Director, Marketing and Communications

Job Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, and working collaboratively with the senior administration team, as well as faculty, staff and students, the Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the development, coordination, facilitation and execution of the Faculty's strategic marketing and communications programs and activities. The incumbent will play an active role with a priority focus on areas that include promoting program offerings to current and prospective students, enhancing the faculty's web presence and external research profile, leading internal communications, and supporting the development and implementation of funding initiatives and revenue generating programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Lead the development and implementation of strategic communications to enhance the Faculty's image and reputation both nationally and internationally in areas identified as strategically important to the Faculty.
2. Proactively identify new strategic marketing opportunities, and develop and implement marketing initiatives to build and strengthen the Faculty's brand.
3. Provide leadership on the management of marketing and communications programs that support the strategic needs of the Faculty.
4. Provide expert advice to the Dean, faculty and staff on communications and marketing issues.
5. Work closely with Queen's Media to increase the media profile of faculty members, bringing newsworthy stories and initiatives to the attention of appropriate media contacts.
6. Work closely with the Queen's Law and central Alumni & Advancement teams to ensure annual giving, class giving and major giving projects are well supported with quality proposals, other communication materials, and integration with the overall Queen's Law marketing and communications strategy and plan.
7. Oversee the development and management of all communication material, including print, electronic and web-based information.
8. Plan and implement strategies to introduce new technologies and media, including social media, to assist with internal operations and external outreach.
9. Liaise with Queen's central and Faculty groups involved with marketing, communications and student recruitment to ensure the Faculty's direction and message is aligned with the University's vision, mission and goals.
10. Ensure strategic communications emanating from the Faculty are timely and of high quality and are compatible with the Visual Standards Program of the University. Write or review and critique correspondence, reports, presentations, and other communications as required.
11. Source and manage outside communication and marketing consultants and service providers as required and provide direction and guidance to individuals within the Faculty who have a direct impact on communications and marketing activities e.g. web designers, newsletter editors and graphic designers.
12. Lead strategic communications and marketing programs for advancement activities in the Faculty.
13. Represent the Faculty as a subject matter expert on University committees and working groups where a marketing and communications presence is desirable.
14. Oversee and prepare a communications and marketing budget annually for approval.
15. Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
16. Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
17. Assess staff training and development needs, and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
18. Investigate, address and resolve employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.
19. Other duties as required in support of the Faculty of Law.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. University degree in Business, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or related field.
2. Minimum 10 years' progressively responsible experience, including 5 to 7 years at a senior level in a strategic communications capacity.
3. Several years of demonstrated project management experience.
4. Extensive knowledge of strategic planning processes and the ability to develop and write strategic communications plans.
5. Consideration may be given to equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

1. Excellent ability to meet all communications and marketing needs in a prioritized and strategic fashion, including the ability to adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility and initiative.
2. Recognize and understand complex issues and their implications on image and reputation.
3. Strong analytical research skills and the ability to strategically use information gleaned through market research to improve and enhance communications to target audiences in support of the Faculty brand.
4. Political acumen, tact and sensitivity to deal with potentially explosive topics or controversial issues.
5. Excellent presentation and communications skills including superior writing and editing abilities.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
7. Excellent project management skills with the ability to plan and coordinate multiple project/work initiatives effectively. Ability to deliver consistently high-quality solutions according to required timelines.
8. Strong problem solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and use a non-prescriptive approach in marketing and communications initiative. Excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate and create a positive work environment.
9. Demonstrated ability to elicit trust, to build collegial relationships and to foster communication and partnerships between and among diverse individuals and teams.
10. Demonstrated intercultural fluency and competency appropriate to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse campus community.

DECISION MAKING:

1. Determine the most effective communications and marketing programs to deliver the strategic planning outcomes of the Faculty.
2. Make decisions on how the communications and marketing programs will unfold and be managed.
3. Determine how to protect and enhance the Faculty's reputation and image in all Marketing and communication initiatives.
4. Weigh marketing and communication priorities to ensure that appropriate resources are deployed to support all the faculty's marketing and communications needs, balancing JD and graduate student recruitment, research promotion, online program marketing and advancement fundraising and stewardship.
5. Ensure that all initiatives within the Faculty are consistent with the Faculty's brand character, message and strategy and overall communications plan. Where initiatives are not in the best interests of the Faculty determine how their structure, message, format or delivery should be modified or amended.
6. Determine the nature and content of written and verbal internal and external communications, including scripted and unscripted interviews with the press.
7. Provide expert guidance to staff in the Faculty who support marketing and communications activities e.g. recruiting events, website management, calendar, newsletter and recruitment brochures and pamphlets.
8. Determine procedures and practices within the Faculty for protecting trademarks, photo rights and sharing proprietary communications information.
9. Determine how to harmonize Faculty marketing and communications activities and initiatives with those of the University.
10. Determine the financial costs of running a successful strategic communications and marketing program and present the costs in the form of an annual budget request.
11. Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires.
12. Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
13. Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
14. Assess investigation outcome of grievances and make effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
15. Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.