Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level B

Job Title

Communications Manager

Department

Administrative Leadership | Department of Mathematics | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

July 23, 2025

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

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Communications Manager works to determine the communications needs of the Department of Mathematics (70%) and the Department of Statistics (30%), and advises on the appropriate communication tools to use in order to meet those needs.

The position will play a pivotal role in the planning of communications projects and participates in the development of communications strategies, including the ability to translate research output of the respective departments to the general public.

The incumbent also managers electronic and print communications, including the Mathematics and the Statistics departmental websites, faculty research websites, videos, digital and print signage and podcasts. The incumbent typically works a standard day; however, flexibility is required as some responsibilities require an irregular schedule, including evening or weekends.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Administrators of the respective departments while work is conducted for those departments. Work may also be assigned by the department heads of the departments. The Communication Manager will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students.
Work Performed

Department of Statistics (30%)

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy for the Department, ensuring it aligns with UBC's and the Faculty of Science's strategic priorities and enhances our reputation as a leader in Statistics and Data Science
• Provide creative direction and strategic oversight for all departmental communications, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand voice across all platforms
• Craft compelling, in-depth, and engaging promotional content for a diverse range of print and digital platforms, including our website, social media channels, newsletters, and annual reports
• Transform complex research stories and academic achievements into accessible and inspiring stories that resonate with diverse audiences, celebrating the successes of our faculty, students, and alumni
• Drive creative content development, which includes storyboarding, scriptwriting, conducting impactful interviews, overseeing filming, and managing post-production and editing for multimedia assets (e.g., videos, podcasts).
• Design, manage, and oversee production of marketing materials for the Department’s academic programs (e.g., Undergraduate and Graduate programs in Data Science, Statistics) and specialized initiatives like the Vancouver Summer Program
• Collaborate with UBC units (UBC Communications, DAE, Faculty of Science Dean’s Office) to develop stories celebrating faculty and student achievements, and to engage external stakeholders (e.g., press/government)
• Monitor and analyze the efficiency of communication strategies, making data-driven adjustments as needed
• Mentor and train junior communications staff

Department of Mathematics (70%)

• The position will provide innovative expertise to create a communication strategy that encompasses UBC’s and the Faculty of Science’s strategic priorities. The incumbent will lead and advise on the best platform to promote and enhance the reputation of the department.
• Develop, advise and implement on the most appropriate communication strategy for the Mathematics department to reach a varied audience (internal and external stakeholders)
• Advises on the most appropriate social media channels and platform, researching new and innovative tools to use to meet the department’s communication strategy
• Train users on appropriate use of social media platforms that align with UBC’s standards
• Create and oversee the department’s marketing and publication strategy to disseminate the faculty’s research activities to the general public
• The incumbent will be expected to use a variety of applications to translate specialized research output to various audiences, creating stories, articles, videos; working with UBC Media Relations and UBC Development to engage donors and inform them of the exciting work in the department
• Creating featured profile of our department members for publication or for social media platforms
• Hires and mentors communications staff, students or contractors to enhance the communications strategy of the department

For both departments

• The incumbent is the sole project manager, communication expert and strategic planner to ensure that both departments can improve their front facing brand to internal and external stake holders. This includes but not limited to, tracking communication analytics, provide input on communication budget (hiring contractors, , mentoring and training as needed, securing innovative media technology, and overseeing innovative communication projects from conception to completion)
• The incumbent will take the initiative in identifying and responding to emerging opportunities to profile both departments, their research and academic programs and using the appropriate tools
• The incumbent will be involved with both department’s engagement activities, contributing and organizing events, taking pictures, promoting on social media, and creating posters
• Performs other related duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Inappropriate or incorrect communications reflect poorly on the departments. Incorrect decisions and judgment will negatively affect the Mathematics and Statistics programs, the success and operations of the departments and the reputation of the University. The image and reputation of the Department of Mathematics and well as the Department of Statistics is at stake. Errors may reflect negatively on the reputation of the departments, and may negatively affect the funding received by the departments.
Supervision Received
Works independently with general direction from the Administrators and Department Heads. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement and effectiveness of the overall communications strategy.
Supervision Given

May supervise more junior communications staff as well as students and contractors

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to conceptualize and provide strategic communications solutions linked to the Departments of Mathematics’ and Statistics’ mission and goals. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively with the media and public relations agencies. Ability to effectively use standard office software at an intermediate level (e.g. Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, Google Docs). Knowledge of creative software packages, (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop) for desk-top print publishing and web-publishing. Knowledge of video-conferencing (e.g. Zoom) and social collaboration platforms (e.g. Slack/Teams), and social media streams (e.g. X/Medium). Creative graphic design abilities and experience developing materials for a variety of audiences, familiarity with the design and print production process. Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment.