The University of Prince Edward Island invites applications from qualified individuals for a Senior Communications Advisor position. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Faculty of Medicine, this position is responsible for managing and directing communications functions with a particular emphasis on operations, media, alumni, and client relations. The position is responsible for the development and implementation of the Faculty’s communications and alumni and client engagement strategy, ongoing advisement to the Chief Operating Officer and Dean on communication issues, and serves as the key media contact for the organization. The individual will work closely with the Director of Communications and University Relations and with the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement. The position also provides substantial communications advisement and expertise to various operations team committees, working groups and development efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of high-level, long-term communications and alumni and client engagement strategy that plays a key role in the long-term growth and success of the Faculty of Medicine in respect to:

• Promoting the Faculty’s initiatives, successes, and world-class standing to both internal and external audiences
• Fostering positive interest in the Faculty of Medicine, its expertise, and initiatives in an effort to increase awareness of the Faculty of Medicine and its expertise and secure timely, accurate connection with the Faculty of Medicine in a low-cost manner
• To continually build the Faculty of Medicine’s reputation and profile in an effort to support fundraising efforts, recruitment efforts (of students, faculty, and staff) and the Faculty of Medicine’s strategic and communications plans (and corresponding budgets) with directed initiatives
• Developing and managing the Faculty of Medicine’s communications strategy in a manner that nurtures effective, proactive media relations, increases the Faculty of Medicine’s profile through traditional and social media and engagement with alumni, clients, and other stakeholders, and aligns with the University’s strategic communications priorities
• In consultation with the Director of Communications and University Relations serves as the Faculty of Medicine’s primary media contact
• Providing consultation, advice, and coaching to the Faculty of Medicine spokespersons
• Liaising with media and nurturing relations with media professionals to aid in the promotion of the Faculty of Medicine’s story and feature ideas
• Developing the Faculty’s social media platforms
• Providing ongoing issues management and identifying media opportunities
• Coordinating communications including preparing media interviews, developing materials, and providing communications advice to the Dean and COO of the Faculty of Medicine
• Analyzing communications strategy
• Playing a key role in the development, coordination, and production of key Faculty of Medicine promotional materials
• Managing special projects and events relating to the Faculty of Medicine’s communications and development objectives (i.e., Faculty of Medicine student ceremonies, grand openings, research announcements, etc.)
• Providing direction on the on-going development of the Faculty of Medicine brand and digital platforms, such as website
• Providing strategic advice and consultation on communications, media and development strategies to the Dean, Chief Operating Officer, and Dean’s Council
• Providing expertise and leadership through actively participating on a number of Faculty of Medicine and UPEI committees
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, and/or a related field, a graduate degree in Business would be considered an asset
• Experience within a post-secondary institution would be considered an asset
• Strategic communications planning, implementation, and project management skills
• Superior communications consulting skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups at all levels to identify and mitigate potential risks, manage issues, and build reputation
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information in a manner that is meaningful to various audiences
• Superior planning, organizational, and implementation skills
• Experience dealing directly with media and respect to story generation, interviews, and information gathering
• Experience in nurturing relations with media professionals
• Superior written communications skills for the development of strategies, media materials, promotional materials, special projects, and partner communications
• Promote effective communications while developing and nurturing relationships with numerous stakeholders (such as University and partner working groups, industry representatives, government, alumni, media, and donors) and diverse teams
• Ability to communicate technical information in a manner that is meaningful to various audiences