Digital Media Communications Specialist

Job Responsibility:

Digital Media, Communications Specialist

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) invites applications for the position of Digital Media, Communications Specialist. COU is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and will work actively to ensure equal opportunity to all applicants.

COU is the forum for Ontario's universities to collaborate and advocate in support of their shared mission to the benefit and prosperity of students, communities and the province of Ontario.

Our work advances postsecondary education through collective advocacy, sector collaboration and a range of shared services for our members, Ontario's universities. COU Secretariat is a collaborative team of professionals where each employee contributes directly to the success of the organization.

We are seeking an experienced social media professional with 3-5+ years of demonstrated social media, website management and corporate communications experience to work with the Director, Communications, as well as COU members to advance the interests of Ontario's universities with government, political parties and key external stakeholders through senior level strategic advice to the Public Affairs team.

The Digital Media, Communications Specialist works closely with COU colleagues on strategic communications, including taking a leading role in managing COU's digital channels including social media and websites. They will help promote the organization's brand and meet advocacy and membership objectives using evolving online marketing tools, including COU's websites, social media accounts, blogs, e-newsletters, and creative digital content.

COU invites applications from experienced professionals with backgrounds in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. We offer a competitive total compensation package and a close-knit and collaborative work environment in the heart of downtown Toronto's Discovery District. The hiring salary range for this position is $63,437-$70,573/year plus benefits package (remuneration commensurate to relevant skills and experience).

Responsibilities:

Digital Media

• Daily management of the organization's websites and social media pages
• Daily monitoring and reporting of traditional and social media, government channels, and stakeholder communications for political developments, commentary, threats, and opportunities and shares critical information with the Director, Communications and other colleagues in a timely manner
• Develops strategic digital media campaigns aligned with organizational objectives
• Suggests and implements social media marketing strategies for targeted campaigns
• Optimizes pages and content within each platform to increase the visibility of online content
• Plays a critical role in representing the “voice” of COU and Ontario's Universities through social media, and engages with and grows COU's audiences
• Creates, deploys, and analyzes performance of paid ads to maximize traffic and increase awareness
• Monitors and reports on ROI and KPIs using effective data analytic tools to gain insight on traffic, demographics, and effectiveness; utilizes this information to make recommendations and plans for revising social media, content marketing, SEO and social advertising campaigns
• Stays current in trends in social media tools, applications, channels, design and strategy

Graphic Design

• Uses software such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro to create and design digital and non-digital content, including social cards, video and promotional materials
• Ensures integrated messaging and consistent graphic presentation of our data, issues, branding, marketing and products across all platforms
• Lends support across all departments in writing and designing communications materials including brochures, letters, emails, etc. and in meeting digital needs, while maintaining brand alignment

Website Management

• Works with Director, Communications as well as website designers and providers, to plan, maintain, enhance and develop COU's online presence
• Plans, implements, manages, audits, monitors, and updates the organization's website with the aim to ensure the quality, efficiency and user experience of the website
• Identifies, responds to and troubleshoots website issues
• Works with the communications teams to strategically plan, prioritize and coordinate content for websites, social media activities and special projects across multiple channels
• Leverages strong understanding of analytics tools to regularly measure and create strategies to grow audiences and web traffic
• Collaborates with all staff and management to ensure that the website aligns with brand strategy and meets the organization's standards
• Ensures full compliance on the website with all laws and regulations and keeps up-to-date with industry best practices

Communications

• Uses a strategic communications and government relations lens to contribute to the development of multi-channel communications strategies and content that supports COU's priorities
• Uses superior writing skills to gather information and produce a variety of products to advance postsecondary education and support engagement in public affairs dialogue, including writing, developing, and strategizing online content production and scheduling (key messages, web stories, social and web copy, etc.)
• Creates and implements a social media campaigns and a posting calendar based on short-term and long-term strategies, as determined by the department
• Reviews news clips daily to determine those relevant to COU and its member institutions, and selects, organizes, and distributes them electronically; collects and records data regarding COU's earned media catalogue
• Contributes to the organization of special events, including advance preparation of communications materials and logistics such as: issuing/designing invitations, keeping a record of RSVPs, liaising with vendors, onsite support, etc.

Administrative Support

• Provides some administrative services for the Director, Communications and VP of Public Affairs, including expense reports and budget tracking
• Manages general email inbox to filter questions and requests for information appropriately
• Contributes to support of affiliate committees and working groups
• Maintains contact lists for stakeholders and partners
• Manages contracts and relationships with vendors and suppliers; assists in other communication duties as required

Education:

University degree in communications, journalism or another relevant field or equivalent experience.

Experience/Skills:

• At least 3-5+ years of professional experience in social media and website management; and strong experience in corporate communications
• Demonstrable social networking experience and social analytics tools knowledge
• Working knowledge of HTML, Wordpress, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro), Canva, content management systems (CMS), Mailchimp, Survey Monkey, Meltwater, Lumen5, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), and more
• In-depth knowledge of current social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), dashboards (Sprout Social), Google Analytics and more
• Expertise in design, graphics and layout in order to design and produce communications products in-house
• An understanding and familiarity of current and emerging trends in website design/maintenance and internet technologies including the analysis of web metrics
• Understanding of social media metrics; able to interpret the results and take action to increase effectiveness of social media campaigns
• Strong attention to detail, writing, editing (photo/video/text), presentation and communication skills
• Excellent analytical, project management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage external vendors such as website development companies
• An ability to multitask and perform under tight deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong political acumen and issues sensitivity
• Ability to monitor announcements and news and identify potential impacts for the sector
• Ability to think strategically to identify opportunities for communications campaigns to advance the advocacy agenda
• Knowledge of or experience in the Ontario university sector is an asset

Other:

• Demonstrated leadership capacity as well as team building; capacity to work collaboratively across the organization, with members and other stakeholders
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial in building new alliances, while being an ambassador for COU to other organizations
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment; adaptable and responsive to shifting priorities

Those qualified are asked to submit a cover letter with resume, outlining your experience and suitability for the position as well as salary expectations, to View email address on ca.edajobs.com by 5 p.m. on May 11, 2025.

Information regarding COU is available at

COU is an Equity-Focused and Equal Opportunity employer, committed to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as part of its core values. EDI is a vital component of COU's strategic priority to achieve organizational excellence. COU will foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion by enhancing and developing programs, policies, and training that supports and educates our employees. We recognize and appreciate the transformative power of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals who identify as members of equity-deserving communities.

COU 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 COU of your requirements.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Land Acknowledgement

The land on which the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) operates in the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishnabek Nation and Haudenosaunee, and the treaty land of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

The territory is the subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinabek and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land .

COU recognizes the historical and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples to our society, the historical and continuing injustices that Indigenous peoples endure, and the need for truth and reconciliation. COU is committed toforging a sustainable relationship with Indigenous partners based on principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity, and inclusion, towards making historic and significant progress in advancing the process of reconciliation in our communities, in our province, and across Canada.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $63,437.00-$70,573.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Bonus pay

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Toronto, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• Communications: 3 years (required)
• social media and social analytics: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-05-11Expected start date: 2025-06-02