Marketing Specialist

Overview
The Marketing Specialist is responsible for the research, development, coordination, and promotion of marketing efforts for a defined area within the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA). The incumbent is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring strategic marketing initiatives designed to maximize awareness of their areas, drive student engagement and ensure the objectives and goals of the Federation are achieved.

The Marketing Specialist will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications and other internal staff and students to develop, implement, and measure the effectiveness of marketing plans and strategies. This also includes managing part time staff who create materials and promote organizational efforts to the campus community.

The Marketing Specialist must have the foresight to recommend progressive improvements and initiatives to keep our marketing strategies and promotions fresh and competitive.

Responsibilities

Strategic planning and budgeting

Develops annual marketing plans and termly promotions-based marketing action plans to outline goals and strategies used to support growth towards reaching organizational priorities
Integrates marketing strategies into all media, including social media, web, and print communications
Monitors and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans by designing and using instruments such as evaluation forms, questionnaires, surveys, and focus groups
Develops, maintains, and provides training and brand guidelines to be used in the creation of all online and print communications
Works with the Communications and Media Relations Manager and Web Design Specialist to determine web presence for areas of focus
Produces and manages an annual marketing budget
Reports on results from all marketing and operational efforts to measure effectiveness of all programs and spending
Creates promotions that engage the entire university community
Develops strategies for and oversees the purchasing and deployment of promotional merchandise

Project Execution

Manages and oversees the implementation of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association’s marketing strategy for their defined areas
Sets direction and supervises all design and copy for marketing and communications materials for their defined area, with final approval from Director of Marketing and Communications
Works in collaboration with the Digital Media Specialist to manage social media presence proactively and reactively for their areas including assistance with content and promotional suggestions
Co-manages the weekly WUSA Poster Run marketing service
Executes large-scale marketing projects and campaigns aimed at various audiences on campus and in the community
Completes market research, including identification, monitoring and data analysis of the undergraduate student population, marketing trends and satisfaction surrounding their areas of focus and share this data within the Federation with assistance from Data Analyst and Research and Policy Officer
Develops and ensures consistent, reliable processes for marketing activities including writing post plan analysis reports containing team feedback for continuous improvement of all marketing initiatives
Liaises with department staff and partners and ensures satisfaction at all stages of design implementation

Relationship Management and Collaboration

Meets with internal staff, students, and Executives to coordinate cross departmental marketing and communications initiatives
Collaborates with fellow Marketing Specialists to co-manage part-time staff, schedule promotional efforts and division of resources, explore strategic alignment opportunities and co-promote WUSA initiatives
Works with the Communications and Media Relations Manager and Digital Media Specialist to ensure integration of marketing and promotional plans with the Federation’s digital media strategies
Negotiates strategic alliances with external companies and organizations acceptable to the Federation for promotions and other services
Creates strong relationships with other key departments on campus to identify opportunities for collaboration to increase communication and enhance resources available to students on campus
Collaborates with other marketing professionals on and off campus and to ensure best practice development

Staff Management and Development

Hires, trains, and manages a team of part time student staff to help with creation and distribution of marketing materials
Implements an effective recruitment plan for part time staff, manage their payroll information and ensure appropriate levels of staff are available to respond to the Federation’s requests
Creates opportunities for leadership and development whenever possible within the part time staff
Executes termly staff evaluations and regular check-ins with staff to provide constructive feedback and allow for additional training and sharing of resources as needed
Organizes and implements staff appreciation initiatives to celebrate staff and encourage retention

Qualifications
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related post-secondary degree with equivalent experience
Minimum of 3 years of experience within a marketing role
Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising, evaluating and coaching part time employees
Experience with the design and implementation of successful product-branding strategies
Experience with collecting customer feedback via surveys, focus groups, and mystery shopper programs
Experience working within a student-driven environment is an asset
Experience working for a not-for-profit or advocacy organization is an asset
Experience marketing to a student audience is an asset
Building strong relationships with internal and external parties to create new partnerships and foster future business opportunities
Strategic planning and project management skills
Strong understanding of social media
Advanced: MS Office suite of products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Intermediate: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, InCopy)
Persuasive communication skills – oral and written
Strong organizational skills and time management skills
Effective relationship-builder/collaborator
Solid understanding of business operations and how the marketing process is an asset
Sensitive and adaptable to change

Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.