Senior Communications Officer

Date Posted: 05/30/2022
Req ID: 24514
Faculty/Division: University of Toronto Scarborough
Department: UTSC: Development & Alumni Relations
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Position Number: 00047235

About us:

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by our Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

Leading the fundraising and alumni relations activities for University of Toronto Scarborough, the Development & Alumni Relations Office (DARO) supports the campus and over 60,000 alumni. At this time, UTSC is undertaking an ambitious strategic plan with an approach of inspiring inclusive excellence. As we prepare for our next big challenge, DARO seeks an experienced, detail-oriented individual who exemplifies a customer-oriented, hospitality-focused approach to stakeholders.

Your opportunity:

Under the direction of the Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations, this role is responsible for providing strategic communications and supporting new engagement strategies and products to enhance and support the efforts of the development and alumni team within the Department. This involves working with information including reports, data analysis, extensive research and writing clear and compelling campaign materials, proposals, stewardship collateral, web and social media content as well as speeches for office of Advancement initiated events. The role will create and support strategic alumni and development communication tools including new and innovative social media initiatives, among others. This position leads writing and editing reports and stories of the highest quality and accuracy for both print and digital media. The role leads the production of various communications material including websites, regular alumni newsletters, and more on a wide range of topics for various audiences locally, nationally and internationally. This role also has an indirect reporting relationship with the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure productive two-way communication in areas of mutual interest, to provide support and guidance, and to ensure alignment of communication related activity within the University’s institutional framework.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs
• Developing and implementing marketing plans to promote programs, events and/or initiatives that support strategic objectives
• Advising on strategies to communicate across multiple channels
• Writing project-specific proposals and briefings related to fundraising campaigns
• Researching and writing stewardship reports, cultivation material and fundraising proposals
• Liaising with colleagues to encourage the use of best practices and consistent brand messaging
• Designing surveys to support the evaluation of strategies and objectives
• Analyzing the effectiveness of campaigns and/or programs using metrics

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in corporate communication, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of professional writing experience, preferably in a fundraising environment
• Experience working with, and drafting communications for senior-level administrators/Executive level.
• Demonstrated success working with a variety of stakeholders writing persuasive materials with a preference for those with experience generating targeted fundraising proposals
• Experience planning communications projects
• Experience writing engaging print and digital content to demonstrate the impact of investment in higher education and research
• High degree of proficiency working with MS Office Suite and editing text in Adobe InDesign files
• Creative and solutions-oriented; passion for communications and donor-centric storytelling; exceptional attention to detail with the ability to generate new ideas, propose changes and encourage innovation
• Strong research, writing, proofreading and journalistic skills
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, strong interpersonal and verbal communications skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Evidence of leadership and initiative.
• Discretion and tact in handling confidential information. Diplomacy and excellent judgement.
• Ability to set priorities and targets and to meet deadlines in relation to frequently changing demands.
• Applicants are also expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Previous experience working in post-secondary or not for profit organization.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Achievement oriented
• Communicator
• Cooperative
• Efficient
• Persuasive
• Resourceful

Closing Date: 06/17/2022, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 — $85,159 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $108,904. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, person with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encourage to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.