Media Relations Coordinator

**The University of Ottawa—A crossroads of cultures and ideas**

The University of Ottawa is home to a dynamic community of over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroad of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We believe in the power of representation, and that increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff supports this objective. Our goal is to provide students with the best possible learning experience, in an environment that reflects the diversity of its people, their ideas, and their identities.

We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. Our employees come together around the shared purpose of constant improvement, personal development, service excellence, teamwork and a passion for learning with a desire to make uOttawa and the world a better place. Everyone's contributions are valued, we all play a part in making uOttawa a world-class institution. Most importantly, we make it possible for you to achieve your full potential. **Because at uOttawa, you belong**

**Position purpose**:
Reporting to the Manager, Media Relations, the **bilingual Media Relations Officer **anticipates and assesses media and communication needs of assigned beats and projects. Participates in the definition of their requirements and analyzes options and strategies to recommend the most effective means to meet the requirements. The incumbent participates in the development of communications plans and strategies and develops communication tools such as scenarios, releases, feature ideas, special event, etc. The incumbent will develop and maintain a network of contacts with a broad range of print, broadcast and web media throughout Canada. The incumbent will also participate in ensuring the proper media relations strategies during specific emergency situations on campus.

**In this role, your responsibilities will include**:

- Participates in the formulation and implementation of a proactive and multi-faceted media relations program for the University which will focus on building visibility in regional, national, and international print and broadcast media, and with other key audiences.
- Develops communication plans and approaches; consults with assigned clients/portfolio/beats to identify communication needs, issues, and requirements.
- Acts as a resource person and provides advice on communication issues,
- Media events - leads and/or coordinates planning, organizing, and implementation of media events on and off campus such as news conferences, lab tours, official openings of buildings, etc.
- Leads and/or coordinates, or participates in internal committees, project teams/freelancers, and work groups to review/develop communication strategies, plans and approaches.

**What you will bring**:

- University degree or equivalent education and experience, preferably in Communications Journalism or a related area
- Minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in media relations, journalism or a related area
- **Superior verbal and written communication skills in both official languages (English and French)**:

- Knowledge and experience in media relations, with knowledge of media relations principles and practices
- Experience in building and maintaining relationships with media
- Analytical methods and practices to analyze and interpret communication requirements and to provide advice on a wide range of communication and media issues
- Experience in the use of different computer software such as word processors
- Experience in managing small-scale media events and securing media coverage of events and news
- Ability to organize and execute several projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks, often under tight deadlines
- Oral and written ability to develop in French and English various scenarios, strategies, communication plans, and coaching material
- Ability to quickly understand current events issues and work with faculty and administration to describe the significance of these events to the university and to the educational system
- Ability to quickly assimilate research findings and translate these findings into plain language for a variety of audiences

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $71,050.00-$89,750.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Flextime
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Deg