Web Content Specialist

Job Summary

Student Communications Services (SCS) provides communications leadership and support to UBC's Office of the Vice-President, Students (VPSO) and Enrolment Services (ES). This role is part of a cross-functional unit that works collaboratively to build and maintain a student-centred digital and communications ecosystem for UBC Vancouver students across web, social media, email, and other platforms.

This position is responsible for the content operations and management of Student Communications Services websites, designs, writes, and edits compelling content, ensuring that they are consistent and up-to-date.

This position actively champions, fosters and ensures the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged in the work they perform.

This position seeks to build and implement a student-focused content operations strategy that reflects the goals of the UBC Student Strategic Plan and connects with student audiences.

This role supports the Content Strategy and Operations for Student Communications Services, ensuring that UBC students on the Vancouver campus are informed, engaged, and empowered while navigating students.ubc.ca web content

Organizational Status
The Web Content Specialist is a member of the Student Communications Services (SCS) team. This position reports to the Manager, Content Strategy. An integral member of the Student Communications Services team, they work in close collaboration with VP Students Office, Student Services, and Enrolment Services teams.

Work Performed

Web Content & Maintenance

• Responsible for maintaining consistency in content across all student touchpoints and digital products.
• Ensures principles of the Content Style Guide are applied correctly and consistently in web content work.
• Leads regular content audits with campus units to review and update web content in line with academic timelines and program priorities.
• Recommends improvements to internal standards and processes to increase quality, performance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Conducts operational management including documentation and training of staff related to the maintenance of the websites.

Web Content Design

• Writes, edits, and publishes usable, compelling, and well-organized content based on a thorough understanding of business objectives, user needs, and industry best practices.
• Leads content design on digital projects, evaluating the content needs of both business partners and users to write, edit, structure, and maintain web content.
• Communicates and develops strong relationships with subject matter experts to understand service and program needs and their relation to web projects and requests.
• Educates other teams about (and reviews adherence to) Student Content Style Guide, UBC web guidelines and accessibility standards.
• Evaluates and provides recommendations for web content to ensure it upholds minimum Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements, as well as the Content Style Guide for.
• Champions and fosters the inclusion of diverse student voices and perspectives, and ensures the representation of historically, persistently, or equity-seeking students.

Project Coordination

• Develops detailed project briefs outlining objectives, target audience, key messages, tasks, timeline, and desired outcomes.
• Establishes realistic project timelines and sets clear milestones, ensuring all involved parties are aligned and aware of key dates.
• Regularly plans, executes, and reports on content projects with team and stakeholders, ensuring all tasks are on track and adjusting timelines as necessary.
• Maintains open lines of communication with all team members and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring clarity, addressing concerns, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Prepares presentations, reports, documentation, and other deliverables as needed.
• May also write, review, and provide recommendations on student-centred content for emails, newsletters, and/or documentation guides, as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position represents the VPSO, ES, and the University as a whole, and is required to exercise professional judgment, collegiality, and initiative while undertaking all responsibilities and developing relationships and partnerships.

Incorrect decisions or judgment will directly affect UBC's reputation with students, faculty, staff, partners and the broader community. Inappropriate actions, errors in performance or indiscretions in judgment can negatively impact the VPSO’s working relationships and credibility with a range of critical internal and external partners, may result in legal action or negative public relations, incur inappropriate costs, and/or jeopardize the unit's reputation.

Supervision Received

Works under general guidance and supervision of the Manager, Content Strategy.

Works with members of Student Communications Services, Vice-President Students Office, and Enrolment Services to achieve the communication goals of the portfolio and its units.

Must be self-directed, able to handle project priorities, and work independently. Shows initiative and accountability in reaching set goals. Work is reviewed periodically to assess performance and ensure achievement of project goals

Supervision Given
May lead recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and mentorship of student staff.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four 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 experience leading, writing, editing, and managing content across multiple digital platforms
• Higher education degree or diploma in a relevant field of Digital Media, Information Design, Information Management, or Communications preferred
• Expressed commitment to supporting historically, persistently, or equity-seeking student populations and an inclusive workplace
• Experience engaging with multiple diverse stakeholders, subject matter experts, or clients
• Strong project management skills and a proven track record in coordinating multiple projects with many stakeholders or clients
• Expressed commitment to supporting equity-deserving student populations and an inclusive workplace
• Ability to work in a flexible, changing environment
• Solid understanding of the principles and practices of web content writing and editing
• Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of initiative, curiosity, and willingness to experiment and innovate.
• Attention to detail and judgment in all work.
• Flexibility and ability to seek creative ideas to solving problems and identifying new opportunities
• Ability to use tact and discretion when working with confidential or sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in close collaboration with a diverse range of partners and colleagues across campus
• Ability to give and receive feedback productively

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.