York U: Redefine the Possible
 

Complete Position Details

Posting Number: YUSA-10589
Position Title: Communications Coordinator
Department: Communications & Public Affairs Division
Category: Administrative/Secretarial/Clerical
Reports To: Director, Strategic Communications
Affiliation/Union: YUSA
Band: 15
Salary: Annual salary of $71,741
Hours of Work: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Position Start Date: August 1, 2017   Position End Date: January 31, 2019
Full-Time / Part-Time: Full-Time
Duration: Limited Term
 
Purpose:
The Communications & Public Affairs (C&PA) Division is responsible for advancing York University's image and reputation by providing strategic advice and counsel to York senior management; disseminating news; developing and implementing internal and external communications, strategic marketing, special events; and developing relationships with key constituency groups, including alumni, donors, community groups and all levels of government. C&PA includes the following units: Media Relations, Marketing & Creative Services, Strategic Communications, and Strategic Initiatives & Administration.

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications, the Communications Coordinator communicates the aims, achievements and objectives of the University through a variety of tools to protect, maintain and enhance the University's image. This position is primarily responsible for the day to coordinating, writing and editing content for York University’s magazine circulated to over 250,000 readers.
 
Responsibilities:
EDITORIAL/WRITING SERVICES:
Assists the Director, Strategic Communications in developing a detailed editorial story line-up for each issue based on his/her on own ideas and by facilitating the development of story ideas proposed by staff or others; liaises with Alumni Relations and other units within the university regarding regular contributions from those sources. Ensures story lineups are balanced and include material of interest to a wide readership, including alumni, donors, parents, faculty, staff, and students in support of the University’s strategic objectives. Editorship level responsibility for YorkU magazine acting as content editor for the publication by coordinating the editorial content of the magazine. Problem solves issues as required to ensure schedule is adhered to and YorkU magazine editorial schedule is executed effectively to meet production timelines. This includes close collaboration with the YorkU writers, and designers. Chairs the weekly editorial content meeting. Conducts final copy edit of all issue content. Researches, interviews, writes and edits news and feature articles; reports on general, scholarly, administrative developments and fundraising initiatives and events. Determines whether copy submitted by internal or external sources meets editorial standards for a major University publication. Ensures all editorial content reflects the mandate of YorkU magazine. Works closely with the Director, Strategic Communications to ensure that the magazine reflects the highest possible quality and to help shape, refine and evolve content. Provides writing support for other publication/promotional work undertaken by the division including marketing copy-writing and yFile articles. Percentage of time: 90%

OTHER DUTIES AS REQUIRED. Percentage of time: 10%
 
Contacts:
Type: Internal Faculty, Staff, administrators, students.
Purpose: Research and develop editorial material for University purposes To establish sound working relationships when developing material and responding to queries.

Type: Alumni, Business and Government Leaders, External suppliers, representatives from other Organizations.
Purpose: Research and develop editorial material for University purposes To establish sound working relationships when developing material and responding to queries.
 
Communications:
English
  • Basic reading skills (eg. Scanning text, reading forms, etc)
  • Basic writing skills (eg. Writing brief notes, completing forms, etc.)
  • Comprehends written material (eg. Asking & answering simple or repetitive questions, etc.)
  • Write non-complex documents (eg. Extracting information/details, reading reports/correspondence, etc.)
  • Sustains conversation on specific topics (eg. Explains standard policies/procedures/services, etc.)
  • Comprehends complex texts (eg. Reading & interpreting policy papers/research papers/technical reports, etc.)
  • Composes documents (eg. Drafting reports/recommendations/research papers/summaries, etc.)
  • Sustains in-depth conversation (eg. Interpreting & expressing complicated ideas, making presentations, etc.)
 
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Affiliation   Number of Individuals   Direct/Indirect   Type
YUSA-2   3-6   Indirect   Administrative/Secretarial/Clerical

The following supervisory responsibilities are required for the individuals listed in the corresponding affiliation:
Affiliation   Responsibilities
YUSA-2  
  • Training and Development
  • Provides direction or instructions
  • Participates in Hiring
 
Physical & Sensory Demands/Environmental Conditions:
VDT use: 60%
Prolonged visual attention: 60%
Walking/mobility: 5%
Prolonged audio attention: 30%
Hand/finger dexterity: 40%
Prolonged sitting: 60%
 
Education:
University degree or equivalent in Journalism, Communications (Mass or Corporate), Marketing or English.
 
Experience:
7 - 9 years' recent relevant experience in editorial/publications positions, with at least 4 years’ experience as a senior editor of a publication representing "editorship" level experience.
 
Skills:
Tact and diplomacy skills in addition to awareness of and ability to work within a political environment; professional writing - particularly news writing – as well as advanced research, communications planning and diplomacy; working effectively under pressure of high volume and meeting deadlines; working independently and exercising good judgment; researching and interviewing; writing and editing news articles for publication and promotional material; excellent oral and written communications skills; word-processing, internet, web authoring technology and/or desktop and web publishing; high degree of energy and excellent organizational skill; ability to track and plan numerous communication initiatives by sustaining in-depth questioning and interpretation of complicated ideas; ability to comprehend complex materials including research papers, policy papers and technical reports.
 
 
Additional Notes:
Please Note: This position requires the candidate to provide a verification of degree(s), credentials(s), or equivalencies from accredited institutions and/or international equivalents at the time of the interview.
 
Job Specifications:
Overtime Availability in this Position: Rare.Overtime may be necessary during peak periods.
Peak Period Definition: September to June
Vacation Restriction Definition: Must avoid publication deadlines.
 
Dates:
Internal Posting Date: July 14, 2017
Internal Application Deadline: July 21, 2017
 
Extended Posting Date: July 25, 2017
Extended Application Deadline: August 8, 2017
 
External Posting Date: July 25, 2017
External Application Deadline: August 8, 2017

Please Note: All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the posted deadline date.

Thank you for your interest in a career with York University.

Are you interested in applying to YUSA-10589? To apply to this position click the following link to access our online application portal: https://hr2.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=13474

During the application process, please ensure that:

  • You have submitted a complete application package using our online application portal*. A complete application package consists of the completed application form, a cover letter and resume by 4:30 p.m. on the posted deadline date. When emailing your application package, ensure that you have attached the resume, cover letter, and application form to your email.
  • A complete application package has been submitted for each job posting you are applying for.
  • You have quoted the appropriate posting number on your application form and in the subject line of your email. Please keep the posting number and position description for future reference or inquiries.

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within the University's employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and aboriginal persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. York University is committed to employment equity and diversity and a positive and supportive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.

Please note, due to the high volume of applications received only those selected for an interview will be contacted.