Communications Officer

Overview:
**Term: 2 years**

The Communications Officer is a key member of the Advancement Marketing & Communications team and will deliver creative and tactical planning, implementation and project management of integrated communications plans, projects and strategies to support the Office of Advancements goals: to increase alumni engagement, raise philanthropic support and build Waterloo champions.

Reporting to the Director, Marketing & Communications, the Communications Officer works as part of a dynamic and integrated team within Advancement and with campus partners, to thoughtfully and effectively engage our community of alumni, donors and prospects, through compelling communications using various channels.

The Communications Officer will have accountability for one-to-two key units within Advancement but will support all Advancement communications as needed. The role will have definitive accountabilities such as editor of the alumni e-newsletter, management of the annual report, or creation of highly customized content for high-level donors etc. Projects may include initiatives to support alumni engagement, donor solicitations, cultivation, stewardship or recognition.
- At the USG 10 level, the job title becomes Senior Communications Officer.

**Responsibilities**:
Create, plan and execute creative content for all Advancement audiences
- Proactively writes, edits, creates content, project coordinates, executes and evaluates Advancement communications which may include: alumni e-newsletter, web content, social media content, print publications, audio content, proposals, letters, video storyboarding and scripting writing, video creation, invitations, media releases, stories, profiles or advertisements
- Develops and executes project strategies and integrated communication plans across all channels to successfully engage our audiences and inspire action
- Provides creative support including strategy, content creation and editing for 1-2 key units within Advancement; may also provide support for Advancement-related projects led by University Relations or other campus units, such as Waterloo Magazine
- Produces compelling stories and profiles that demonstrate impact and inspire alumni engagement and donor support
- Manages web content and web platforms, using analytics and reporting to inform content strategy
- Provides writing and editing support for all Advancement, as required, to ensure high-quality and consistent messaging
- Develops high-level, customized writing for targeted audiences, working with the Office of the President and Vice-President, Advancement to reflect the voices of senior leadership in letters, internal messaging, speaking notes, social media posts and more
- Liaises with Advancement partners across campus to ensure a consistent strategy when planning creative projects and contacting alumni, donors and volunteers
- Ensures all strategies and content aligns with the University brand and supports the needs of Advancement

Collaborates, advises and consults
- Uses communications area expertise to provide advice on strategic and integrated communication plans to develop audience-specific content that will best resonate with audiences and maximize results
- Works collaboratively as a member of the Advancement Marketing & Communications team in order to strategically support Advancement and University goals
- Works closely with campus partners, including Faculties, colleges, and units such University Relations on projects, in a highly collaborative and creative environment
- Liaises with campus partners to share current projects in Advancement and amplify content that may be of interest to alumni, donor and volunteer audiences
- Provides high level of customer service internally and externally to support relationship cultivation and engagement with Waterloo
- Provides creative direction to Creative Services or third-party vendors on writing, design, photography and videography
- Coordinates and art directs photography and video development, as needed, working collaboratively with colleagues who may be lead on these projects
- Manages or provides coaching to junior team members or co-op students, as needed
- Participates in Advancement communications committees/working groups, as needed

Manages creative communications projects
- Conducts research, interviews alumni and donors, gathers testimonials and photos for publications and websites, providing a professional and engaging level of interaction with both internal and external stakeholders
- Evaluates all communication initiatives, through data analysis and collaborative post-mortem exercises to inform future decision making and return on investment
- Researches donor and alumni behavior, staying on top of best practices and evolving trends in Advancement
- Coordinates and art directs photography and video development, working collaboratively with colleagues who may be the project lead
- Remains current on communications best practices