Communications Officer, Recruitment (Marketing & Communications)

Trent University is actively committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact Human Resources.

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Recruitment Marketing & Communications, the Communications Officer for Recruitment is a key member of the University’s central marketing and communications team, which is responsible for recruitment and enrolment marketing as well as managing Trent’s reputation. Emphasizing innovation in creating compelling recruitment communications, this position supports the reputation, and strategic enrolment management objectives of the University. Working with a high-caliber team of communications and marketing professionals, as well as representatives from across the University, the Communications Officer coordinates, writes, and produces communications materials for external and internal audiences, serves as a key communications resource for Recruitment & Admissions, and contributes to integrated communications planning across the institution.

Key Activities:

Strategic Communications & Planning

• Builds awareness, reputation, engagement and enrolment through strong working relationships with colleagues across Marketing & Communications, Recruitment & Admissions, academic departments and administrative units.
• Collaborates on the development and implementation of integrated recruitment marketing and communications plans, strategies and campaigns that support undergraduate recruitment, applicant conversion and enrolment objectives.
• Contributes to goal setting and measures and reports on targets, metrics and key performance indicators for recruitment marketing and communications initiatives.
• Builds relationships and engages with faculty, staff and student leaders across both campuses to identify stories, successes, areas of expertise and recruitment opportunities that support institutional priorities and strategic enrolment goals.
• Drives innovation by researching marketing trends, emerging communications practices, audience insights, and new digital strategies to strengthen recruitment marketing effectiveness.
• Participates in integrated communications planning and contributes to the coordination of key institutional recruitment campaigns and initiatives.

Content Development

• Plans, writes, creates and edits high-quality, and compelling recruitment-focused communications and marketing materials for internal and external audiences across a variety of channels and platforms.
• Develops content including, but not limited to, e-communications, web, social media, marketing campaigns, publications, brochures, viewbooks, newsletters, videos and supporting recruitment materials.
• Actively sources and develops student, faculty, alumni and program stories, profiles and feature content that support recruitment objectives and showcase the student experience.
• Drafts advertising and marketing concepts and copy for review and approval by management.
• Develops recruitment presentations, messaging and supporting materials for use by Recruitment & Admissions and other University partners.
• Coordinates suppliers and external partners, overseeing projects from concept through production and delivery.

Social Media & Digital Support

• Supports the strategic development and execution of recruitment-focused digital marketing and social media initiatives.
• Creates content for recruitment-related social media and digital campaigns.
• Writes, monitors and maintains fresh, relevant and accurate content across recruitment websites, including Future Students and related digital platforms.
• Develops and supports digital content assets, including photography, video, podcasts, webinars and multimedia content that enhance recruitment, admissions and enrolment marketing efforts.
• Explores innovative approaches to integrating written, visual and digital content to improve audience engagement and campaign performance.
• Posts content to social media, Trent News, myTrent portal and other communications tools as they evolve.

Issues Management

• Acts as a back-up for communications support related to issues management, media relations and emergency communications.
• Supports implementation of crisis and emergency communications strategies as required, including communications related to campus operations, human resources matters, and emerging issues.
• Develops briefing materials, backgrounders, key messages and speaking points for senior administration and institutional representatives as required.
• Accesses and synthesizes confidential and sensitive information to support communications planning and issues management activities.
• Maintains discretion and confidentiality with respect to sensitive files, projects and communications matters.

Project Management & Administrative Duties

• Meets with internal departments to identify objectives, provide communications support and coordinate recruitment marketing initiatives and projects.
• Liaises with designers, photographers, videographers, printers and other suppliers to ensure quality standards, timelines and project objectives are achieved.
• Assists with marketing and communications needs for the planning and delivery of recruitment events and initiatives, including Open Houses and other prospective student engagement activities.
• Provides project management support for recruitment marketing campaigns, publications and communications initiatives.
• Supervises and provides direction to student employees supporting recruitment marketing and communications activities.
• Participates as a contributor to University-wide integrated communications planning and committees as required.
• Attends regular meetings with Recruitment & Admissions, Marketing & Communications and other stakeholders to support strategic planning and coordination.
• Estimates budgets for communications materials and projects and ensure timely, on-budget delivery.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education Required:

• Four (4) year Honours degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, or a related field is required.
• A postgraduate degree, diploma, or certificate in a related field may be considered an asset.

Experience/Qualifications Required:

• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in professional writing, marketing and/or communications experience, preferably in a large public sector or corporate setting, is required.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling content and tailor messaging to a variety of audiences
• Experience in recruitment marketing, enrolment marketing, lead generation, audience engagement, and student recruitment communications is considered an asset.
• Proven ability to develop and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies, including campaign planning, drip marketing, performance monitoring, and optimization based on results.
• Strong understanding of marketing principles, audience segmentation, content strategy, and digital engagement tactics.
• Demonstrated experience creating content for multiple platforms, including websites, social media, email marketing, publications, presentations, video, and other digital communications channels.
• Skilled in photography, videography, and the creation of digital and multimedia content.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong conceptual thinking and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and work across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, tact, discretion, and professionalism, particularly when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.
• Proficiency with computer systems and digital communications platforms, including email marketing tools, web content management systems, social media platforms, analytics tools, Slate CRM, Microsoft Office applications, and related technologies.
• Knowledge of the Ontario secondary and post-secondary education sectors, student recruitment trends, and prospective student audiences is considered an asset.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, customer-service oriented, and receptive to feedback and direction.

Supervision:

• Supervise and direct the activities of student employees.