Director, Strategic Marketing

Full Time - Admin Brampton, ON, CA

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1065

Salary Range: $115,683.00 To 144,603.00 Annually

Algoma University is committed to undoing systemic and institutional discrimination and being publicly transparent and accountable. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Special Mission. In keeping with the Seven Grandfather teachings that are the core values that inform our decisions as an institution, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and safe environment where everyone belongs. We live these values through the strength and richness that diversity brings to our workforce and welcome contributors from equity-deserving groups including: Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, Persons with Disabilities, 2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer persons.

Job Title:

Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications Administration

Position Status: 

Permanent, Full-Time Non-Union

Department:

Strategic Marketing & Communications

Supervision Received:

Vice President, Growth & External Relations

Supervision Exercised:

Manager, Strategic Marketing 

Manager, Strategic Communications

Location:

Brampton or Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Number of Positions:

1

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

A.

Strategic Marketing & Communications

45%

B.

Issues Management & Media Relations

45%

C.

Administrative & Other Duties

10%

TOTAL

100%

The Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing, leading, monitoring and implementing Algoma University’s strategic marketing and communications activities, including oversight of internal and external communication channels, required to support the achievement of established institutional priorities. The role develops and executes strategic communications and marketing initiatives, which increase institutional brand awareness, and further advance Algoma University’s Special Mission and equity, diversity, inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization efforts, while enhancing institutional reputation and maintaining and building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Marketing & Communications (45%)

Develop and drive strategic marketing and communications for the University by:

Leading the work of the Marketing & Communications team in the development, execution, and analysis of strategic internal and external communications.

Developing and guiding the execution of a multi-year, integrated, university-wide strategic marketing and communications plan to achieve the University’s vision and support enrolment growth.

Establishing effective communication structures, processes, and workflows required to ensure effective and consistent internal and external communications that align with key institutional messages and strategic priorities.

Providing visionary leadership and representation of strategic communications and marketing broadly across all Algoma campuses.

Developing and overseeing the implementation of university-level internal and external communications, digital communications, and social media.

Delivering opportunities to highlight Algoma University in regional and national media outlets. 

Leading the Marketing & Communications team in cultivating relationships and securing stories in media outlets.

Pioneering innovative and cutting-edge engagement marketing strategies leveraging video, social media, and other delivery channels.

Overseeing the evolutionary implementation of the University brand and reputational elements through a marketing lens.

Developing and delivering brand content over a variety of platforms and directing a dashboard of key metrics to track progress and effectiveness.

Driving awareness of the University and its contributions to society and the economy to local, national, and global audiences.

Working collaboratively to support Faculty-based marketing and communications strategies and undertakings and their alignment with university messaging.

Ensuring relevant actions and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with strategic enrolment management, advancement, and communications are realized through effective marketing and communication strategies aligned with established goals, including developing marketing materials to support recruitment campaigns. 

Ensuring Algoma University has strategies and mechanisms to address internal and external communication needs consistent with the University's mission, vision, and values, including those tied to issues management and crisis communications.

Working closely with the President’s Office, VP of Growth and External Relations, the Office of Advancement, and others to ensure active participation in crucial community initiatives and committees that advance Algoma’s institutional profile. 

Overseeing website content development, updating and analysis, video content creation, social media management across multiple platforms, and marketing material development.

Creating and publishing President’s Board and Annual Reports, and providing regular reports to support institutional priorities, projects, and initiatives. 

Overseeing the publishing of bi-weekly digital newsletters for employees and students.

Facilitating regular employee town hall sessions (virtual, or in-person), including presentation development, design, agenda setting, and oversight.

Overseeing the coordination and logistical support required for media and funding announcements, agreement signings, conferences, and other special events. 

Developing targeted communication memos and email messaging. 

Ensuring a client-centered approach to all marketing and communications, providing support and advice for advancement campaigns, alumni relations initiatives, Indigenous engagement work, and marketing and communications emerging from various university faculties.

Issues Management & Media Relations (45%)

Provide leadership to issues management and media relations for the University by:

Providing strategic advice, identifying external relations opportunities and risks attached to initiatives and opportunities, and providing communications support where required.

Working closely with the Office of the President, Senior Leadership Team, and others in times of crisis to ensure issues are handled effectively and efficiently to ensure a minimal residual impact on institutional reputation.

Serving as designated official spokesperson when required. 

Establishing and refining policies, procedures, and processes to guide the consistency of institutional communication responses.

Leading the department to ensure positive relations with local, provincial, national, and international media.

Establishing and nurturing relationships and partnerships with media that leverage paid and earned media to enhance Algoma’s credibility and stature in identified communities and targeted markets.

Ensuring processes are in place to allow students, faculty, staff, and alumni to leverage media opportunities and promote interest in Algoma University’s success.

Reviewing and analyzing media tracking activity and outcomes. 

Ensuring Algoma University research projects, events, and partnerships receive earned media coverage in strategic markets locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.

Supporting the needs of official spokespersons (e.g. the President, the Chair of the Board of Governors, VP, Growth and External Relations) or serving as official spokesperson to ensure consistent key messages, background information, speaking notes, and supporting material to fulfill their responsibilities properly. 

Being actively engaged in university issues management, providing leadership and counsel on crisis communications, and serving as the university spokesperson, where appropriate.

Ensuring all media inquiries are handled quickly and professionally.

Administrative & Other Duties (10%)

Acting as a management team member responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction of the Growth and External Relations team. 

Identifying, developing, and implementing projects to improve service quality, relationships, stakeholder satisfaction, timeliness, staff capability, and performance. 

Monitoring business practices to ensure that the Marketing and Communications department has the appropriate practices and processes in place to work effectively internally, and appropriately represent the University externally. 

Leading and participating in other department projects, as required.

Serving as the institutional representative on the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and Ontario University Public Affairs Council (OUPAC).

Undergraduate degree in Marketing or Communications (advanced degree preferred), and a minimum of ten (10) years of direct experience in developing and delivering marketing, media relations, and communications strategies in a large, public institution, or an equivalent combination of education, training, skills, and experience. 

Proven track record in strategic marketing and communications planning, recruiting/sales management, brand management, agency relationship management, central budget management, internal client management, creative and copy direction and feedback, and strong digital media knowledge and management.

Experience leading diverse professional experts and demonstrated achievement of team goals and shared vision in that environment. 

Experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a team of marketing and communications specialists.

Advanced experience working with various traditional and modern marketing and communications functions and tactical platforms.

Extensive experience developing and executing digital marketing campaigns across various platforms, including social media audience creation and engagement.

Experience working with the press and other related media outlets.

Thorough knowledge of marketing principles; brand, product, and service management; sales and business development; and a demonstrated success and performance track record.

Excellent strategic planning capabilities with an ability to identify and respond to changing market dynamics, translating them into actionable strategies to achieve business objectives.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including effective presentation abilities.

Superior interpersonal skills to enhance effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including media, business executives, alumni, faculty, and senior staff.

Exceptional organization skills with the ability to function effectively on several tasks and maintain attention to detail

Superior situational analysis, judgment, and decision-making skills.

Proactive problem solver with the ability to resolve issues with minimal direction.

Excellent follow-up and ongoing communication skills to ensure that internal and external stakeholders are clear on deliverables, roles, and responsibilities.

Experience working within a complex, unionized environment.

Excellent knowledge of technologies, tools, and software required to support communications activities. 

Excellent knowledge of budgeting, office management, and administrative functions.

Excellent editing and content creation skills.

Ability to maintain privileged and confidential information.

Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure deadlines are met.

Salary Scale: 

$115,683 to $144,603  annually

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter  HERE  no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 11, 2024.

Algoma University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our community and is an equal-opportunity employer. The university invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our Institution, including equity-deserving groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIPA+ persons). 

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Algoma University throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.