CS Communications Manager

Job Responsibility: Staff - Non Union Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B Job Title CS Communications Manager Department Administrative Management | Department of Computer Science | Faculty of Science Compensation Range $6,747.50 - $9,701.42 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job. Posting End Date March 18, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Please submit both a cover letter and resume as part of your application. At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. Job Summary The Communications Manager provides communications leadership, including development and implementation of communication plans, for the UBC Department of Computer Science. Goals include: effective communication about the department's activities; building local, national, and international awareness of the Department, its research, and its wide range of exciting student programs; promoting the reputation of the Department to attract and engage collaborators and partners from academia and industry; and to attract top students. The Manager is the lead story writer and editor for the Department. Responsibilities include conceiving and creation of visual identities, story content, social media, and other communications efforts. The Manager contributes writing, design, publishing, video, photography and editing skills towards high standards for aesthetic quality, editorial and brand coherence, and accuracy of publications in print, web-based media and social media. The Manager also helps curate department data as necessary for story content and internal- and external communications. Organizational Status Leads communication operations within the Department of Computer Science. Receives direction from the Chair of the Communications Committee. Reports to the Director of Finance and Administration. Regularly engages with faculty and staff about ongoing research and activities that might benefit from advertising and marketing. Works with the CS technical staff web group and routinely collaborates with Computer Science faculty and staff in managing a broad range of communications activities. Liaises as necessary with the UBC Faculty of Science Development and Alumni Engagement, UBC Communications, and UBC Studios teams. Works occasionally with members of the media and public, other academic communities and government and Industry. Work Performed Communications

• Creates and curates stories and visuals showcasing the department's research, faculty, awards, events, outreach, alumni, and community impact. Collaborates with UBC Communications in the creation and dissemination of relevant stories.

• Manages internal and external communications initiatives, including web publication, social media channels, print publication, and public relations, with the objective to raise local, regional, provincial, national, and international awareness.

• Develops and maintains text content and visual assets for publications including: multiple websites, newsletters, brochures, flyers, ads, press releases, social media channels, annual reports, external reviews, and other promotional literature for publication online or in print.

• Develops and maintains department statistics to create text/stories and presentations for faculty to use as short snippets and formal presentations for graduate recruiting, industry outreach and fundraising. Is responsible for department statistics curation and maintains a department slide deck for use as promotional material.

• Manages social media, creates content, monitors and strategic use and develops existing and new communications channels. Handles tasks related to social media to build a network of followers.

• Keeps informed of current developments and trends in the fields of Computer Science to ensure enough contextual knowledge to be able to generate CS-related content.

• Takes digital photographs and video clips for use in communications and marketing initiatives and projects. Edits, crops, and digitally enhances photographs using software, e.g., Photoshop. Trims and edits video clips using video-editing software, e.g., Premiere, iMovie.

• Carries out research for, coordinates and prepares photo and video shoots for professional photography contracts. Sources appropriate photo and video subjects and locations; and communicates with photo and video subjects regarding shoot details. Initiates, gathers and files consent forms. Hires and coordinates professional photographers when required.

• Creates, edits, and distributes video content, including scripting, recording, and post-production.

Marketing/Branding:

• Establishes and maintains high standards for aesthetic quality and accuracy of department publications in all media. Ensures common look and feel and consistent messaging across all platforms.

• Acts as Brand Manager for all publications. Oversees the department's visual identities including developing and communicating the standards, developing templates, and approving the production of publications produced in-house or by external consultants to maximize the reach and reputation of the Department of Computer Science. Maintains standards consistently across all channels.

• Manages digital signage; including strategic use, content creation and implementation.

• Provides expertise to all faculty and staff toward maintaining content and visual standards for the research labs, departmental, personal web sites, and profiles. Advises and shares best practices with faculty and staff on development of communication pieces to ensure public-facing materials are consistent and on-brand.

Strategic Planning:

• Works with department leadership to develop and maintain a communication strategic plan that supports the marketing goals and strategic priorities of the department.

• Provides strategic planning for the Department's web site content. Works closely with department leadership, to ensure the website meets their needs; coordinates content generation and audience engagement as well as implements changes, including writing short, succinct, precise copy and edits and proofreads content.

• Develops, implements and evaluates the department's annual communications and marketing plan.

Administration:

• Coordinates production of publications and promotional materials in all stages of development, ensures that these publications and materials are prepared in a timely manner, regularly updated and meet continued needs; identifies and evaluates distribution methods negotiates and collaborates with internal users, recruits external suppliers, occasionally directs the work of a variety of contractors, consultants, and other service providers, both internal and external to the University.

• Responsible for the departmental Slack workspace, managing user access, channel creation, and access requests.

• Tracks all communications analytics and analyzes these data to understand gaps in the Department of Computer Science's communication to, and engagement with, its target audience; adapts and adjusts communications strategies to reach the target audiences. Creates summary reports of engagement activities.

• Researches, prepares, and reviews presentations, speeches, and articles related to communication, as requested by department leadership.

• Develops and maintains a department library of photos, videos, and audio files so as to constantly refresh the Department of Computer Science's image. Sources photographs and videos from digital asset libraries for use in communications and marketing initiatives and projects.

• Develops and maintains database of relevant contacts.

• Serves on department committees and task forces as appropriate.

• Works with UBC Faculty of Science Communications and UBC Communications to answer media inquiries and cultivates relations with news media locally and nationally.

• Provides input on budgets for specific initiatives and rationale for the annual costs of communications and marketing activities; manages approved budgets, tracks expenditures and requests funding based on specific projects and committee needs.

Consequence of Error/Judgement This position makes decisions regarding the quality and accuracy of communications materials produced that are critical to the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and UBC. Given the high profile and wide distribution of these materials throughout the University, across the country and around the world, inappropriate or inaccurate statements may seriously affect the image and reputation of individuals, Faculty members, and the University. The role requires the ability to think strategically and analytically about defining measures of success and metrics to track progress. Inappropriate, ineffectual, or poor messaging in communications could result in low recruitment and student retention, poor fundraising, or negative perception of the University's academic record. This position frequently juggles multiple projects with competing deadlines and must come up with creative plans to keep projects on track and on budget. The Communications Manager makes decisions regarding the management of a full range of communications, editorial and web services. This position must exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with senior staff and faculty and gain their support to ensure communications programs reflect the vision and work of Department of Computer Science and are delivered accurately and in a timely manner. Any errors and/or omissions in judgment could seriously undermine the roles, responsibilities and effectiveness of the Head, Department of Computer Science, UBC. Supervision Received The position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration. The incumbent performs all duties independently with work subject to periodic review and consultation with the Associate Head and/or other senior management to determine that the quality and quantity of work performed meets established program objectives. Works closely with the chair of the Communications committee. Works autonomously within broad mandates to meet goals, and according to direction from department leadership. Supervision Given Supervises contract employees and contributing journalists. Leads communications projects, brings together and supervises the Department of Computer Science staff who must contribute to implementation of the projects. May supervise Work/Study student assistants. Minimum Qualifications Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated ability and interest in scientific research communication, and to write quickly and fluently and adapt writing styles for various purposes, media requirements, and audiences. Ability to effectively engage faculty to provide content for publication. Must be well organized and have a strong ability to prioritize and delegate assignments, as well as work independently or in a team environment. Proven multitasking skills, including ability to work effectively under pressure, handle heavy volumes, and meet demanding deadlines. Ability to manage the complexity inherent within a multifaceted work environment, including ability to anticipate problems and to plan ahead. Ability to think critically and make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions, and exercise sound judgement. Strong attention to standards and detail. Ability to accurately proofread for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style consistency. Superior oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to deal with a diverse group of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner, and to work effectively with various levels of administration and university personnel. Ability to deal professionally with faculty, staff, administrators, graduate students, donors, media, and the public. Proven expertise in digital communications and web editing. Superior writing, editing, proofreading and design skills. Design and content creation (writing and images) experience for web and social media. Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of communications, new media, and public relations. Experience in technical writing, marketing, public relations, graphic design, publicity, media relations, or journalism is an asset. Video production experience is an asset. Web site development or search engine optimization understanding is an asset. A high degree of initiative required; ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Enthusiasm, openness to trying new things, and the ability to recognize opportunities is essential. Strong design aesthetic, layout, and graphics skills, and prepress knowledge. Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software, e-mail, programs, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook. High level of computer literacy, and willingness to learn to use new systems. Basic ability in photography and photo post-production required. The following would be an asset: advanced photography and photo post-production experience using software; videography and video postproduction experience using software such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere; web CMS systems such as WordPress and Drupal.