Marketing & Communications Officer

Brock University; St. Catharines; Hybrid; CAD 62,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental benefits

Pension plan

Vacation time (3 weeks)

Job summary

Brock University is seeking a Marketing & Communications Officer to plan and execute CCOVI communications and marketing activities, enhancing reputation and media presence. You will translate complex research into accessible content for academic, industry, government, and public audiences.

You will develop and maintain media relationships, manage CCOVI content across digital channels, and produce materials that showcase CCOVI’s research, partnerships and impact.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or Public Relations.
• Minimum of two years of news media or media relations work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment.
• Valid G class driver's license and an acceptable driver’s abstract.
• Strong writing and editing skills with copywriting proficiency.
• Experience translating complex scientific or research information into engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of publishing and digital content processes.
• Editorial photography and videography skills; distribution on websites, social media and media releases.
• Understanding of traditional, online and social media trends.
• Strong project management, brand management and market research skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

Responsibilities

• Write impactful news stories for media releases and Brock web pages, Brock News, CCOVI News and Continuing Education communications.
• Pitch story ideas to media outlets in grape and wine industry journals.
• Maintain CCOVI content across social and digital channels to strengthen engagement and reach.
• Design and produce marketing materials (newsletters, reports, brochures, campaigns) to boost visibility.
• Collaborate with media contacts to build relationships and secure coverage.
• Attend industry events to strengthen partnerships and identify trends.
• Support CCOVI tours and outreach activities to engage interest groups and government bodies.
• Foster networks with CCOVI researchers to communicate research impact and partnerships.
• Provide communications planning and promotion for CCOVI presentations and events.

Skills

Strong writing

Copywriting

Media relations

Social media

Editing

Project management

Photography

Videography

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or Public Relations

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Publishing platforms

Social media management tools

Job description

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.

We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive!Brock has been proudly recognized as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for eight consecutive years. Brock continues to earn recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2026. For the second consecutive year, Forbes, in partnership with Statista, also named Brock one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities.

Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date:

November 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM

This job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)

Please note: This is a fixed-term contract position that is set to conclude in July 2028.

About the Role :

Working collaboratively with both the University Marketing and Communications team and staff and researchers at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Marketing & Communications Officer is responsible for planning and successfully executing CCOVI communications and marketing activities to support and enhance the Institute’s reputation and overall media presence. The position plays a key role in communicating the value, outcomes and impact of CCOVI research and innovation to academic, industry, government and public audiences. The Marketing & Communications Officer is also responsible for supporting networks with various media outlets and stakeholders in the grape and wine industry, and for identifying and promoting opportunities to showcase CCOVI research, expertise, programs, partnerships and impact through strategic communications initiatives.

The Marketing & Communications Officer will:

• Write strong, impactful and clear news stories that can be used as media releases and content for Brock web pages, the online Brock News, the quarterly CCOVI News and CCOVI’s Professional and Continuing Education communications that raise the profile of CCOVI, its researchers, programs and impact;
• Proactively pitch story ideas to relevant news media outlets, including grape and wine industry journals and publications;
• Maintain content across CCOVI’s social media and digital communication channels, including content from the CCOVI website, Brock News and quarterly CCOVI News, as well as promotion of CCOVI’s Professional and Continuing Education programming, to strengthen engagement and extend audience reach;
• Write, design and produce strategic communications and marketing materials, including newsletters, reports, brochures, promotional campaigns, digital content and other collateral that enhance CCOVI’s visibility and reputation to industry, government and community stakeholders;
• Steward a network of news media and grape and wine industry contacts, and establish a reputation for pitching stories with journalistic integrity and appeal;
• Attend relevant industry events, tradeshows and workshops to communicate and strengthen relationships with existing and potential partners and identify emerging sector trends, and support CCOVI’s communications and outreach objectives;
• Provide communications and marketing support for CCOVI tours and promote CCOVI to interest groups in the grape and wine industry, as well as governmental agencies and/or politicians;
• Develop strong networks with CCOVI researchers to stay informed of ongoing research activities and identify and communicate stories that showcase the capacities, partnerships and impact of CCOVI, the University and its researchers;
• Provide communication planning and promotion support for CCOVI presentations, outreach initiatives and signature events.

Key Skills and Experience :

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., Communications, Marketing Research, Journalism or Public Relations);
• A minimum of two (2) years of news media or media relations work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment;
• A valid G class driver’s license and an acceptable driver’s abstract;
• Strong writing and editing skills with demonstrated proficiency in copywriting;
• Experience translating complex scientific, technical or research-based information into engaging content for diverse audiences;
• Sound knowledge of publishing and digital content processes;
• Working competence in editorial-style photography and videography, and in distributing that imagery on websites, through social media and with media releases;
• Advanced understanding of content formats and approaches that relate to the news media’s challenges, preferences and requirements;
• Knowledge of news, issues and trends in the grape and wine industry;
• Strong project management, brand management and marketing research skills;
• Strong understanding of traditional, online and social media, with the ability to stay current on social media trends;
• Solid computer application skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe Acrobat, web applications and social media platforms);
• Excellent production and design skills using Microsoft Office Publisher or Adobe Creative Suite 2 or higher, including Photoshop;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in narrative and/or media styles;
• Solid relationship management skills with the ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy and tact when dealing with internal and external partners;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to multi-task to meet deadlines;
• Extremely adaptable, flexible, nimble and responsive to meet changing demands and conflicting priorities.

Salary and Total Rewards:

• Job Grade [K], Salary Scale ($62,115.00 - 99,384.00);
• Target Hiring Range: $62,115.00 - $67,238.40*;
• This is a fixed-term contract position that includes:
• Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Pension Plan: Enrolment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.
• Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to University holidays.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid work schedule available.

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups.

We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact [e-mail] if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.