Marketing & Communications Officer

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.

We are one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities and a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara. Brock has been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity compiled by Forbes and Statista. We are an inclusive, welcoming community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities.

Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date: November 7, 2024

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

About the Role:
Working collaboratively with both the University Marketing and Communications team and staff and researchers at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, the Marketing & Communications Officer is responsible for planning and successfully executing media relations, communications, and marketing activities and events for the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), to support and enhance CCOVI’s reputation and overall media presence. The Marketing & Communications Officer is also responsible for establishing and building networks with various media outlets and stakeholders in the grape and wine industry, and for coordinating, organizing and publicizing events, tours and lecture series.

The Marketing & Communications Officer will:

• Write strong, impactful and clear media releases that can be used as content for Brock web pages, the online Brock News and the quarterly CCOVI News while also attracting news media to cover CCOVI stories and raise Brock’s reputation;
• Proactively pitch story ideas to relevant news media outlets, including grape and wine industry journals and publications;
• Maintain content on CCOVI’s social media platforms, including content from the CCOVI website, Brock News and quarterly CCOVI News, as well as promotion of CCOVI’s professional and continuing education programming;
• Write, design and produce CCOVI publications and marketing collateral, including quarterly newsletter, brochures, flyers and other materials;
• Steward a network of news media and grape and wine industry contacts, and establish a reputation for pitching stories with journalistic integrity and appeal;
• Attend relevant industry events, tradeshows and workshops to communicate with existing and potential partners and gather feedback to gauge the effectiveness of CCOVI’s marketing and communications efforts;
• Support tours and promote CCOVI to interest groups in the grape and wine industry, as well as governmental agencies and/or politicians;
• Develop strong networks with CCOVI researchers to stay familiar with ongoing research activity in order to identify and relate important stories that showcase the capacities and achievements of CCOVI, the University and its researchers;
• Help stage and publicize high-quality on- and off-campus presentations and CCOVI outreach events.

Key Skills and Experience:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., Communications, Marketing Research, Journalism or Public Relations);
• A minimum of two (2) years of news media or media relations work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment;
• A valid G class driver’s license and an acceptable driver’s abstract;
• Strong writing and editing skills with demonstrated proficiency in copywriting;
• Ability to develop compelling but concise narrative stories from scientific material or official announcements;
• Sound knowledge of publishing and digital content processes;
• Working competence in editorial-style photography and videography, and in distributing that imagery on websites, through social media and with media releases;
• Advanced understanding of content formats and approaches that relate to the news media’s challenges, preferences and requirements;
• Knowledge of news, issues and trends in the grape and wine industry;
• Strong project management, brand management and marketing research skills;
• Strong understanding of traditional, online and social media, with the ability to stay current on social media trends;
• Solid computer application skills including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe Acrobat, web applications and social media platforms);
• Excellent production and design skills using Microsoft Office Publisher or Adobe Creative Suite 2 or higher, including Photoshop;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in narrative and/or media styles;
• Solid relationship management skills with the ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy and tact when dealing with internal and external partners;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to multi-task in order to meet deadlines;
• Extremely adaptable, flexible, nimble and responsive to meet changing demands and conflicting priorities.

Salary and Total Rewards:

• Job Grade K, Salary Scale ($57,400-$98,400);
• Target Hiring Range: $57,400-$63,000;
• This position includes full comprehensive benefits including tuition waiver.

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region.

We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact talent@brocku.ca if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.