Communications Manager

The Communications Manager plays a critical leadership role in the development of communications and building the brand for the Waterloo Eye Institute and the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Communications Manager take leadership in communications, marketing, branding, and key projects, internally and externally, as well as ensuring the smooth internal communication of information critical to the day-to-day operations of the Institute and the School. The Communications Manager is responsible for the image and reputation in the media and general public, at the local, provincial, national and international levels among a wide range of stakeholders, partners and donors.

Responsibilities

Marketing and Branding

Responsible for positioning the School as a leader in research and academic excellence through the creation of on-brand marketing materials in support of the School’s strategic plan

Act as a primary content provider for the School’s print, web and social media channels, identifying and writing engaging and informative stories from academic research, student activities and teaching initiatives ensuring alignment with the broader communications strategic plan

Coordinate photo and video shoots and/or source photos for copy when necessary

Research, write and edit compelling copy for all print material that support strategic initiatives. Work with designers, photographers and external vendors to create visually appealing products within budget

Maintain an excellent understanding of brand guidelines and promote a unified look and feel for the School through the creation and maintenance of a cache of promotional materials

Internal Communications

Lead the development and implementation of an effective internal communications strategic plan to foster increased information sharing among all stake holders (research, clinical and academic)

Gather information, conduct interviews, and write content for ongoing deliverables

Build relationships with faculty and staff in order to maintain awareness of all teaching, research and clinical activities within the School to enhance stakeholder participation

Ensure that all relevant external communications are shared internally with key stakeholders through appropriate channels

Own and manage the day-to-day communication activities, including acting as an advisor to colleagues on best practices. The incumbent is expected to work closely with the senior administrative team to craft timely and appropriate messages to employees

Write content for the Director to use in public speaking engagements

Leads the development and implementation of appropriate metrics to define, monitor, analyze and refine all communication initiatives as a basis for strategy developmentAdvancement and Recruitment (External) Communications

Act as an editorial resource for the advancement and recruitment team by assisting with researching, writing, editing and designing strategic publications and communications including, annual reports, and brochures. Incumbent must be able to write convincingly in a voice appropriate for intended stakeholders

Act as key author and editor on the Monthly Director’s Report, the Insight Newsletter, and the Impact Report, writing content, interviewing sources and editing proofs

Develop messaging for school leadership at speaking engagements, in keeping with and relying on a knowledge of advancement goals and priorities, including slide decks, news stories, media relations and promotions to ensure a consistent and coherent delivery of information across all units within the school

Support colleagues at events with communications needs or marketing collateral such as donor events, alumni events and continuing education events

Media Relations

Maintain comprehensive knowledge of all teaching and research activities within the school and clinic

Strategically and systematically, evaluate research findings, events and new developments, identifying those with the greatest potential for being picked up by the media, and ensuring emphasis on research, academic and clinical priorities

Gather information, conduct research, and interview sources in order write a variety of high-impact materials for the media, including but not limited to press releases and media advisories. The incumbent must understand and operate in a broad spectrum of political, social and cultural milieus, and be able to distill complex academic information into plain language to bring research to life

Collaborate with University Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communications, to ensure excellent quality/consistency and initiate coverage and outreach

Draft quotes on behalf of school spokespeople, including the Director and senior administration

Acting as an advisor providing expert opinion to effectively counsel academic colleagues on the optimal approach to public messaging to ensure media interest and coverage.

Provide advice and support to researchers by providing training and tips on responding to media queries

Field media requests through University Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communications by quickly identifying appropriate experts and supporting the arrangement of interviews

Work with University Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communications to maintain or increase both the quality and quantity of earned media

Represent the School at events and activities both on and off-campus. These events require the incumbent to diplomatically and effectively facilitate media interaction with the School’s most senior leaders, stakeholders, and funders

Qualifications

University degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or equivalent combination of education and experience required

Master’s degree preferred

5-7 years of experience with developing messaging, creating media releases, storytelling and developing internal communications required

Experience with scientific writing required

Thorough knowledge and understanding of marketing communications, strategic communications planning and print media

Experience fielding media inquiries and working with external forces on deadlines

Proven track record of innovative and effective storytelling

Proven experience articulating positioning/messaging. Strong social media knowledge and experience

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent copy editing and proofreading skills; multi-media storytelling experience. Active listener to foster positive working relationships and partnerships

Ability to manage multiple projects (from concept through execution), demonstrate effective time management skills and confidence in decision making with a positive attitude while remaining flexible to adapt to unexpected and time-sensitive demands

Demonstrated ability to lead and support the management of change, and to remain flexible, diplomatic, efficient, and capable of managing crisis situations as they arise

Proven self-starter with demonstrated commitment to innovation, creativity, and excellence

Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; initiative; demonstrated skill in managing priorities with limited resources (time and funding), and strong project management skills including budget development

Advanced skills in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Sound working knowledge of design and photography software, content management platforms; social media channels and web-based project management platforms

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at or, ext. 45935.

Full-Time