Marketing & Communications Strategist

Schedule Monday - Friday; 8:30 - 4:30 (hybrid)

Education Level Bachelor's Degree

Career Level Minimum of 3 years relevant experience Exhibiting strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, the design vendor, project team, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs (CMPA) and University Technology Services (UTS) will also be key to ensuring the success of the project. The Faculty is seeking a team-player who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can work under pressure and within tight timelines and is always ready to face new challenges. Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering plays a key role in helping McMaster University earn its reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative and research-intensive universities. McMaster Engineering has a reputation for innovative programs, cutting-edge research, leading faculty, and aspiring students. It has earned a strong reputation as a centre for academic excellence and innovation. The Faculty has approximately 187 faculty members, along with 7,000 undergraduate and about 1,100 graduate students. The Faculty attracts approximately $44 million in annual research funding. Engineering faculty, staff and students at McMaster pursue research and learning in more than 20 research centres, institutes and networks whose interdisciplinary pursuits cross departmental and Faculty boundaries. McMaster Engineering’s communications team work collaboratively to produce innovative content that inspires and engages faculty, students, staff, and alumni. From written articles to digital advertising to graphic design to social media storytelling, the team applies a range of expertise to enhance the Faculty’s reputation and rankings, attract top students, strengthen the Fireball Family community and service the needs of the Faculty.

Job Summary: Responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating effective marketing and communication program strategies and managing the Faculty’s Website Development project, to promote the programs, services, events, and workshops provided by the department.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Oversee the development and content strategy of the department website.
• Develop annual marketing and communications strategies in consultation with others.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate the visual identity and branding for the department through the use of effective marketing and communication strategies.
• Ensure marketing initiatives are communicated and understood by others and that they are in compliance with the University’s branding policy and other relevant procedures and guidelines.
• Develop guidelines and policies to ensure the consistency of messaging and standards as it relates to the marketing and communication strategy.
• Design, prepare, and distribute online and print collateral.
• Develop and conduct surveys and facilitate focus groups to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented marketing and communication strategies.
• Develop strong working relationships with key contacts and stakeholders within the internal and external community for the purpose of promoting the activities and programs of the department.
• Make recommendations on the schedule of activities and events for purposes of effective and integrated promotion.
• Write business plans which include the development of communication and strategic plans and objectives.
• Write articles and publications to promote activities, events, and programs.
• Coordinate, review, and edit all web content to ensure the quality of content.
• Coordinate and manage all marketing and promotional initiatives including, but not limited to, all print material, website, social media and public media presence.
• Coordinate and write the department's annual report and accomplishments.
• Establish work priorities and schedule the necessary resources for plan implementations.
• Establish and maintain high quality professional standards for all related output from the department.
• Develop and monitor the marketing and communications budget.
• Provide recommendations on the financial and staff resources required to support the implementation of marketing plans.
• Respond to inquiries and provide advice to others regarding marketing, communications, social media and print publications.
• Develop and deliver presentations to promote programs and activities.
• Provide support in the recruitment, retention, and engagement strategy for casual staff.
• Liaise with media, advertising and professional print and web designers.
• Respond to media inquiries through various mediums.
• Participate on committees related to marketing, communications, and branding within the organization.
• Research best practices and effective marketing and outreach trends.

Supervision:

• Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 ca