Communications Specialist

About Western

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

About Us

CIHR established the Institute of Aging (IA) "to support research, to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging." Unlike many other CIHR Institutes, which are focused on particular diseases, the Institute of Aging's mandate is the aging person in an aging society, and the effects of different diseases and conditions on aging. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and health of older Canadians by understanding and addressing or preventing the consequences of a wide range of factors associated with aging.

Responsibilities

The CIHR-IA is seeking a part-time Communications Specialist (24 hours/week) with exceptional writing skills. The Communications Specialist is expected to be a strategic thinker with meticulous attention to detail, who works well under pressure, and meets deadlines.

The incumbent should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced environment. To ensure success, the Communications Specialist should be innovative, organized, and self-motivated with a keen interest in driving strategic messages to key internal and external stakeholders.

Communications Specialist Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and evaluate a communication strategy in accordance with CIHR-IA’s Strategic Plan and to promote IA’s overall mandate, that includes timely and proactive (when possible) social media and newsletter content creation.
• Create, write and edit content for the CIHR-IA website, newsletter, social media posts, reports and presentations as well as create infographics and social media postcards. 
• Manage the monthly CIHR-IA newsletter, that includes gathering, writing and editing the content with corresponding graphics and sending to subscribers using the CIHR email marketing platforms and templates.
• Lead the creation of meaningful and impactful visual digital content, graphics and postcards for web and social media platforms (i.e., Twitter) using digital tools and applications including Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, to advance CIHR-IA priorities and to further support CIHR-IA’s specific communication needs.
• Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of the Institutes initiatives and strategies and keep up-to-date with relevant developments.
• Adhere to the CIHR corporate style guide, ensuring that we produce a high-quality and error-free copy.
• Work closely with the CIHR Communication Strategist and CIHR-IA’s Knowledge Mobilization Specialist and other key CIHR and CIHR-IA team members to brainstorm on strategies and promotional campaigns, in line with the IA’s values and initiatives
• Support and evaluate results of communication campaigns with the team.
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain archives for presentations and digital media including photos and videos
• Work with CIHR communications and CIHR-IA team members to conceptualize and implement communications strategies and campaigns.
• Act as the primary point of contact regarding communications for all CIHR-IA activities and actions.

Qualifications 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field (essential)

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in communications strategy development (essential)
• French, oral and written, is an asset.
• Located in London Ontario is an asset.

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in science writing and synthesis an asset.
• French, oral and written, is an asset.
• Located in London Ontario is an asset.
• Ability to create social media content including visuals.
• Works well under pressure and meets tight deadlines.
• Highly computer literate with capability in email, MS Office, and related business and communication tools.
• Strategic and creative mindset.
• Content writing experience for all media platforms.
• Proven social media and networking expertise.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• A portfolio of work available for review.
• Knowledge of graphic design tools such as Canva or the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Social Media experience in a professional setting (eg. Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) & analyzing content performance.

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth.  Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre.  Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application.  In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications.  Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.


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