Communications and Program Officer (Term)

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

Your opportunity:

Located in the world’s most diverse city, with more than half of all Torontonians born outside of Canada, the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies approaches the city of Toronto as a window onto the world. Outward facing, with a global perspective, the Centre is an incubator for transnational and diasporic research across the humanities and social sciences. It serves as a connective tissue between otherwise divergent departments and schools while also supporting original research and engaged teaching.

Under the general direction of the Associate Director, this position will be responsible for providing communications and outreach support to promote the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies and its students. This position will provide administrative and program support, responding to student and front-line enquiries.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Producing and coordinating promotional and outreach materials
• Advising on communication strategies to support goals and priorities
• Advising on social media trends and platforms to enhance digital communication strategies, and disseminating information via social media
• Writing and editing digital communications, such as content for brochures, newsletters and websites
• Determining logistical details and activities for events and/or programming
• Maintaining course information on student information systems; creating and updating student records
• Acting as the first point of contact in the reception area; responding to general enquiries, and providing detailed information to students on program and/or course requirements
• Checking that room/reception set-up meets approved specifications; making updates and improvements as needed

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication or marketing, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum four years relevant experience in preparing communication content and promotional materials, maintaining communication channels and organizing events, preferably in a academic environment
• Experience with writing and editing content, designing layout and format for print and electronic media
• Experience providing front-line administrative support; responding to and redirecting enquiries
• Experience with design and production of newsletters, promotional materials, and website content and maintenance
• Experience with administering social media platforms and writing for a web audience
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating events
• Experience with providing detailed explanations on programs of study and other related information
• Experience working with databases, updating records, and providing reports
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, coordinate administrative activies
• Demonstrative initiative, ability to work proactively and resolve issues as they arise
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to contribute as a team player
• Advanced skills in Microsoft office including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and email applications; HTML skills and/or other web editing tools for updating websites
• Experience working in the ROSI system or other related student databases
• Advanced skills using social medial tools
• Proficiency with using design software (e.g. InDesign, Dreamweaver, WordPress, Photoshop and Publisher)

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Courteous
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Proactive
• Team player