Posted On: February 12, 2024
Join a talented team that is pushing creative frontiers in amplifying the impact of Canada’s national ocean observatory, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC). We are hiring a Senior Communications Officer to contribute their energy, strategic communications know-how, and multimedia expertise to support the ONC’s growth and success within Canada and on the global stage.
This position is for a connector who believes in the power of partnership for maximizing the impact of ONC’s mission; an exceptional storyteller with established relationships with media, and the ability to land stories in an increasingly tight media market; and a skilled communicator, adept at delivering on strategic outreach opportunities across multiple platforms. A passion for ocean science, ocean discovery, and technology, as well as the drive to be part of ocean-based climate solutions, will make this a dream job for the right person.
This is an in-office position at the University of Victoria, and the posting will be open until we have found the right person to join the communications team.
Ocean Networks Canada, a University of Victoria (UVic) initiative, is a world-leading organization supporting ocean discovery and technological innovation in the deep ocean and coastal waters of Canada’s three coasts—the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic. ONC is a not-for-profit society that delivers ocean data from its cabled, mobile, and community-based observing networks. Its cabled observatories supply continuous power and Internet connectivity to scientific instruments and thousands of sensors distributed in, on, and above the seabed, along with mobile and strategically located land-based assets and instruments that address key scientific and policy issues (including but not limited to subsea earthquakes and tsunamis, ocean acidification, climate solutions, marine biodiversity, and supporting Indigenous ocean science leadership) within a wide range of environments.
The Communications Team leads the development and promotion of a consistent narrative and strategic long-term positioning to enhance the reputation and success of ONC. It delivers communication services and products to raise ONC’s national and international profile and to strengthen its brand recognition consistent with the goals and vision of ONC's 2030 Strategic Plan, ONC’s strategic communications plan, and Annual Program Plans. The team engages a host of creative communications products and services to promote ONC’s unique capabilities across its corporate operations, science, observatory operations, innovation, learning, and user engagement divisions, in order to connect and engage with key audiences and stakeholders.
The Senior Communications Officer (SCO) is the team lead for media relations, with a portfolio that extends to supporting stakeholder engagement, strategic communications planning, social media, public outreach and events, and internal communications. The SCO uses their expertise to communicate ONC’s high-tech advances and scientific discoveries through the mainstream media as well as through industry and science media outlets. This role fosters a greater public understanding of ocean observatories, their value, relevance, and importance to the global ocean, climate, and planet, and contributes to the building of strong relationships and engagement with key partners in advancing ONC’s important work.
The SCO is tasked with raising the profile of ONC nationally and internationally by identifying strategic opportunities and proactively engaging the media by writing creative, exciting content relevant to target audiences about ONC’s world-leading activities. The SCO is proficient in utilizing communication tools and tactics in support of these objectives including the use of social media to amplify outreach and contributes to the development and implementation of strategic communications and engagement planning.
Internally the SCO provides leadership to ONC staff engaged in communication activities. The SCO is sensitive to reputational risks, confidential and sensitive matters, and has strategic foresight to identify possible pitfalls as well as identify future collaborations and possibilities. The SCO must work well under pressure and deal with constraints outside of their control. The SCO reports to the Communications Manager (CM) and works collaboratively with a team of communications professionals including UVic Communications + Marketing. This position is occasionally required to coordinate, travel to, and promote ONC at conferences, events, and workshops.
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, and/or public relations, and a minimum of 6 years of communications and/or public relations experience. Experience in journalism is an asset.
Required experience includes:
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
In addition, this position requires:
Assets:
Recruitment range: $77,064- $84,968 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
Performance range: starting salary to max of $100,235 is available through annual performance increases.