The Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI) portfolio provides strategic leadership and oversight for research at UVic, supporting institutional research priorities, partnerships, services and research entities across the university. Within this portfolio, the Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) Unit leads research planning and coordination to strengthen existing research areas, develop new opportunities for faculty, staff and students, and advance the university’s research and strategic goals.
Mandate
Reporting to the Manager, Research Profile, the Research Profile Officer (RPO) is responsible for planning and developing strategic communications initiatives to proactively convey UVic’s research strengths and impact areas. The position also develops and implements targeted internal and external engagement strategies to deliver on the aspirations outlined in the Research and Creative Works Strategy.
This position collaborates with VPRI, the central marketing and communications team and faculty communication officers to ensure research priorities are reflected in institutional marketing and communications strategies, campaigns and channels through coordinated planning and alignment.
Objectives
- Advance UVic’s research profile and reputation by developing and implementing strategic communications and storytelling initiatives that showcase the institutions research priorities, enhance awareness, attract funding opportunities and contribute to UVic’s reputation and impact.
- Lead cross-team projects to ensure consistent messaging, brand awareness and effective promotion of research strengths across all communication and marketing channels.
- Provide strategic communications guidance on high-profile and sensitive initiatives, exercising sound judgment, diplomacy and tact while managing competing priorities, multiple projects and tight deadlines.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with researchers, academic and administrative leaders, communications professionals, funding agencies and other key partners.
This role performs complex, deadline-driven work with highly confidential or sensitive information of high reputational impact. Workloads may increase during peak periods, such as key milestones, campaign launches or earned media periods.
The Position Requires Completion Of a Bachelor’s Degree In a Related Discipline, Such As Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Or Public Administration And a Minimum Of 5 Years Of Directly Related Experience, Such As
- Development and implementation of partner communication and/or engagement initiatives in a collaborative and digital first environment, related to research;
- Demonstrated experience in research writing and editing;
- A proven ability to develop credibility and build effective, sustainable and strategic relationships with faculty, staff and other relevant partners; and
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Strategic communication planning with critical analysis and key message development
- Standard office software (MS 360: Outlook, Power Point, Word, Excel, Teams, OneDrive);
- Technology-based collaboration tools and project management software (e.g. Miro, Slido, Trello, Asana, Zoom).
- Strong working knowledge of digital content research trends, techniques and methodologies to respond to and shape evolving needs in paid, owned and earned content including digital marketing platforms
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to edit communications and promotional material and to adapt writing style to a variety of purposes and audiences, including taking complex, scientific information and translating into clear, succinct, compelling narratives;
- Excellent judgment and a thorough understanding of complex issues related to the university research environment, and how those issues may affect communications activities;
- Ability, maturity and confidence to work constructively with senior executives from within and outside the institution, and colleagues from other units and stakeholder organizations;
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence in carrying out the responsibilities of the position, and as an integral part of a small team; and
- Ability to work under pressure on several projects, requests and challenges at the same time with changing deadlines.
- Experience writing briefs for integrated marketing campaigns, department and senior executives
Assets Or Preferences
- Experience in a university or government setting or equivalent large, complex publicly funded institution.
