Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead

Date Posted: 10/23/2024
Req ID: 40324
Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough
Department: U of T Co-op
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Position Number: 00050947

Description:

About us:

The University of Toronto has committed to an expansion of experiential learning opportunities for students, to enhance both the student learning experience and the University’s ability to support broader community and societal needs. Each of U of T’s three campuses are directing significant resources and energy into expanding experiential learning, particularly work integrated learning (WIL) programming such as co-op and internships. Our goal is to ensure our graduates remain amongst the most employable in the world.

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Professional Experience Year (PEY) Co-op, the Faculty of Art & Science’s Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP), the University of Toronto Scarborough’s Arts & Science Co-op and Management Co-op programs and the new UTM Coop Internship program facilitate co-op and internship opportunities for more than 3,500 students from over 100 academic programs annually. These programs allow students to apply their academic learning in a real-world context, build valuable professional networks and skills, and explore career options. The five programs have formed a unique collaborative partnership called U of T Co-op that amplifies the strengths of the five programs, provides a seamless recruiting experience for employers, and expand the depth and breadth of work term opportunities available to co-op students at U of T.

The U of T Co-op Hub team is a centralized group that supports all co-op programs included in the partnership. With a tri-campus mandate, the team travels occasionally to the three campuses, working collaboratively with partners across the University. The department is administratively housed at the Scarborough campus, however, supports all co-op programs equally as part of the tri-campus mandate.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Tri-Campus Co-op Partnership, the Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead is responsible for leading the design, development, implementation, management and evaluation of marketing and communications strategies targeted to new and future co-op and internship employers, with the goal of positioning U of T Co-op as the leading hiring solution for employers within the GTA, Canada and internationally. The incumbent will develop and implement innovative strategies to highlight the strengths of U of T Co-op students to the external community and build marketing content to tell our unique story.

As we work to build our partnership, the Strategic Marketing & Communications Lead must be adept at creating bridges across divisions and building strong, trusting relationships. We are searching for an innovative, energetic, and self-motivated individual who thrives in building new initiatives from the ground up, and who is not afraid to think outside-of-the-box and pilot original approaches.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing a comprehensive and integrated marketing strategy
• Developing and implementing marketing plans to promote programs, events and/or initiatives that support strategic objectives
• Planning and overseeing the implementation of an evaluation framework for assigned projects and all marketing campaigns, evaluating and ensuring return on investment
• Implementing a plan to build brand profiles within the marketplace and amongst target groups
• Overseeing the production of promotional and marketing materials that address specific target markets and deliver relevant and timely messages to the appropriate audiences.
• Producing promotional and outreach materials
• Maintaining information on digital platforms
• Drafting and editing content for print and/or online communications channels

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field, or acceptable combination of training and experience.
• A minimum of five years' recent and relevant experience developing strategic integrated marketing communications plans as well as content and marketing collateral.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with a successful record of accomplishment in managing a variety of creative, persuasive, integrated, and cost-effective marketing communication projects, from conceptual stages through delivery and follow-up/evaluation.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing communication campaigns and brand development initiatives.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of how marketing communications connects with 1) business development and lead generation activities to support relationship development with new co-op and internship employers, and 2) with account management activities to enhance retention strategies for valued existing clients.
• Advanced proficiency in generating creative content using communication tools and platforms such as social media, digital analytics tools, web content management systems, web and desktop publishing/graphic design as well as MS Office 365.
• Skilled in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, Spark Illustrator and Dreamweaver or Canva or other design platforms.
• Relevant experience with market and competitor research skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills demonstrating exceptional creative writing ability for promotion, content development and storytelling, using both traditional print and digital media.
• Knowledge of AODA standards.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to set priorities and multi-task, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong research and presentation skills. Ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Highly creative, innovative, excellent judgement, strong conceptual skills, self-motivated, strategic thinker, and results oriented.
• Must be a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills who can also work independently to meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience with Premiere and Audition (or other audio and video editing tools).
• Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working in the post-secondary sector and/or with familiarity of work-integrated learning programs and the competitor environments.
• Experience with marketing automation platforms, Salesforce, HubSpot, Customer Relationship Management tools, and project management software.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Proactive
• Responsible
• Team player

NOTE:

• This is a TERM position ending in February 2026.
• A full job description is available upon request from the UTSC HR Office.
• This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 11/03/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 -- $95,627. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $122,290. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.