Communications Specialist

Type: Full-time
Location: Downtown Toronto location at University and Dundas, near St. Patrick Station, Toronto, ON, Canada
(180 Dundas West, Suite 1902)

About the Employer

Established in 2011, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) was created to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students looking to transfer among Ontario's publicly funded colleges, universities and Indigenous institutes. As a member organization, we work with those institutions to develop transfer credit policies and practices to ease student mobility. As a non-profit organization created and funded by the Government of Ontario, ONCAT works with postsecondary education institutions to build a seamless system for transfer credit in Ontario and support student mobility.

About the Position

If you are a talented and creative communications professional looking to join a diverse group of highly skilled, intelligent people who are passionate about student mobility, we are looking for a Communications Specialist.

Reporting to the Operations Director, the incumbent will be digitally savvy and collaborative. Their main responsibility will be supporting the implementation of ONCAT’s strategic goals and priorities through the continued development and execution of ONCAT’s communications plan. This includes creative development and production of print and digital communications and collaborating with ONCAT colleagues on knowledge mobilization initiatives that make sector-wide research and policy work more creatively accessible. The incumbent cultivates and manages positive communications internally and externally with students, colleges, universities, media and the community.

Key Responsibilities

Development of Print and Digital Communication

  • Manages the development, production and distribution of promotional and collateral materials.
    • Prepares written materials including copywriting for business communications, reports, media releases, newsletters, presentation scripts, conference materials and the Annual Report.
  • Works with ONCAT’s Senior Researcher to capture and represent research project findings in accessible formats for multiple audiences.
  • Collaborates with ONCAT colleagues and stakeholders generating visually engaging and informative infographics, and maintaining a strong social media presence for ONCAT and ONTransfer.ca.
  • Represents ONCAT at various media events, workshops, and fairs internal and external to the organization
  • Synthesizes insights from multiple ONCAT activities and initiatives to support ONCAT’s priorities.
  • Develops graphic design and oversight of ONCAT’s visual identity.
    • Designs print collateral including brochures, annual reports, infographics and corporate communications materials.
    • Ensures consistency and quality in ONCAT’s products and communication materials.
    • Manages external vendors to coordinate production and printing.
  • Develops content for ONTransfer.ca and ONCAT.ca websites.
    • Designs within Drupal, updating html code with support of ONCAT.ca’s website vendor
    • Designs banners for the websites, creates graphics and images for social media, and designs communications materials.
    • Works with ONCAT staff leads to ensure ONCAT’s corporate website is updated and content refreshed on a regular basis.
  • Nurtures and builds relationships with vendors and other industry contacts to craft and execute creative marketing materials.
  • Develops content for social media channels (e.g. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
  • Monitors all posts (positive and negative), both through social media and the comments section of website, and reports posts of any significance to leadership.

Communication Planning and Evaluation

  • Develops and manages ONCAT’s annual communications/ public relations plan to advance and broaden awareness of programs and priorities.
  • Monitors and evaluates strategic communications tactics/activities and, where required, makes adjustments or improvements to activities to increase effectiveness.
  • Monitors advertising spending, defining return on investment for promotional activities.
  • Defines and implements ONCAT’s social media strategy broadening read to appropriate audiences.
  • Creates and maintains a daily an editorial calendar for social media activity.
  • Outsources communications support as appropriate with Human Resources support.
  • Participates in departmental budget development and monitoring.
  • Develops and oversees production of ONCAT’s print and digital communication to promote both the corporate and student facing websites (ONCAT.ca and ONTransfer.ca).
  • Provides creative support and web design knowledge through the redevelopment of ONTransfer.ca.
  • Manages advertising and marketing of ONCAT/ONTransfer.ca activities.
    • Monitors effective benchmarks (best practices) for measuring the impact of digital marketing campaigns.
    • Advises in the development & execution of digital ads, including the management of Google analytics.
    • Advises on media buying opportunities, purchases advertisements and researches new opportunities to increase awareness of ONTransfer.ca.

Education and Experience

  • Undergraduate degree or advanced diploma, preferably in Marketing or Communications.
  • 5 to 7 years’ of relevant work experience in communications progressively into senior roles.
  • Experience managing stakeholder relations, communication/ media plans, projects and initiatives.
  • Experience working in a non-profit (provincial or national) or broader public sector organization, or postsecondary educational institution.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including:
    • Copy writing (including web content)
    • Proofreading and editing
    • Copy editing
    • Ability to clearly communicate information effectively and persuasively.
  • Excellent knowledge of marketing and graphic design principles, including experience using social media tools to engage with stakeholders combined with an ability to market/publish web content effectively.
  • Strong project and time management skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to establish, collaborate and maintain relationships with a diverse range of people and organizations (e.g. vendors, internal experts or teams, stakeholders, students).
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • High proficiency with MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Strong understanding of content managements systems including Drupal.
  • Fluency in French is an asset.

 

Working Environment

Office environment, some travel may be required.

Application Instructions

Please email your resume and cover letter to careers@oncat.ca and use the position title as your subject line.

The deadline to apply is March 20th, 2020 11:59pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted. We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

Additional testing may be required.

 

ONCAT is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment process to applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require an accommodation during this process, please inform ONCAT of your requirements.