Reporting to the Director, Brand Communications and Insight, the Brand Coordinator will play a key role in the planning and coordination of targeted communication initiatives across Queen’s University community, and brand management activities designed to highlight Queen’s profile to both external and internal audiences. The Brand Coordinator provides integrated communication support to the Director and other senior administrative staff within University Relations and frequently involves highly confidential and sensitive subjects/issues. In addition, the incumbent will plan, coordinate, and organize events, providing sustained support to the internal and external initiatives, while maintaining a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Plan, coordinate, and manage communications projects and initiatives to support and promote the strategic communications process; contribute to discussions to determine department and/or unit long-term goals.
• Support communications opportunities and initiatives with university faculties, schools and departments. This will involve collaboration with individuals and groups within University Relations, and other partners and stakeholders.
• Define measurement criteria for evaluating branding and communication activities, their execution and effectiveness, and use to propose and incorporate changes that will continually improve plans for future years.
• Plan, organize and manage brand projects, providing sustained support to internal and external initiatives. Review relevant project planning & delivery processes and make recommendations for continuous improvements.
• Provide communication support to senior staff within University Relations. Support will frequently involve highly confidential and sensitive subject/issues. Prepare briefing documents, reports, presentations or other forms of sensitive and confidential correspondence.
• Liaise with diverse university stakeholders at various levels within the university, (i.e. faculties, schools and departments) to provide input and assist in the coordination of communication programs and large-scale pan-university initiatives. This includes coordinating creative materials and online content to integrate with the overall Queen’s brand strategy and visual standards.
• Develop a budget in advance of working on projects; monitor expenditures to stay within that budget; ensure that budget objectives is achieved and that payments to external suppliers are processed within the designated payment terms.
• Direct development of creative projects as assigned; this includes creating project outlines and plans, creative briefs, ad/social/brand copy for review. Coordinate the project through to final edits within the required timeframes.
• Coordinate appropriate messaging and design for various media (websites, social media, print, digital campaigns); collaborate with university constituents to ensure consistency of image and quality of brand and communication materials.
• Adhere to university brand and engagement initiatives and activities in response to cultural and social trends and following the principles within inclusivity and diversity.
• Represent University Relations on committees and special projects in support of University Relations.
• Undertake and implement special projects and other duties as assigned.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Promotes the value of diversity and the importance of being an inclusive organization and ensures equitable and fair treatment of others and actively works to make the workplace inclusive for all individuals.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to independently plan and coordinate projects, including working with outside vendors, monitor and update project tasks/timelines and budgets, and delivering on campaign goals/objectives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written, and a high level of tact, discretion and good judgment to deal with different situations and topics. Includes sensitivity to client issues and understanding of the importance of diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Ability to work with many different individuals across the university and to build and maintain strong relationships (senior administrators, faculty, students, media and government offices). Must be an excellent team player and have the ability to work simultaneously with many individuals and departments to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple tasks and stay focused on high impact initiatives. Able to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Excellent technical aptitude with the ability to learn new systems and software.
• Strong research and analytical skills in order to collect, process, and summarize data. Understanding of marketing research methodologies. Able to facilitate focus groups.
• Capable of writing copy for diverse audiences (i.e. internal and external) on various platforms.

DECISION MAKING:
• Make recommendations when to consult stakeholders in making communications decisions to ensure there is appropriate collaboration and engagement. Verify accuracy of content of information and its distribution requirements, including appropriate management of sensitive and confidential information, recipients and delivery formats.
• Determine most efficient process in developing identified communication initiatives, providing recommendations to the Director, Brand Communications and Insight.
• Determine form, content and most effective means of distribution for various types of communications.
• Make recommendations on creative strategies to help promote the success stories and activities within University Relations.
• Determine appropriate research and information collections sources.
• Determine and establish timelines and logistics for planning successful events.