Partner, Communications & Marketing

This posting is open to current employees at the University of Alberta only. Please indicate your internal status using the “Advertisement” drop down menu when applying.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Temporary Librarian, Administrative and Professional Staff (TLAPO) Agreement , this position offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary range of  $62,158 – $103,634

This position has an end date of December 1, 2024.

Location – This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person with on-site work taking place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department

The Strategic Communications portfolio enables the University of Alberta to deliver on the vision and goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan. We illustrate the value that the U of A provides to our community and to society as a whole.

In service of the One University strategy, we work with academic and operational leaders to tie their operational and strategic plans into the larger university strategy in a way that moves the dial on important measures of success. As a centre of expertise, we view our communications from end to end throughout the life cycles of our important communities. We integrate the seemingly disparate initiatives into a master narrative that showcases the unique aspects of the University of Alberta.

Whether we work directly with partners on their initiatives, or support their work through portfolio-initiated projects, we connect the dots from strategies across the institution – especially where they connect to the larger institutional goals – and draw them together into a compelling and consistent narrative of one of the Top 5 universities in Canada.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Partner, the Partner, Communications and Marketing will help advance the strategic goals of a College, Faculty or Vice-president portfolio at the University of Alberta.

As Partner, Communications and Marketing, you will develop and work closely with colleagues to deliver integrated communications, marketing, digital and creative services to internal and external audiences. As the dedicated point of contact for client service for a specific portfolio you’ll provide excellent client relations service and strategic communications and marketing advice.

If you’re a proactive relationship manager who excels at driving strategic communications and marketing solutions, and balancing priorities and projects serving multiple senior leaders, this role was made for you. As an organized, detail-oriented and collaborative person, you enjoy problem solving, building momentum on a team and delivering solutions.

As a successful candidate, you will work collaboratively with colleagues in External Relations across a range of areas, including: internal communications, editorial strategy, creative and digital, brand, marketing, media relations and more.

Duties

Communications and marketing planning:

• Develop communications and marketing strategies for client portfolios.
• Gather pertinent information for project scoping, lead project meetings, support Communications Associates with task completion, manage timelines, resources and delivery of strategic communications and marketing solutions.
• Work with Centres of Expertise including media relations, issues management and creative and digital solutions on the execution of communications and marketing strategies.

Relationship management 

• Steward strategic partnerships and information sharing.
• Regularly assess processes and workflow to ensure consistency and efficiency, recommending changes when appropriate.
• Provide strategic advice, information and technical interpretation on complex strategic communications matters in a manner that can be easily understood by leaders/partners who do not share the same technical background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, marketing or journalism in a complex organization
• Expertise in client management or partner relations in a multi-collaborator organization (ability to work with all levels of staff and management)
• Deep understanding of communication channels and audience evaluation
• Experience in developing complex strategies (marketing and communications)
• Solid commitment to consultation, collaboration and communication
• High degree of professionalism and judgment
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Demonstrated experience and training supporting successful communications related to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous initiatives
• Solid understanding of academic culture, the university’s policies and procedures and its organizational structure

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.