<Associate Director, Communication and Outreach>

Department:

Institute for quantum Computing (IQC)

Effective Date:

January, 2009

Grade:

USG 13

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Director

General Accountability

The Leader, Marketing and Communications (LMC) will demonstrate leadership with the goal of advancing the Institute’s strategic marketing and communications strategic objectives. The LMC is responsible to develop, plan and manage a wide range of marketing, branding and communications activities directed at the local, national and international levels.

Nature and Scope

Highlights

The incumbent is responsible for leading the marketing planning including market research and analysis, data based strategies and tactics to support the needs of our stakeholders (scientists, researchers, students from high school through grad school, government, industry and the general public)
Lead, implement and evolve the IQC brand (from research through implementation)
Developing and executing communication strategies that address all IQC’s world-wide audiences (see above list of stakeholders)
Develop and implement outreach and visitor programs, and conferences and events
Direct new generation communication tools provided by the web and electronic media
Develop and provide clear, consistent and creative communications
Approve all communications
Be responsible for IQC publications
Be the primary media contact
Accountable for the functional management of staff
Accountable for the marketing and communications budget

Strategic Context

The mission of the Institute for Quantum Computing is to advance fundamental experimental and theoretical knowledge in relevant areas of Engineering, Mathematics and Science to enhance developments in the field of Quantum Computation and Information processing. To achieve this mission, the Institute brings together the best researchers and students from around the world in Computing, Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

It is IQC’s strategic objectives to become the worldwide source of information, analysis and commentary on the state of quantum information processing and provide the essential knowledge for Canada’s industry to be ahead of the international community. It will be the DMS’s responsibility to realize this objective.

The LMC is responsible for directing the IQC marketing and communication strategy. This strategy is being funded with an Industry Canada (IC) grant, and other funding, which exceeds $3 million over the next 5 years. The $3 million is an integral component of the $50 million Industry Canada grant. IQC is required, per the IC agreement, to report annually on the progress made to “Brand Canada as a place to conduct research in quantum technologies”. IQC’s commitment to IC related to this grant includes 1. Developing and communicating the IQC brand, and 2. Disseminating knowledge. The specific outputs of activity related to developing and communicating the IQC brand include “a road map to fulfill IQC’s strategic objective of becoming the primary source of quantum information, an enhanced web site, a communications / branding plan and strategy, and various outreach activities”.

To effect these goals the LMC must be a strategic thinker and possess proven ability in developing and executing marketing and communication strategies. The incumbent must have direct experience in integrating marketing and communication strategies. Further, the incumbent will have the ability to integrate new and traditional technologies and tools to deliver strategic, tactical and day-to-day marketing and communication initiatives.

Statistical Data

Annual budget: $700 thousand

Authority: Sign-off authority to purchase consulting and marketing services, publications, outreach pieces and media ads

Staff: Supervise 4 direct reports (manager, scientific outreach, communication specialist (2), events coordinator

Researchers Within 5 years IQC will double its total researchers to a total of more than 200.

Specific Accountabilities

The LMC is responsible to:

Increase awareness and knowledge of quantum information (QI) and IQC, in the QI community, amongst Canadians and around the world. Goals include increasing the # of web hits, the # and type of outreach programs, the # of visitors and the # of press releases (this information is to be reported annually to Industry Canada)
Develops strategic communications frameworks, principles and policies to build and enhance the overall communications including operational, marketing, public communications and branding
Develops and executes an effective marking planning and measurement process for IQC
Collaborates with other UW senior communicators to develop innovative communication strategies to strengthen UW / IQC’s reputation and brand
Develops collaborative working relationships with IQC’s senior management team, faculty and with leaders in quantum institutes around the world
Developing and communicating the IQC brand by preparing a communications and branding plan / road map (required annual reporting for Industry Canada)
Create plans and monitor progress toward ensuring that IQC, Waterloo and Canada are the centre of research in quantum technology and applications, the primary magnet for HQPs in the QI field, a prime source of information, analysis and commentary on QI (required annual reporting for Industry Canada)
Develop an outreach plan at a world class level
Develops and manages the units’ services, budget and staffing, and alignment with UW and IQC’s plans and objectives
Develops and executes a web communications strategy
Develops metrics and standards for major areas of accountability; ensures communications audits are carried out appropriately; measures and monitors stakeholder satisfaction against standards and leads action to improve as required
Provides advice and counsel to IQC’s senior management with regard to organizational change management, employing proven communications approaches to support the department’s strategic change initiatives
Models leadership
Leads innovative research projects especially on branding and outreach
Participate in relevant internal and external committees, groups or events, local and international

Risk Management

To ensure these goals are achieved IQC has developed mitigation strategies. These strategies, which require annual status update reporting to Industry Canada, include reporting operating constraints that limit IQC’s ability to brand itself including limited resources (including staff). Mitigation measures include recruiting the right people, talent, skills; develop and deliver a branding project plan; foster a close working relationship with appropriate units within the university.

Internal and External Relationships

The incumbent will initiate and maintain contact with senior personnel in the University’s Communications and Public Affairs Office, and with the President’s and Vice President’s Office, QuatumWorks, science museums, institutes and media centers around the world, and specific scientific collaborating institutes around the world that focus on Quantum Computing.

Incumbent will interact with international media and scientific publication personnel.