Specialist, Digital Strategy, Hunter Hub

Position Overview

The Digital Strategy Team in the Office of VP Research invites applications for a Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Created with a transformational gift from the Hunter Family Foundation in 2017, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is UCalgary's central community innovation hub that transforms lives and economies through fostering entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurship in students, faculty and the community. Our mission is to create and support game-changing innovators and accelerate their ideas from conception to impact. Located in the Vice-President Research portfolio, the Hunter Hub contributes directly to the University of Calgary's strategic vision to be the most entrepreneurial university in Canada.

Reporting to the Manager, Marketing and Communications of the Hunter Hub, and working collaboratively with central units as well as all innovation organizations and faculties of the university, the Digital Marketing Specialist will work to build and enhance the profile and reputation of the Hunter Hub and the University of Calgary in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, delivering on the objectives set out in the marketing communications strategy and building and executing creative and fun digital campaigns and initiatives that grow entrepreneurial thinking awareness and skills among students and faculty.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Create, support and execute digital marketing and communication plans to build awareness of Hunter Hub, and the UCalgary innovation and entrepreneurial thinking community.
• Manage and plan both independently and as part of a team, to provide programs and events targeted to engage students (both undergraduate and graduate) and partners from the community (faculty members, post-doctoral and student associations, other administrative units and external partners).
• Manage and/or lead the implementation of marketing and communication tactics such as newsletter and social media for the Hunter Hub.
• Create (using templates or design from scratch), professional graphics/images and written digital or print materials using Adobe programs within defined brand standards.
• Develop, publish and update Hunter Hub website content, and maintain all aspects of the website on an on-going basis.
• Serve as a Hunter Hub ambassador in the Collision Space and at events; professionally liaise with students, faculty, partners and others, as necessary.
• Organize and maintain all displays and presentation materials in the Hunter Hub Collision space and at external events, where required.
• Email marketing; Maintaining group mailing lists and managing updates.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with University contacts (especially communicators across campus) and external stakeholders; communicate within and outside the University in a professional and proficient manner.
• Provide general communications support as needed to the Hunter Hub team.
• Review and execution of partner/sponsorship fulfillments and ad placements.
• Support the University's brand in entrepreneurial thinking through creating and/or writing engaging marketing communications materials and templates (digital mostly, some print) and other content (i.e., online articles, videos, case studies, etc.) that amplify UCalgary's innovators, thought leadership in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, and related initiatives; Create relevant, accurate, interesting, timely content.
• Work with faculty, subject matter experts and stakeholders and/or external vendors to develop cutting edge, relevant and engaging entrepreneurial thinking posts for social, and other resources and materials for marcom channels.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Manager to develop marketing, communication and outreach metrics and budgets and oversee expenditures as required.
• Prepare and present regular status reports, dashboards, correspondence and other documentation; provide timely and accurate information and updates to senior leadership; Monitor the efficacy of communications efforts through analysis and adapt as needed to increase efficacy.
• Produce regular analytics on events, web traffic, social media, and other metrics as required.
• Collaborate with the Hunter Hub team in the development of inspirational innovation events (e.g., speaker series, hackathons and experiential learning) designed to reinforce UCalgary and Hunter Hub's leadership in the innovation ecosystem locally, provincially and nationally.
• Support the execution of Hunter Hub events and programs as required, including logistics and resource allocation; invitation and registration of guests, speakers and/or participants.
• Design and execute the promotional collateral and communications as required for all events and programs (e.g., agendas, event briefs, participant lists, speaking notes, slide decks, etc.).
• Coordinate photography, graphic design, audio/video production, and social media activities at events as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A post-secondary education in communications, journalism, new media or related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years' experience in digital marketing role that includes a digital marketing channel (web and social media) management component; agency experience preferred, but not required.
• Proactive and energetic self-starter dedicated to superior client service and able to successfully manage multiple competing priorities with minimal supervision and direction, who strives to exceed the needs of all stakeholders and partners.
• Proven ability to plan and execute small to medium marketing and communications projects from end-to-end; exposure to integrated marketing campaigns is an asset. Recent campaign examples required.
• Experience producing a variety of communication and marketing vehicles aimed at various audiences, including but not limited to eye-catching e-newsletters, email marketing and print collateral and engaging social media content.
• Exceptional English verbal and written communication skills; strong editing skills.
• Experience writing social media content, digital event toolkits, and newsletters, as well as creating PowerPoint presentations from concept to finish.
• Knowledge of principles of design and current trends in digital media planning and web-based marketing used to increase awareness and engaged followers.
• Extremely proficient using social media platforms and digital software tools (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite, Microsoft Office).
• Demonstrated digital analytic tracking and reporting experience using Google and social media platform analytics.
• Experience designing and creating webpages using HTML (Drupal 7 an asset).
• In-depth knowledge of, and experience using graphic design software (e.g., Canva or Adobe Creative Suite) and email marketing software (e.g., MailChimp, Constant Contact, Marketo).
• Proven ability to complete basic video editing (e.g., cutting segments (trimming), re-sequencing clips, and adding transitions and other special effects) and photography skills.
• Demonstrated writing skills; Collaborative, courteous relationship builder with exceptionally strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Superior organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills required in order to deal effectively with complex tasks and multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience completing projects on-time and on-budget while meeting defined objectives; event project management experience an asset.
• Willingness and ability to learn new digital marketing and communications skills, tools and platforms to maintain our competitive edge.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial thinking and/or innovation landscape an asset.

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities , and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.