Purpose:
Amazing things happen when diverse communities work together to create positive change. Together, we are making things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Markham Campus (MC) will embed York University in the heart of one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province and country. Reflecting the local economy, academic programs and research will revolve around the core themes of technology and entrepreneurship and how they are driving innovation across all areas of knowledge and society.
Challenging the traditions of what a university campus can offer, York University's Markham Campus will act as a unique meeting place for students to interact directly with employers, start-up companies, and community partners from across the region.
Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications, the Marketing & Engagement Communications Specialist plays a role in achieving the Markham Campus communications and marketing objectives through exceptional content creation and a broad range of related communications activities. Functioning both collaboratively and independently, this dynamic and proactive role helps to support the campus' strategic goals by increasing awareness, promoting Markham Campus programs, research, achievements, faculty, and key messages. The role works to positively enhance the reputation of York University and Markham Campus by increasing visibility and recognition among key partner groups in all communications.
The purpose of this role is to develop marketing campaigns, marketing & communications plans, and tactics to support program initiatives, events, and student engagement activities. The Marketing & Engagement Communications Specialist will produce written content and provide updates to team members. The role will facilitate the implementation of the marketing & communications plans. The role is responsible for creating compelling storytelling that will engage a variety of demographics and with a focus on student engagement. Initiatives are varied and include communication to current and prospective students in Canada and internationally, parents and supporters, counsellors, teachers, and staff at the campus to engage, educate and inform. Content includes promotional activities and events with an emphasis on marketing York University to students across all stages of their educational journey - recruitment, conversion, transition, retention, and graduation.
The role works collaboratively with the Markham communications team to incorporate digital content such as infographics, social media, video clips, graphic images, photos, etc. into communications projects including websites, presentations, events, e-communications, etc.
Education:
University degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field with an emphasis on written communication or an equivalent of 4 years of recent experience (defined as within the last five years) working at York University and performing the same or similar tasks. This education equivalency is in addition to the experiential requirements outlined below.
Experience:
3 years' recent related experience researching, writing, and editing copy and creating content for a range of media, including print, social and digital media such as email, website, boosted social media, etc. Experience and knowledge applying communication rules, procedures, etc. related to a specialized field such as print, or digital production, etc. and industry methods.
Skills:
Excellent writing, proofreading, editing, research, and grammatical skills.
Experience producing content across a range of media, including social media, print and digital formats.
Effective communication skills to elicit accurate information, conduct interviews with students, professors, and the larger community.
Excellent research and analysis skills to facilitate the measurement, interpretation, and presentation of information/data.
Demonstrated success in coordinating cross-functional groups and providing conditions for service excellence for partners.
Demonstrated good judgment, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills in a team environment.
Excellent organizational skills including the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, coordinate a number of projects/programs simultaneously in response to changing/conflicting priorities.
Attention to detail and ability to work effectively under pressure of high volume.
Basic understanding of search engine optimization (SEO), content categorization and structure, content development, distribution across multiple channels and measurement.
Experience in monitoring and analyzing metrics and coverage to assess the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns. (i.e., Sprout Social, Google Analytics)
Uses tact and diplomacy when dealing with a wide variety of contacts and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Intermediate experience with content creation methods and best practices for varying channels (print, multimedia, infographics, web, email, blogs, social media).
Technical
Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogging software, Google+, LinkedIn, Flickr, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Intermediate skill working with MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat and Bridge), and WordPress for web editing.
Intermediate skill with web search/navigation tools for research, content management systems (CMS) customer relations management systems (CRM).
Other
Demonstrated commitment to the values of creating student success: Care, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Innovation, Excellence, and Inclusion.
Additional Notes:
Please note: This position requires the candidate to produce a verification of degree(s), credentials(s), or equivalencies from accredited institutions and/or international equivalents at the time of interview.
If you are a current York University employee in the YUSA-1 bargaining unit and/or are using your job posting rights under the collective agreement to view and apply for jobs, you must apply through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire to be considered an internal applicant.
As per Article 12.02(f) of the YUSA-1 Collective Agreement, to be considered an internal applicant, employees in the YUSA-1 bargaining unit must submit the application 5 working days following the first day of posting. This is referred to as the 'Posted Date' on the job posting. Please refer to the 'Posting Intent' on the job posting.
The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.
York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.
We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.
York University employees must apply to jobs through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire. If you are a current York University employee and/or are using your rights under a collective agreement to view and/or apply to jobs, you MUST log into YU Hire to access the York University Employee Career Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Applications must be received by 11:55 pm EST on the posted deadline date, if applicable. Posting deadlines can be updated, or modified, at any time based on hiring needs. Please refer to the York U Career Portal when confirming posting deadlines.
