Junior Communications Specialist, Communications, External Relations

The Office of
External Relations is currently seeking multiple Full-time Limited Term Junior Communications Specialist for approximately 24 months.

The Office of External Relations is the university central hub for connection and collaboration. We advance UCalgary mission by uniting people, ideas, and initiatives across campus and beyond. By building and sustaining meaningful relationships with communities, partners, and stakeholders, we amplify the university vision, communicate its priorities with clarity, and drive progress toward shared goals. External Relations features a number of major functions including Communications;
Community Engagement, Government Relations and UCalgary International.

The University of Calgary is recruiting for the Communications Specialist Program (CSP) with the External Relations Communications team.

This program is designed to give recent grads the opportunity to develop professional communication skills in a working environment over a two-year fixed employment term. Junior Specialists are given the opportunity to develop skills in content creation, feature story writing, video, project management, client service, key messaging, eMarketing, web content development and more while assisting university client departments. There is no expectation for previous professional communications experience, but a post-secondary credential in the field of communications is required (some equivalencies may be considered).

The number of candidates recruited for the program varies by intake, with cohorts of one to five established depending on need and vacancies. Applicants may also be considered for future intakes.

Junior Specialists will be placed on one of three teams within Communications:
Institutional Communications, Content and Social Media or Community Communications. Working closely with other Senior/Communications Specialists, Junior Specialists will assist in the development and delivery of efficient and effective communications for a variety of internal clients.

Primary tasks include the development and implementation of communication plans for various initiatives, the coordination and planning of communication assets related to events and projects, and the development of communication materials including updates for website and content for social media channels. The Junior Specialist will interact with a diverse population within the university and may include interactions with external organizations and stakeholders.

The position requires the ability to use discretion, maintain professionalism, confidentiality and composure under pressure, demonstrate adaptability and flexibility and provide efficient, quality service often requiring multi-tasking simultaneous priorities. High volume and variety of work demands, much of which are driven by internally and externally imposed deadlines and requirements, can be expected.

• Accountabilities for this position include the successful coordination and facilitation of a wide range of client projects, and the prioritization and delivery of associated communication support within External Relations.
• Specific Tasks and Duties:
  • Work with Senior Communication Specialists to set goals and key messages for client projects,
  • Help write project briefs and communications plans on behalf of UCalgary clients,
  • Develop content such as briefing and speaking notes on behalf of UCalgary clients,
  • Build websites using the UCalgary CMS Drupal,
  • Help build and maintain eMarketing campaigns using the Dialog Insight platform,
  • Create print and digital collateral, in alignment with university brand standards,
  • Use initiative and good judgment, and work in a cooperative, timely and efficient manner
  • Work effectively within the framework of the University of Calgary's policies and procedures,
  • Provide general communications support as needed to the External Relations team.

The Junior Specialist will be an organized self-starter, have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and be able to engage with a range of clients and stakeholders to facilitate their communication and event needs. This position requires knowledge of university-wide practices and the complexities of the University and its organizational structure. Ideal candidates should have:

• Post-secondary education, preferably a university degree in communications or a related field, graduated within the past 3 years.
• Less than 2…