Red Deer College
We are looking for an experienced Communications Strategist (Athletics) to join our diverse team at Red Deer College in Red Deer, AB.
Growing your career as a Full Time Communications Strategist (Athletics) is an incredible opportunity to develop relevant skills.
If you are strong in communication, problem-solving and have the right drive for the job, then apply for the position of Communications Strategist (Athletics) at Red Deer College today!
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
This position is open until filled, however first review of applicants will begin August 2, 2022.
Please see position summary for more details on hours of work.
Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title
Communications Strategist (Athletics)
Position Summary
The Communications Strategist, with a focus on promoting Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics, liaises with Athletics staff, coaches, student-athletes, media, and external stakeholders (e.g. ACAC and CCAA) to create awareness and a positive image about the Polytechnic’s Athletics program through proactive and reactive internal and external communications.
The Communications Strategist works as a member of the Marketing & Communications team to give voice to the legacy and importance of RDP’s Athletics teams. By utilizing Red Deer Polytechnic’s consistent brand voice and developing key messages, the Communications Strategist will partner with Athletics to strengthen the Polytechnic’s brand by encouraging community awareness and engagement with Athletics and fulfilling ACAC communication requirements.
Due to the nature of this position’s focus on communicating about RDP Athletics, the incumbent will be required to work a schedule outside of regular RDP work hours. During the Athletics season (September to April), this means that most of the incumbent’s work will be during evenings (typically Thursday, Friday) and weekends (typically Saturday). This ensures that the Polytechnic complies with media relations, social media and website reporting regulations identified by ACAC and CCAA for reporting items such as game scores and highlights.
Remaining hours in the incumbent’s work schedule will be during regular business hours, so the individual has the ability to collaborate as needed with the Marketing & Communications team and complete other tasks that will be required by the Athletics department relating to communication initiatives.
Position Responsibilities
The Communications Strategist – Corporate gives voice to what makes RDP the vibrant post-secondary institution that it is, serving our diverse learners and communities. By utilizing Red Deer Polytechnic’s consistent brand voice and developing key corporate messages, the Communications Strategist – Corporate strengthens the institution’s brand and enhances its public image through encouraging community awareness, engagement and increased enrollment of learners.
Duties Within This Role Include
Media Relations
Develop positive relationships with sports reporters working at media outlets in central Alberta, provincially and nationally to share relevant RDP Athletics information and stories. This includes, to:
Determine the most effective tools to distribute information to media
Identify and distribute information about Athletics teams, staff, coaches, student-athletes and future-focused initiatives in a proactive, positive, consistent and credible manner to the media
Interview Athletics coaches, staff and student-athletes to include their perspectives into media releases, as well as home game and away game recap stories
Write and distribute regular Athletics stories, game previews, and post-game highlights and analysis, through use of RDP-branded media releases
Pitch story ideas to relevant media to advance the institution, including Athletics vision and key messaging
Respond to media inquiries in a timely manner
Determine appropriate staff, coach and/or student-athlete to act as spokesperson for a variety of stories, and then connect media outlet to appropriate spokesperson
Coach Athletics staff, coaches, and student-athletes to ensure they are prepared for and represent the institution professionally and consistently in media interviews
Coordinate Athletics media conferences and media events
Internal Communications
Gather and finalize content from Athletics department, then collaborate with Athletics department and Marketing Strategist colleague to develop and deliver Athletics messaging through multiple platforms including on-campus digital signage and employee newsletter
External Communications
Write and submit post-game highlights and analysis, complete with photo, in a timely manner to RDP Athletics website and ACAC website after each RDP home and away games
Gather and finalize content from Athletics department, then collaborate with Athletics department and Marketing Strategist colleague to develop and deliver Athletics messaging through multiple platforms to engage with the institution’s diverse external stakeholders. Platforms include: RDP and Athletics websites, web and print publications, mass email distribution (e.g. directed to alumni) and other mediums
Assist Marketing Strategist and Athletics department to develop and finalize content for Athletics promotional materials
Collaborate with Athletics staff and coaches to compile, write and submit RDP Athletics information (e.g. Athlete of Week and other award nominations) to ACAC and CCAA
Social Media
Collaborate with Communications Strategist – Creative Writer colleague to coach Lead Attendant at home games so instant coverage can be shared on RDP Athletics social media platforms
Collaborate with Communications Strategists – Creative Writer colleague to engage with audiences on RDP Athletics social media platforms
Write and submit a variety of Athletics information (competition and non-competition) to be posted on the Polytechnic’s institutional social media accounts and Athletics official social media accounts
Required Qualifications
Two years of post-secondary education in areas of: Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism
Preferred Qualifications
Four years of post-secondary education in areas of: Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism
Professional accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and/or International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) is desired
Knowledge of diverse sports, and previous experience writing about sport teams and athletes
Previous experience working with the media and coaching internal stakeholders for media relations
Previous experience working in post-secondary sector
Salary or Hourly?
Hourly
Salary
$33.66 / hr
Benefits And Compensation Information
An additional 15% of the hourly rate in lieu of vacation, statutory holidays and benefits.
About Red Deer Polytechnic
Red Deer Polytechnic has been a pivotal part of central Alberta for nearly six decades. Since our story began as Red Deer College in 1964, we have proudly served our learners and communities with diverse programs, as well as impressive learning spaces and facilities.
In the spring of 2021, our institution was officially granted status as a polytechnic, and our new name and brand were announced soon after. As Red Deer Polytechnic, we will continue to offer the same breadth of credentials and mix of programs in a variety of subject areas that we currently offer. This means we will continue to offer apprenticeships, certificates, degrees, micro-credentials, and collaborative degrees, in addition to our own applied and baccalaureate degrees.
We welcome you to further your career with Red Deer Polytechnic. We also welcome you to join us as a vibrant gathering place creating connections our community. With two campuses and impressive facilities, Red Deer Polytechnic is an ideal place to learn, work, conduct research and enjoy events.
Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.
Posting Detail Information
Competition Number
2022-A-077
Employment Type
Permanent Part-Time
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
08/02/2022
Position End Date (if term-certain)
FTE
0.3 FTE
Hours of Work
Hours of work will vary including evenings and weekends and will be dependent upon operational needs.
Open Date
07/18/2022
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Note to Applicant
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position is open until filled, however first review of applicants will begin August 2, 2022.
Please see position summary for more details on hours of work.
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
References Names and Contact Information
Portfolio
Optional Documents
Company Benefits
Learning opportunities
Company offers career progression opportunities
Advantageous package
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