Manager, Public Relations

University Advancement

McMaster University has been recognized as one of the world’s top 100 Universities. In our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence. We value integrity, quality, and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for learning. We also serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and society.

The University Advancement division of McMaster University encompasses the areas of Public & Government Relations, Development, Alumni Advancement, Stewardship & Donor Relations and Advancement Services; areas that coordinate their activities and work as a team to educate, involve and secure support from alumni and other stakeholders. It is our values that help us to achieve our vision and mission; they are Integrity, Quality, Respect, Service, Strategy and Teamwork.

McMaster’s Advancement team is an award winning group who values integration and respect for individual expertise combined with a collective will to achieve ambitious goals. Our high performing team is an internationally recognized leader that features senior staff with extensive experience in all aspects of Advancement as well as enthusiastic newcomers eager to deploy complementary and relevant skills and make a significant contribution towards the Advancement profession.

Job Profile

Reporting to the Director, Public and Community Relations, the Manager, Public Relations (Digital Strategy) will work collaboratively with partners across the University to draft and implement an integrated digital strategy for McMaster.

The position will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, advice and support to key stakeholders across the University who are developing, creating and updating their own area sites, social media accounts and other digital assets. This position is also responsible for the strategic leadership of the central McMaster website.

The Manager, Digital Strategy is an experienced digital communicator and strategist with proven expertise in successfully developing results-generating strategies in a complex, decentralized environment. Experience creating web content, and a broad depth of knowledge of digital technologies are important assets. Although this is not a design position, it’s important to possess a strong understanding of good digital and web interface design and best practices.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the Office of Public Relations and Integrated Marketing group, designers, developers, content owners and other internal stakeholders to help draft and lead the overall digital strategy for the University

• Work with internal stakeholders who are creating and updating websites by participating in design/layout decisions, providing advice on content, editorial direction and new content development

• Manage the ongoing quality control of University website and initiatives for content updates

• Responsible for establishing metrics and analytics for reporting on the results of all of our digital properties and providing recommendations for improvements

• Identify emerging digital communications opportunities, trends and tools to enhance the overall digital experience

• Ensure creation of a ghost site for emergencies

• Guide the development of a new University Calendar

• Implement the on-line strategy for the McMaster Times

• Supervising staff and workplace students

Due to the nature of this position, some travel, evening and week-end work will be required.

Experience

You are a strong digital strategist with 10+ years relevant experience working with creative and technical teams developing and delivering on digital strategy. You have demonstrated success as a content developer for digital platforms.You possess a strong understanding of modern web delivery techniques, with a keen interest in staying abreast of emerging trends that drive audience engagement. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required with proven ability to maintain confidentiality, provide sound judgment and independent decision making. Strong project management and time management skills are also required.

Education

A University degree and evidence of on-going professional development. (A McMaster degree is considered an asset)