Communications Manager

Position Purpose and Summary

The Communications Manager advances the mission and vision of Trinity Western University by developing and activating comprehensive communication strategies that seek to foster a culture of healthy communication characterized by transparency, alignment, and engagement.

As the communications lead, this role positively impacts organizational culture by overseeing the delivery of timely, relevant, and consistent messages across channels, thereby enhancing organizational effectiveness and ensuring effective communications across the institution.

Key Areas of Accountability

Communications Strategy & Planning

• Work with the Director, Strategic Communications and stakeholders across the institution to develop and activate a structured and comprehensive communications strategy and calendar that fosters transparency, alignment, and engagement primarily among faculty, staff, and students, extending to external audiences as necessary
• Plan and execute the delivery of timely, relevant, and consistent content and messages across available channels, including the employee intranet (SharePoint), student information (Jenzabar) and learning management systems (Moodle), internal email platforms, digital signage, etc.
• Support project communications for institutional initiatives that are advancing the strategic plan, including strategic imperatives and priorities identified by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
• Proactively engage departments and faculties across the University to plan communications rhythms that ensure appropriate frequency and volume of communications to maximize engagement
• Work with leadership across departments and areas to promote, encourage, and activate omnichannel communication strategies in addition to traditional email communications
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and engagement metrics to monitor, measure, and assess the impact and effectiveness of communication efforts, calibrating strategies as needed
• Leverage feedback and data to inform communication strategies and identify communication gaps and opportunities for potential improvements in both strategy and activation

Editorial Strategy & Content Development

• Develop and activate the editorial strategy and calendar for all institutional communications content
• Collaborate with the Director, Strategic Communications and fellow team members to create compelling narratives with supporting content that communicate the University’s key messages
• Work with departments and areas across the institution to proactively craft, curate, and copyedit content and communications that ensure fidelity to the institutional voice and editorial guidelines
• Maintain an editorial calendar that aligns content and communications with the rhythms of the academic year, significant events, milestones, and cultural moments in the life of the University
• Collaborate with leadership to identify and address themes emerging from the institutional climate survey that can be addressed through targeted and intentional communications

Institutional & Executive Support

• Assist the Director, Strategic Communications and VP, Marketing & Communications in preparing and distributing timely and effective communications and content from executive leadership (ELT).
• Collaborate with fellow team members to develop communications pieces on behalf of the University, including, but not limited to, the TWU Magazine, President’s Report, and other University publications
• Provide support for executive communications by developing and drafting talking points, video scripts, speechwriting, and key leadership messages for various engagements as needed
• Offer strategic counsel, guidance, and support for areas and departments across the institution related to deploying effective communications strategies to key audiences to reach objectives
• Support institutional readiness by developing and maintaining protocols and resources to help lead the execution of internal communication during times of change, crisis, or emergency

Team Leadership & Management

• Provide effective leadership and management for direct reports by defining priorities, clearly setting expectations, monitoring progress, and continually assessing overall performance
• Develop and encourage a healthy and productive working environment that fosters positive relationships with direct reports, fellow team members, and colleagues across the organization
• Support the internal communications team in developing proactive solutions to drive success
• Lead, coach, and develop all direct reports to optimize their personal and professional progress through 1-to-1 meetings, performance reviews, and informal coaching opportunities

Key Interactions

Reports: Specialist, Digital Communications

Reportsto: Director, Strategic Communications

Job Standards and Requirements

Education: Master’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, English or a related field (or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience)

Knowledge and Skills:

• A proficient understanding of omnichannel communications strategy and management
• Proficiency in managing intranet (i.e., SharePoint) and email platforms (i.e., Mailchimp)
• Working experience in Microsoft, Salesforce, and Marketing Cloud environments is an asset
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Problem-solver with demonstrated critical thinking ability to meet goals creatively
• Organized, disciplined, and able to work with minimal direct supervision
• Ability to work well under pressure, exuding a mature demeanour in high-pressure situations
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team, as well as an independent contributor
• Demonstrates a bias for action while knowing when to act independently or consult others
• Ability to create annual plans and budgets, including contingency plans to meet goals
• 5 - 7 years of management experience with an ability to empower others to execute with excellence
• 5 years of leadership experience in a comparable role and function

Personal

Driven and inspired by the idea of positively impacting the various marketplaces of life through the development of godly Christian leaders by serving the Trinity Western University community.

A dedicated and mature evangelical Christian with an earnest desire to serve in family, church, work, and community. Affirm and support TWU’s mission, values, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant. Strength of character and reputation, integrity, focused. A winsome personality with a positive and friendly attitude.

Servant-Leader Way of Life

Act in a manner that exemplifies Jesus Christ in all on and off-campus contacts thereby living out the servant leadership mission of the university and contributing effectively towards achieving the institutional and Kingdom goals of the organization.

Duties and responsibilities that do not constitute a major change may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervisor either orally or in writing.

Benefits Of Working at TWU:

• A comprehensive benefits package which includes extended health, dental, and insurance and an RRSP matching program.
• Annual statutory holidays (14) with generous vacation accruement.
• Tuition Benefit for TWU undergraduate and graduate level courses to enhance knowledge and professional competency.
• Torch tuition scholarship for dependents of eligible employees attending TWU.
• Free access to TWU’s fitness/gym facilities and the Norma Marion Alloway Library.
• Subsidized meals at the main cafeteria.
• Discounts and perks for the on-site Trinity Western Outfitters Campus Store and coffee shops, as well as shops and restaurants in Fort Langley.
• Wellness benefits (i.e., counselling, sick days, personal days, and health/wellness spending account).
• Free recreational equipment rentals (e.g., paddle boards, snowshoes, kayaks, etc.).
• Free employee parking on campus.
• Special community events throughout the year.
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
• A positive Christian fellowship environment.

Trinity Western University encourages applications from all eligible candidates who are able to commit to the University’s mission, values, and Christian identity as articulated in its Statement of Faith and Community Covenant. We are committed to an ethic of inclusion and to the equal treatment of all persons without discrimination in accordance with human rights law.

We particularly invite applications from indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations during the application process should contact People & Culture.

Trinity Western University is located on the traditional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people.