Communications Coordinator Media Relations

Are you interested in helping to create a Brighter World?

McMaster University fuels curiosity, inquiry, and discovery. Every day, we push the boundaries of knowledge through our world-class, interdisciplinary research and our ground-breaking approaches to teaching and learning. Our students, researchers and staff are among the best and brightest.

Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs (CMPA) is a dynamic area of the university that coordinates its activities and works as a team to build relationships, reputation and resources. it is responsible for McMaster’s communications and strategic content strategy (including media relations, issues management, internal communications, neighbourhood relations), marketing and branding, and public affairs with all three levels of government.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Reputation, the Media Relations Coordinator will support a variety of content creation duties for written and digital publications, communications for the department and university. The Media Relations Coordinator also supports the implementation of creative strategies and content to grow audience engagement, particularly in emerging platforms while also updating and maintaining material for other departmental and University publications and contributing to other projects within the department as required.

The position contributes to a wide scope of communications produced by Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs, including development communications and proposals to students, community, and partners, as well as other audiences targeted by marketing efforts. This involves interacting with various stakeholders to ensure content produced reflects McMaster University’s positioning and branding to diverse audiences.

Accountabilities:

- Writes articles on research findings to pitch to media
- Works daily on media relations activities, both proactive and reactive
- Prepares experts for media interviews, including helping to hone clear messaging
- Manages social media account for media team. Uses all communication outlets to maximize media coverage, and contribute to ideas to better leverage these channels for media relations purposes
- Cultivate and manage relationships with key journalists
- Contribute to media outreach strategies and communications plans for key projects and initiatives
- Manage media attendees during interviews and events
- Prepare content for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs website
- Track and analyze quality and quantity of media coverage

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's Degree or Community College Diploma in Journalism, Communications or related field.
- Requires a minimum of 2 years of prior experience in a public relations, communications, journalism and/or marketing environment
- Advanced level of proficiency in digital communications
- Experienced in WordPress Content Management System an asset
- Experienced in using Meltwater or other media reporting tools an asset
- Superior interpersonal and communication skills (e.g. written and public speaking)
- Time management and multi-tasking abilities
- Superior attention to detail

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at
905-525-9140 ext. 222
- HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

**Vaccination Policy Statement**

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Policy will be currently paused, this Policy may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. As a result, failure to achieve and maintain fully vaccinated status or an approved human rights-based exemption may result in termination of employment. This is a term and condition of employment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizatio