Communications Assistant

**Schedule**
8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

**Education Level**
3 year Community College Diploma in Communications or Multimedia Design

**Career Level**
Experienced

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

**Communications Assistant**

**(JD 1142)**

This position supports both the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Working with the MIRA Communications Coordinator and CLSA Communications Manager, the Communications Assistant supports the strategic communications plans of both organizations. The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging is a large, national, long-term study of more than 50,000 individuals who were between the ages of 45 and 85 when recruited. These participants will be followed until 2033 or death. The aim of the CLSA is to find ways to help us live long and live well, and understand why some people age in healthy fashion while others do not. The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging is an interdisciplinary research institute advancing the science of aging. MIRA’s approach is to conduct research in cross-Faculty teams and engage the older adult community, their families, healthcare providers and other key stakeholders through every stage of our activities, from research to evaluation and implementation of interventions and technologies.

**Job Summary**: Organize and perform a full range of administrative duties that require a thorough understanding of established functions, policies, and procedures. Design multimedia content for print, web, social media and video in accordance with University brand guidelines. Plan and coordinate a variety of events. Responsible for providing direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.

**Purpose and Key Functions**:

- Design multimedia content for print, web, social media and video in accordance with University brand guidelines.
- Collect and develop content for a variety of communications including but not limited to, newsletters, social media and press releases.
- Liaise with a variety of stakeholders to promote department in print and online, in cooperation with internal departments.
- Collect, analyze, assess and summarize information relevant to the decision making process and developing recommendations for final approval and implementation.
- Plan and coordinate a variety of events, conferences and activities.
- Prepare estimates of time and resources required for various events, conferences and activities.
- Complete travel expense reports, electronic cheque requisitions and purchase orders.
- Create a variety of documents including, but not limited to, correspondence, reports and procedure manuals.
- Monitor budgets, verify data and reconcile event accounts.
- Update and maintain information and content on websites and social networks.
- Resolve issues relating to events, committees and activities.
- Take meeting minutes for committee meetings.
- Update and maintain confidential files and records.
- Handle sensitive material in accordance with established policies.

**Supervision**:

- Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks
- Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff and volunteers

**Requirements**:

- 3 year Community College Diploma in Communications or Multimedia Design.
- Requires 2 years of related experience.

**Assets**:

- Previous experience with oral and written communication in French is an asset.
- Previous experience in knowledge translation is an asset.

**Additional Information**:

- Experience in the following areas:

- Maintaining websites and content management systems (such as WordPress), including creating pages; laying-out content; formatting text and links; and embedding images and video.
- Video editing processes and software including Adobe Premiere Pro
- Graphic design software including Canva, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop and Lightroom
- Carrying out a strategic social media plan that advances a larger strategic communications plan (especially Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram)
- Recognizing and sharing content from trusted, relevant sources that align with strategic direction of the organizations
- Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team environment.
- Strong organizational and administrative abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

MIRA and the CLSA are located at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP). A hybrid work schedule is offered, with the majority of hours worked to be in-person at MIP.

**How To Apply**

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and