Requisition #: 27770
Posting Close Date: 2015-08-18

Working in partnership with many stakeholders, industry and levels of government, the Ministry’s International Strategy and Competitiveness Division delivers programs and policies that help BC companies increase exports, develop international partnerships, attract investment and eliminate protectionist measures. The Division focuses on key target markets, particularly in Asia, and the eight priority sectors identified in the Jobs Plan as having the most potential to bring new dollars into our economy.

Mission: To open and expand markets for BC goods and services globally, and attract investment to grow BC’s priority sectors.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Marketing Specialist leads the planning, research, development and implementation of marketing activities that support investment attraction and trade development in priority sectors and target markets

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Leads the Division’s mandate to provide timely, reliable access to client‐oriented information on programs and services for investment attraction and export development. This includes working with Ministry Executives , Division Directors, and cross‐ministry teams, providing strategic advice and managing all aspects of new product launches across the Division.
• Initiates, leads project manages, and implements stakeholder engagement strategies, and develops content plans in support of the projects, goals and objectives.
• Plans and conducts market research/ surveys and analyzes existing and potential investors and competitor investment opportunities.  Researches and identifies new approaches for web and online marketing to target audiences and implements methods that maximize the impact of marketing tactics.
• Assesses and compares the likely impact of alternative content proposals and associated risks, mitigation strategies, stakeholder response, liability and other implications.  Outlines advantages/strengths and disadvantages/weaknesses of each to ensure that Project Director and Executive make informed decisions
• Designs, develops and implements online content and strategies that promotes British Columbia’s investment and export advantages.
• Manages marketing projects by leading project teams, developing proposals, business cases and cost‐ benefit analyses, defining and managing project deliverables, assessing progress and taking/recommending corrective action.
• Ensures communication materials are accurate, appropriate in language and tone for the audience, consistent with Ministry policy, in compliance with Government communications standards, and supporting/furthering investment and trade goals.
• Writes and edits a variety of communication materials such as web content, articles, editorials, brochures, publications, speaking notes, presentations and other written communication products.
• Monitors content updates and implements changes on the web and in published materials.
• Determines methodologies, collects and analyzes sector, market and industry data from a variety of sources, identifies opportunities and utilizes findings to develop recommendations for marketing and outreach approaches.
• Collaborates with ministry program staff and external private and public sector organizations and agencies to identify issues and obtain feedback on proposed marketing plans and initiatives.
• Conducts stakeholder consultations to identify issues and to obtain feedback on proposed policies.
• Identifies social marketing opportunities and gaps and provides advice to senior staff on how to develop resources and products to advance the Ministry’s trade and investment attraction goals.
• Develops and/or coordinates public relations and marketing products for international missions in collaboration with private/public sector partners.
• Develops and/or coordinates marketing materials for both domestic and international audiences promoting the BC’s competitive advantages.
• Identifies and coordinates informational interviews, validator statements/opportunities and monitors media coverage on BC investment successes.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of international marketing strategies to promote British Columbia as a preferred gateway for Asia Pacific trade and investment.
• Participates in the review of proposals, selects successful bidders, negotiates the terms and conditions of contracts, and manages contracts and vendors.
• Works with other ministries and organizations at the provincial, federal, local or community level to coordinate marketing and outreach efforts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• University degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field.

A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Experience in in developing content for marketing campaigns.
• Experience in developing marketing strategies, actions and tactics.
• Experience in project management, team management, strategic planning, and public engagement

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of international trade and investment practices.
• Knowledge of trade show practices.
• Knowledge of Content Management Systems
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills combined with strong interpersonal, relationship building and customer service skills.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to research, write and edit documents to inform on a variety of issues.
• Ability to research and maintain large sets of data and distill relevant key messages from the data.
• Ability to respond to a variety of stakeholders using tact and discretion.
• Ability to work in a highly political environment and handle sensitive issues in a professional manner.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in a team setting or independently as required.
• Ability to multi‐task and meet changing priorities.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required by the ministry (Note:  It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position).

COMPETENCIES

• Initiative involves identifying a problem, obstacle or opportunity/taking appropriate action to address current or future problems or opportunities. As such, initiative can be seen in the context of proactively doing things/not simply thinking about future actions. Formal strategic planning is not included in this competency.
• Results Orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one's own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation.
• Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, colleagues, partners (e.g. educational institutes, non‐government organizations, etc.), co‐ workers, peers, branches, ministries/agencies and other government organizations. It means focusing one's efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.
• Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to work co‐operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals.
• Decisive Insight combines the ability to draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and training and effectively problem‐solve increasingly difficult and complex situations. It involves breaking down problems, tracing implications and recognizing patterns and connections that are not obviously related. It translates into identifying underlying issues and making the best decisions at the most appropriate time. At higher levels, the parameters upon which to base the decision become increasingly complex and ambiguous and call upon novel ways to think through issues.
• Strategic Orientation is the ability to link long‐range visions and concepts to daily work, ranging from a simple understanding to a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and on choices.
• Change Management is the ability to support a change initiative that has been mandated within the organization. It involves helping the organization’s members understand what the change means to them, and providing the ongoing guidance and support that will maintain enthusiasm and commitment to the change process. People with this competency willingly embrace and champion change. They take advantage of every opportunity to explain their vision of the future to others and gain their buy‐ in.
• Conflict Management is the ability to develop working relationships that facilitate the prevention and/or resolution of conflicts within the organization.
• Engaging External Partners identifies and involves external stakeholders in order to foster long term partnerships.
• Innovation indicates an effort to improve performance by doing or promoting new things, such as introducing a previously unknown or untried solution or procedure to the specific area or organization.
• Integrity refers to actions that are consistent with what one says are important. People with integrity "walk the talk" by communicating intentions, ideas and feelings openly and directly, and welcoming openness and honesty even in difficult negotiations.
• Organizational Commitment is the ability and willingness to align one’s own behaviour with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization, and to promote organizational goals to meet organizational needs. It also includes acting in accordance with organizational decisions and behaving with integrity.