Overview:
Term: 1 Year
The Content and Digital Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of day-to-day editorial planning and content strategy for the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) communications to advance IQC’s image, profile, and reputation in support of the Institute’s strategic objectives.
Trusted to develop and maintain productive working relationships with IQC senior leadership, faculty members, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to collaboratively produce content and strategically deploy multi-platform communications plans that provide just-in-time information appropriate to IQC target audiences.
Accountable for planning, evaluating, and reporting on the impact of marketing and communication initiatives, including but not limited to; print, web, email and social communication campaigns. All of which are designed to inspire and engage target audiences and their key influencers each having a substantial and coordinated impact on the successful achievement of the Institute’s strategic objectives.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Liaison and Integrated Communications, and in collaboration with colleagues in Communications and Strategic Initiatives team (CSI) and campus partners, the Content and Digital Specialist plays a major role in shaping CSI initiatives that effectively build on IQC’s global reputation.
Responsibilities:
Engineering and optimizing content to achieve Institutional goals
Conducts research and interviews to write, edit and fact-check compelling copy for marketing collateral that supports strategic initiatives. Works with designers, photographers and external vendors to create visually appealing products within budget
Generates content and writes stories to publicize and promote individual and Institute-wide research, funding, and achievements
Works closely with CSI/IQC to ensure messaging is cohesive, consistent, and well timed, and shares knowledge so all team members can incorporate new information into initiatives
Manages the execution of IQC’s multi-channel content strategy across a variety of platforms for domestic and international audiences, to ensure timely messaging, implementation of best practices, and coordination of efforts across the team
Makes data-driven decisions and adjustments to the evolving content marketing strategy
Advises the Senior Manager, Liaison and Integrated Communications, and other CSI team members with respect to new or evolving marketing strategies to achieve Institutional objectives
Identifies opportunities to diversify message deployment across print, digital, email, and social media, and facilitates a content-centric culture among CSI team members
Applies an extremely high standard with respect to grammar, punctuation, and language usage, and for ensuring that all printed and digital communications safeguard the outstanding IQC’s reputation and to position the University as an innovative, high-quality academic institution
Produces fact sheets, web-copy, brochures and presentation materials to profile IQC research, researchers and activities
Develops, deliver and evaluate email, social and digital content marketing plans
Write, build, edit and/or approve email campaigns and social posts (e.g., social posts/comments, live events, on- and off-campus events) that align with best practices
Digital engagement
Develops and implement social media listening strategies to identify key themes surfacing among defined audience segments and potential brand advocates
Performs email and social content audits/inventories (including regular maintenance of IQC’s campaign email and social media content calendars, campaign email process, training manuals, best practices)
Supports the creation, execution and evaluation of IQC’s Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and social media advertising plan in partnership with IQC colleagues
Monitors and report on metrics for email, social, and digital media initiatives
Ensures excellence and consistency in all email and social media communications
Support the delivery of key messages within email and social media produced by CSI and more broadly across the Institute
Works closely with the Multimedia Coordinator to promote and share video content
Project manages work flow and business practices
Monitors, reviews, and oversees internal communication practices to ensure that processes are effective, and proactively recommends new opportunities to build greater efficiencies across the institute and with campus partners
Ensures that appropriate metrics are defined, monitored, reported, analyzed, refined, and examined for communication and marketing activities as a basis for strategy development
Applies project management best practices and tools to accurately document all components of each campaign strategy for which s/he is responsible, and contributes appropriate updates to the overall CSI strategic plan.
Manages the CSI editorial calendar to ensure transparency and strategic messaging
Collaborates with the Multimedia Coordinator and Senior Manager, Liaison and Integrated Communications to develop and maintain consistent documentation and recording methods across all communications and marketing projects
Generate, review, edit and coordinate project reports
Supports the Senior Manager, Research in writing Federal and Ontario Government reports, including collecting relevant data, summarizing project activities, fact- checking, and presentation of information appropriate to the audience
Review and edit reports to correct for structure, grammar, style, and adherence to university requirements and agency guidelines
Provides the Senior Manager, Research Insights with strategic advice, information, and data related to status and progress of project reports
Qualifications:
University degree in communications, advertising, journalism, marketing, media studies, or equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years proven experience translating complicated ideas into easy to understand terms. Experience as a science writer is considered an asset
4+ years of experience in marketing and communications, specifically the areas of print and digital content marketing
3+ years of experience in writing/editing and technology platforms for social media, web, video and email campaigns
Thorough knowledge and understanding of marketing communications, strategic communications planning, print media
Superior copywriting, proofreading, editing and interviewing skills
In-depth knowledge of print and digital marketing and communications (e.g. social media platforms, Google Analytics, campaign email and customer relationship management software, Hootsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)
Track record of innovative and effective storytelling
Proven ability, extensive experience, and strong working knowledge and understanding of integrated communications strategies within a highly complex institution and competitive marketplace
Familiarity with advertising creative development, advertising media planning and buying an asset
Intermittent work outside the normal operating hours of the institution and occasional travel
Vaccination Requirement Statement:
Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.
The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/
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Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
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 Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
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