Communications Specialist - Stone Centre, UBC Vancouver

Key Duties

As the Communications Specialist for the Stone Centre on Wealth and Income Inequality, you will be instrumental in executing strategic communications and promotional strategies. Your work will directly support the centre's mission, research priorities, and public engagement goals within the Vancouver School of Economics.

• Execute strategic communications plans, including developing an editorial calendar and promotional strategies.
• Manage the Stone Centre’s online presence, creating and curating diverse content.
• Research and produce content such as feature stories, press releases, Q&As, social media posts (including LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube), photography, and videos.
• Create and maintain webpages via WordPress, showcasing centre research, initiatives, and events, including news, event listings, and RSVP links.
• Produce and publish quarterly newsletters.
• Develop presentations to effectively showcase the Stone Centre's work to various audiences.
• Provide design, illustration, and layout services, ensuring quality assurance on all graphic materials.
• Identify, support, and execute media outreach opportunities, liaising with UBC Media Relations and directly pitching to media.
• Manage the centre’s social media channels, producing regular content, analyzing analytics, and providing issues management support.
• Liaise with internal and external partners for marketing and communications materials, including coordinating photo or video shoots.
• Provide strategic recommendations and advice on knowledge exchange and marketing initiatives.
• Develop and execute promotional campaigns for in-person and online events, such as public talks, panel discussions, and conferences.
• Draft the Centre Communications Strategic Plan for knowledge mobilization activities and oversee its implementation.
• Liaise with Vancouver School of Economics and Arts Service Centre Communications teams, adhering to best practices and guidelines.
• Manage Research Assistants and Work Learn students supporting centre communications as needed.
• Draft and design Centre Annual Reports, and collaborate with Arts Development and Alumni Engagement on donor-focused materials.
• Develop and manage databases for newsletter subscribers, overseeing data privacy and consent.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate for this Communications Specialist role will bring a blend of academic background and practical experience in communications, particularly within a research or public policy context. A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is also essential for contributing to the Stone Centre's mission.

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrated commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred qualifications include specialised education and practical expertise in digital media, marketing, and communications, with a focus on areas related to inequality and wealth research.

• Education in Digital Media, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English or a related field.
• Work experience in a relevant context, preferably in research, inequality, and/or public policy environments.
• Experience in online marketing and communications capacity.
• Experience in social media content development.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, adapting styles for various purposes and audiences.
• Professional experience with at least one Content Management System (CMS) is required; familiarity with WordPress and Envoke is an asset.
• Deep familiarity with social media tools (particularly LinkedIn, YouTube, and Bluesky), channels, and trends, ideally in institutional contexts.
• Knowledge of data analytics and search engine optimization techniques.
• Basic competence with digital imaging software for photo/video editing (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).
• Basic competence in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva).
• Knowledge of HTML and web browser standards/design issues.
• Experience with audio production for podcast support.
• Demonstrated project management skills and a proven track record in coordinating marketing and communications projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working within a complex organizational structure and understanding of the academic and public sector environment.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion.
• Effective organizational, time management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for communicating issues of inequality.

Who You'll Work With

You will report directly to the Research Manager of the Stone Centre and collaborate closely with the Centre Director, Associate Directors, affiliated faculty, staff, and student fellows. This role involves liaising with the Vancouver School of Economics Communications Manager and the Arts Service Centre Communications team to ensure brand guideline adherence and a coordinated approach. You will also interact with external contacts, including vendors and media representatives, as required. The position operates with considerable autonomy, receiving guidance on strategic priorities while determining how to achieve communications goals and manage deadlines independently. You may also provide guidance to student employees, such as Research Assistants and Work Learn students, involved in communications and event support.

What's On Offer

This Communications Specialist opportunity at UBC's Vancouver Campus offers a competitive monthly compensation range of $5,964.75 - $8,573.08 CAD. You will join the Stone Centre on Wealth and Income Inequality, a prestigious research centre established in 2024 and funded by the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation. This centre is dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and knowledge mobilization around wealth and income inequality, providing valuable insights to foster a more equitable society. UBC is committed to attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce, promoting employment equity, inclusion, and fairness to create a rewarding career environment. The role offers a chance to contribute significantly to vital research and public understanding of critical societal issues, including wealth concentration and its remedies, within a supportive academic setting.