Communications Manager

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, of Integrated Marketing and Communications, the

Communications Manager is responsible for providing communication services to the Development and Alumni Engagement Portfolio. The incumbent will develop and implement communications materials and vehicles to support the Portfolio mission of providing donors and donor-alumni with meaningful opportunities for engagement and investment with the University.

The Manager develops, manages and implement a wide variety of print and electronic media projects to communicate the impact of fundraising and alumni engagement in support of the Portfolio’s priorities for the University with regards to donor and alumni activity.

The Manager assesses communication requirements and works with the Associate Director of Communications to develop appropriate plans and communication vehicles, as well as to monitor production, timelines and budgets, while ensuring accurate reporting.

The Manager is at all times expected to be cognizant of the need to liaise appropriately with our colleagues in Alumni Engagement and Development in order to help deliver an integrated, portfolio-wide communications offering.

Organizational Status

Reports to: Senior Director, of Integrated Marketing and Communications

Works with: Development, Events, Donor Engagement, Alumni Affairs, UBC Media Relations, UBC Brand and Marketing, UBC service providers, external vendors, senior administrators, and other stakeholders as required

Work Performed

· Develops, produces and implements communications programs and vehicles in print and electronic media to support the Portfolio mission of providing donors with meaningful opportunities for engagement and investment with the University.

· Works with various teams to implement and execute specific donor recognition and/or reporting materials to support the Portfolio s priorities for the University with regards to donor activity.

· Executes integrated communications initiatives together with the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Includes project pre-work, job submissions, managing time-lines and vendors, printers, obtaining necessary approvals, copy and layout editing and coordinator response mechanisms.

· Works with project requesters for testing, approvals and sending.

· Supports the deployment and tracking of portfolio wide and development eNewsletter as required.

· Actively contributes to the development and production of marketing and communication plans and projects.

· Assesses communication requirements, develops appropriate plans and communication vehicles, monitors production, timelines and budgets, and ensures accurate reporting.

· Develops and produces portfolio wide and development marketing and communication plans and projects.

· Oversees day to day operation of the Development website, including managing the requests via our ticketing system, as well as adding new stories and updating content.

· Oversees day to day operation of the DAE intranet, including managing the requests via our ticketing system, allocating to team members for implementation, quality control and final delivery to requestors.

· Produce monthly reports to track out production deliverables. Includes creative, website, email and intranet tracking.

· Communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholder groups.

· Initiates, develops and produces communications support to donor recognition events and announcements.

· Participates in ongoing professional development opportunities.

· Addresses internal and external ad hoc customer service issues as they arise.
· Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Initiatives executed by the Communications Manager on behalf of the Development and Alumni Engagement portfolio are very public, and are critical to donor and alumni engagement efforts. The position has dealings with staff, faculty, as well as the business community and external suppliers.

Errors in judgment could have far-reaching and long-term serious negative reputational, financial and public relations impacts for the university and its partners. Information provided by this position is used in making managerial and policy decisions at a strategic and senior level.

Poor leadership, or the lack of diplomacy, foresight or sound judgment could have a serious negative impact on the reputation of the University, its senior administrators, the portfolio, faculty and staff. It could also alienate existing and potential donors as well as jeopardize relationships with alumni, resulting in a potential loss of significant donations or critical relationships.

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications and the Communications Managing Director as required. Works independently against broad objectives.

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

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of six years experience or communications services or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive experience in print, digital and design coordination.

Experience in creative direction.

Educational and/or development/alumni experience is an asset. Ability to coordinate across organizational boundaries and motivate staff outside of their sphere of control. Must have initiative, be a self-starter, and adapt easily to changing priorities as well as the ability to manage multiple initiatives. Flexible and adaptable team player. Strong leadership, relationship-building and collaboration skills required in liaising with internal and external clients. Excellent coaching, consulting, and negotiating skills. Proven strategic and creative thinker, innovator and problem-solver, with high attention to detail, along with skills in conflict resolution. Ability to conceptualize and provide strategic and integrated communications solutions in complex and unique situations and directly link and reflect the University s fundraising missions and goals. Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with an exceptional ability to generate enthusiasm and interest in readers. Background in fundraising communications preferred. Knowledge of fundraising in a university environment. High level of attention to detail and accuracy of work. Ability to work independently and to lead a group to meet deadlines Ability to work effective with all levels of university personnel, including senior personnel Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop-on both PC and Mac platforms (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, WordPress and SharePoint knowledge is an asset).