Date:	July, 2012
Reports to (Job Title):	Dean
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	Graduate Recruitment and Communications Specialist
Location:	PAS - Dean of Arts Office
Grade:	USG 10 35 hr/wk

Primary Purpose

As a key member of the Faculty’s strategic communications team, the Communications Manager is responsible for strategic communications planning and content creation across print, web and digital channels to promote and build a strong local and national profile for the research, teaching and outreach activity of the Faculty of Arts. The position functions as Arts’ liaison with uWaterloo Communications and Public Affairs (CPA) to align Arts strategic communications objectives with those of the University, and must understand the importance and distinctiveness of the Faculty of Arts and its position in the larger institution.

Key Accountabilities:

1.As Manager of the Arts Communications Team:

Develops deliverable strategic communications plans for the Faculty of Arts; regularly reviews strategic priorities ensuring communications initiatives are aligned;
In collaboration with CPA and the Communications Council, identifies, uses and promotes best practice communications tools in the Faculty of Arts;
Assumes responsibility for the quality, excellence, and consistency of Arts’ communications materials;
Stays fully abreast of new developments in technology and communications;
Supports Faculty colleagues in understanding and implementing new communications technologies;
Serves as a member of various campus-wide communities of practice including:

Communications Council
Editorial Calendar Working Group, which builds the full-year plan for content the university will advance across its primary communications channels
Web Advisory Committee.

2.As lead writer, editor and manager for Faculty-level communications:

Provides a consistent and coherent voice for the Faculty in alignment with the Faculty’s and the University’s positioning strategy;
Produces a range of communications that define and distinguish Arts at uWaterloo among the humanities, social sciences, and fine and performing arts in Canada;
Identifies engaging and informative stories on academic research, programs, and their impact and relevance beyond the academy;

Develops opportunities to promote Arts’ teaching, research, outreach and alumni achievements, distinctions, and unique attributes with the context of uWaterloo internal/external communications;
Develops content strategy for the Arts Faculty web site, including the IA (information architecture) and UE (user experience);
Provides CPA with stories for the university website, media release/advisory content, and Arts research expertise for media requests and public outreach;
Web: With the Associate Dean, Computing, and ACO staff, oversees the continued development and updating of Arts’ websites;
Social media: determines priority audience groups and strategy to engage them;
Print: assesses needs and manages content development ;
Media relations: responds or delegates response to media requests;

Develops video content, including approach and creative concept; secures and oversees vendors to produce and edit;
Maintains awareness of current events and issues; works with the central communications team to identify appropriate communication channel(s), i.e. Faculty, University, or external media;
Advises on messaging for Faculty leadership speaking engagements as required;
Ensures compliance with all relevant legislation (e.g., accessibility legislation) across print and digital formats;
Develops and oversees communications strategies for special projects as identified and/or approved by the Dean.

3.Supervises Graduate Recruitment and Communications Specialist (GRCS):

Directs the strategy and action plan for graduate recruitment in consultation with Arts Associate Dean, Graduate Studies;
Oversees the development and implementation of digital media initiatives;
Provides guidance and training as required for writing/ editing style;
Assigns research, interview and writing projects; edits/reviews work prior to publication;
Monitors GRCS work flow and balance;
Ensures appropriate professional development opportunities for the GRCS;
Serves as a key committee member in GRCS hiring; conducts annual staff performance evaluation for review by the Dean’s Office; establishes annual goals with the GRCS.

4.Manages internal communications that provide current, useful and promotional/community-building information about the Faculty and its activities to a variety of internal audiences:

Produces/edits Inside Arts newsletter Manages Faculty –level submissions to The Daily Bulletin;
In collaboration with the Dean and CPA, manages crisis/controversial issue communications;
Manages best practices for communicating academic program news and Faculty-level events;
Advises departments and units on major event communications (e.g., high profile visiting speakers).

Position Requirements

Education:

University degree (graduate degree preferred), preferably in a field related to communications (e.g., English, Drama, Journalism or Communication/Media Studies); or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

Several years’ progressive experience in a communications capacity within a medium to large organization, with a proven track record of achievement. Advanced understanding of and experience working in post-secondary setting, preferably within humanities, social sciences and creative arts divisions.

Technical:

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Other

Intermediate

excel

powerpoint

Web content management systems: advanced

Social media: advanced

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

Internally, communicates with a comprehensive array of faculty members, communications professionals, and senior management of the Faculty, CPA and occasionally other University leaders; externally, with members of the media and others interested in the Faculty of Arts and the University for the purposes of influencing and motivating.

Level of Responsibility:

The position is responsible and accountable for establishing strategic priorities for communications within the Faculty of Arts and for related deliverables.

Decision-Making Authority:

Responsible and accountable for establishing communications priorities, plans and quality control and for adjusting priorities in consultation with the Dean, CPA, and others as appropriate.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Demands typical of a communications position, with extended periods of computer use.

Working Environment:

minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions.