purpose-driven, informative and compelling content to engage the university’s diverse audiences. This may include developing stories, announcements, newsletters, media releases, website and intranet content, briefing notes, key messages, speaking notes, video and audio scripts, reports, publications, and social media content.
• Build strong relationships with internal clients, working directly with them to support their business goals with marketing and communication strategies.
• Manage relationships with CUE’s external marketing and communications contracted partners.
• Oversee comprehensive marketing and advertising plans for all institutional initiatives to ensure all audiences are informed, and to build awareness of CUE’s unique selling features, partnerships and competitive advantage.
  
  

Internal Communications

• Promote an integrated communications approach across CUE by developing and maintaining communication channels and processes for internal communication, and providing the tools, messages, and advice to support departments.
• Provide all departments within the university the tools and resources necessary to ensure clear and effective communication.
• Oversee the continuous improvement and regular engagement of the employee intranet, ensuring the channel meets employee needs.
• Develop, implement and maintain communication standards related to branding and operating procedures. Ensure CUE faculty and staff are aware of and utilize communication standards to reinforce branding and mandate.
  
  

Issues Management And Media Relations

• Provide advice and counsel to senior leadership, including the development, implementation and evaluation of effective and proactive communications approaches for projects, emerging and potential internal/external issues and ensuring messages are clear and consistent.
• Identify and assist in the management of issues affecting the university and stakeholders, including developing communication plans and providing support in response to emerging issues.
• Lead media relations, writing and distributing news releases and advisories, creating media kits, responding to inquiries, and planning media events.
• Act as primary media contact for the university, managing pre and post interviews and media availability for events.
• Cultivate engaging and positive relationships with local, regional and national media.
• Lead the creation and implementation of media and social media strategies.
  
  

Leadership

• Lead the team of communications and marketing professionals including full-time, student, and contracted resources, providing direction, work assignment and oversight, ensuring results and outcomes align with CUE plans and vision.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and development of marketing and communications team.
  
  

Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism is required.
• Graduate level degree is considered an asset.
• Five plus years' strategic marketing or communications experience is required.
• Three (3) plus years’ experience in leading and mentoring a team is required.
• Experience with advising executives and senior leaders.
• Experience with internet platforms.
• Experience with strategic marketing and communications planning and writing all types of communication forms, including speeches, briefing notes, media releases, annual report, marketing copy, video scripts.
• Ability to use data and metrics to make data-driven decisions and increase engagement and readership of content.
• Knowledge of best practices and trends in marketing, internal and external communications.
• Ability to deal effectively with politically sensitive or confidential issues.
• Ability to lead creative processes and bring new ideas to the table.
• Ability to triage and prioritize requests from various stakeholders.
• Skill in using social media and web site applications.
• Knowledge of the post-secondary landscape and relevant legislative requirements.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check results
  

Closing Date: Application review will commence immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Please direct all questions and concerns to Human Resources at Concordia University of Edmonton [e-mail]

Concordia University of Edmonton encourages applications from members of racialized groups, visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and others who may support a diversity of perspectives at CUE. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.