Communications Officer (Creative Specialist), Communications Department – Education Centre

Posting #24.064

Communications Officer (Creative Specialist) (MM2) Communications Department – Education Centre

The Waterloo Region District School Board is situated in Canada’s innovation heartland, where we are celebrating the gifts of each and every student by creating limitless opportunities for them to flourish, grow and become their best selves. The Board provides a comprehensive educational program for approximately 65,000 students in the Region of Waterloo. The Board is the seventh largest public school district in Ontario with 16 secondary schools, 106 elementary schools and approximately 11,000 staff members. Additional information regarding the Board is available on the Board’s website at www.wrdsb.ca.

Position Summary

The Communications Officer (Creative Specialist) will be responsible for motion graphics, video production, graphic design and photography.  The candidate will help in the development and production of graphic design and marketing collateral that supports the organization’s Strategic Plan and the goals of the Communications Department.

This role covers a broad set of responsibilities requiring expertise in strategic storytelling through video and imagery, brand development and consistency, working knowledge of website best practices, digital and social media, as well as communications design, development and execution. The successful applicant will develop creative concepts in support of the initiatives, stories, and personalities of 121 schools and their staff, students and communities.

The successful candidate will develop storyboards, write scripts, direct talent, and coordinate video and photo shoots. This role will support corporate messages from the Director of Education and Chief Communications Officer. This role will support the development of labour relations and collective bargaining communications and create messages and materials for all unionized employees of the board. The incumbent will work closely with the Communications Officer (Social Media) in developing digital media strategies, engagement campaigns, marketing plans, advertising and communication tactics. The candidate will develop and review content for web, print, and broadcast.  This role will support the development of the Annual Report, WRDSB publications, brochures, postcards, flyers, posters, invitations, and resource materials. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring materials are AODA compliant and that all WRDSB resources are in line with our brand standards. This role will have an active role in the development of the content, branding and design of the internal and external websites.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Communications.

The successful applicant for this Mid-Management Level 2 position (salary range of $85,846 – $99,930), will be working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, effective as soon as possible.

Responsibilities

  • Develop storyboards, write scripts, direct talent, and coordinate video and photo shoots;

  • Develop digital media strategies, engagement campaigns, marketing plans, advertising and communication tactics;

  • Responsible for filming and editing marketing materials;

  • Develop and review content for web, print, and broadcast;

  • Support the development of the Annual Report, WRDSB publications, brochures, postcards, flyers, posters, invitations, and resource materials;

  • Supporting the design process for the internal and external websites;

  • Maintaining brand consistency across the WRDSB;

  • Support corporate messages from the Director of Education and Chief Communications Officer;

  • Assisting with social media branding;

  • Support the development of labour relations and collective bargaining communications and create messages and materials for all unionized employees of the board;

  • Taking professional photos and contributing to a photography library;

  • Supporting school communications and events;

  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Film Production or related field along with 3-4 years relevant experience;

  • Or diploma in Video Production, Graphic Design, Web/Multimedia, Communications or a related field along with 5-6 years of relevant experience;

  • Professional working knowledge of video equipment set-up, manual functions of a video camera, proper set-up of portable lighting kits, audio optimization, and ability to plan and shoot video in a storytelling format;

  • Knowledge of digital platforms, such as web, mobile and social media in order to collaborate with technical teams to produce digital solutions;

  • Creative, artistic and inspired to share the stories and successes of WRDSB students, staff, families and stakeholders;

  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, G Suite and Microsoft Office;

  • Able to design to various environments, size, scale, colour-manage and prep files (print/web);

  • Knowledge of industry trends, software, media and user experience;

  • Able to work well in a fast paced environment and willing to accept direction and guidance

  • Able to work efficiently independently and as part of a team;

  • Able to liaise with various departments across the organization;

  • Photography skills and experience an asset;

  • Knowledge of WordPress or other content management systems an asset;

  • Experience working in a public sector organization an asset;

  • Knowledge in web streaming an asset;

  • Experience and knowledge in website development an asset;

  • Experience in a public-sector organization and unionized environment is an asset;

  • Provision of own vehicle for Board business and the requirement to travel to WRDSB sites. 

Candidates are asked to electronically submit a copy of their covering letter and resume, quoting posting #24.064 – Communications Officer – Creative Specialist, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024 to Laurie Pett, Human Resources Officer at management_resumes@wrdsb.ca.

The Waterloo Region District School Board is committed to equity in employment.  We are committed to fair and equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve, who will foster the success and well-being of our students and who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in the classroom.

We actively encourage application from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

  • First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;

  • Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;

  • Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities; and

  • Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

We will make any appropriate accommodation based on any of the human rights protected grounds, to support candidate participation in the hiring process.

Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process to support applicants with disabilities.

While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No phone calls please.

jeewan chanicka
Director of Education and Secretary

IABC Waterloo