Communications Manager

Primary Purpose: The Department of Academic Family Medicine is a large complex provincially distributed medical education program in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and learning, research, and administration.  The Communications Manager will provide central administrative leadership and development to the department’s communications strategy.  

Nature of Work: The Communications Manager will report directly to the Director, Operations and Administration in the Department of Family Medicine. Embracing continuous improvement principles, the manager will be required to work collaboratively with leadership, faculty, learners and residents, and staff, and internal and external interested parties across all provincially distributed training sites to implement existing strategy.

The position involves considerable judgment and discretionary decision-making in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of internal and external communications initiatives that are designed to help the department achieve its goals and build positive relations and profile internally, locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. The work requires a proactive and strategic approach in a complex environment and the ability to communicate effectively to a diverse audience through a variety of methods and communication mediums. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships is essential to success.

Accountabilities, under general direction:

• Responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the communications division, including driving a multi-channel communications strategy with measurable goals to achieve growth.
• Implement, and evaluate comprehensive communications, marketing and public relations strategies that support the priorities of the Department, College, and University.
• Supervise and oversee the work of the communications assistant and the provincial head administrator.
• Manage residents responsible for posting on resident run social media accounts.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership (Director and Head) as required,
• Manage the public perception of the department, including but not limited to implementing existing strategies and maintaining public perceptions via social media, invested parties’ engagement, website management, and media relations.
• Maintain and oversee department swag program.

• Implement internal communications strategies that address the needs of faculty, staff, learners, and other internal stakeholders.
• Oversee the media relations activities and issues management portfolio for the Department.
• Maintain awareness of evolving or changing news and strategic communications best practices and provides suggestions for how to incorporate those practices into their work.
• Assist the Director and Provincial Head with relevant special projects as required.

Qualifications

Education: An undergraduate degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline. An equivalent level of education and experience may be considered.

Experience:  Five years of experience in communications in a post-secondary environment, health environment or similarly complex organization is required. A demonstrated progression in level of responsibility, including managing strategic communications plans is essential. Experience in website management and social media strategies is required.  Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan, family medicine, and the Saskatchewan healthcare system would be an asset. Experience with managing and leading staff. Experience working in a diverse and inclusive workplace is required.

Skills: Thorough understanding of communications principles and strategies, and proven experience in applying them and achieving results; ability to work independently and collaboratively; effective interpersonal communications and the capacity to build consensus and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of interested parties, exercising confidentiality, diplomacy, judgment and tact; demonstrated strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills, including the effective planning and management of multiple projects and events; ability to problem-solve, think and act strategically and creatively; excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including public speaking; self-motivation and reliability; high level of proficiency in computer applications (MS Office and SharePoint), time management and the ability to handle multiple deadlines; photography skills would be an asset.

Department: Family Medicine (Saskatoon)

Status: Term – 13 months with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent – Maternity Leave

Employment Group: ASPA

Shift: 8:30am – 5:00 pm

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $66,030.00 – 103,174.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 3/14/2024

Closing Date: 4/10/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask’s Alternative Workspace Guidelines