IVEY BUSINESS SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Digital Communications Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Marketing and Communications
REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations
DATE: November 2014
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF POSITION:
The primary purpose of the position is to develop and implement communications initiatives, with a heavy emphasis on digital and social platforms. As our communication team’s “social traffic manager” the Digital Communications Specialist will ensure that what we communicate and how we communicate reflect Ivey’s brand positioning and its key strategic messages. The Digital Communications Specialist will contribute to the achievement of Ivey’s overall strategic goals by producing, coordinating and implementing internal and external communications plans for key stakeholders, including Ivey faculty, staff, current and prospective students, and alumni as well as the media and general public. This role requires a creative thinker and writer, and a true brand champion.
Ivey’s Marketing and Communications team is a strategically sound, and digitally savvy group and a well-integrated cross-functional team. We are committed to high-quality work and continuous improvement.
Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is widely regarded as Canada’s most prestigious business school and among the top in the world. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey equips students with the knowledge and capabilities they need to confidently take on business leadership challenges and opportunities. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Education at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.
1 KEY RESULT AREAS:
1. Represent the voice of Ivey Business School on social media platforms. This role is the primary social media contact for the general public and key stakeholders. It is critical that engagement is on-brand, on-message and customer-focused.
2. Develop and share content for Ivey digital and social media platforms for both internal and external audiences. This content includes writing a significant number of “corporate journalism” pieces and integrating them with related content such as videos, photography, etc. Content will be disseminated on a case-by-case basis across a variety of platforms including paid digital campaigns, other Ivey departmental digital and social properties, and, in some cases, with external partners. The Digital Communications Specialist will coordinate this dissemination of assets with a goal of maximizing targeted reach and engagement.
3. Develop digital and social media communication plans that integrate with and support the School’s Marketing and Communications strategic plans. In addition to project-level planning, the Digital Communications Specialist will manage communications planning and execution on a variety of platforms, as required, for Ivey programs, departments, centres and institutes. These projects will not be limited to digital and social media initiatives.
4. Support Ivey departmental web and social media editors as needed, including content development, best practices implementation and social media training.
5. Investigate and implement innovative strategies for social media and digital communications and keep abreast of trends, opportunities and emerging platforms and networks.
6. Define and develop metrics to monitor the success of Ivey’s social media engagement and our overall media impact.
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
ACTIVITIES WITH PRIMARY DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITY:
2 1) Must prioritize multiple tasks and projects based on strategic priority and deadlines.
2) Management of internal and external relationships with key stakeholders.
3) Development of content and structure of digital and social communications including external vendors, to ensure project goals are met.
ACTIVITIES REQUIRING CONSULTATION AND/OR COOPERATION:
1) Development and implementation of strategic digital communications strategies to support business strategies.
2) Raise potential social media platform performance issues or new opportunities with senior managers.
3) Raise reputational-based communication concerns and participate in the communication solution.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
The incumbent should possess a university degree, preferably in English, Communications or Journalism and a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in social media community management and social media strategy. This experience should also include a broad-range and multiple examples of professional writing for corporate communications.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Demonstrates excellent writing skills.
Proven strength producing communications materials in a variety of mediums.
Maintains a high-level of competence in a variety of digital platforms and demonstrates a keen interest in learning new tools and coaching others on their use.
Participates in and is knowledgeable about on-line communication platforms and tools.
Thrives in a busy environment with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
Comfort in both the design and delivery of internal social media training sessions.
Shows exceptional attention to detail combined with the ability to prioritize activities according to larger strategic goals.
3 Demonstrates the ability to think creatively and problem solve in a collaborative environment.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build effective relationships both within and outside the Ivey community.
Handles sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
Competence and experience with website development projects, basic graphic design, and web content management systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF POSITION:
RESPONSIBILITY % OF TIME SPENT
1) Social Media Management 30%
2) Content Development 30%
3) Communication Planning 15%
4) Project Management 15%
5) Reporting and Analysis 5%
6) Administration 5%
Location: Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ontario This is a 2 year renewable contract position with full benefits.
Qualified candidates should forward their applications in confidence to: [email protected]. Please reference MC154 in the subject line. Applications should be received on or before December 5, 2014. Candidates will be considered as applications are received and the posting will remain open until a candidate is identified.
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