Associate Director, Marketing, Communications & External Relations

at  Queens University

Associate Director, Marketing, Communications & External Relations
About Queen’s University
Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.
We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
Come work with us!
Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation (“ED”), the Associate Director, Marketing, Communications & External Relations is responsible for the development, direction and implementation of a comprehensive marketing, communication and business development plans designed to enhance the mission, image and reputation of Queen’s University’s Athletics and Recreation programs and events. This will be done by proactively developing and implementing strategies that develop a sales and service framework and processes to be mobilized across the departments.
The incumbent will provide leadership to the teams of people for partnerships, marketing, and communications. Success in this position will be through focus on delivering increased revenue and overseeing the execution of partnerships and marketing opportunities to enhance the overall business development.
As a member of the senior management team, the incumbent will participate in the development of annual and long-term plans. The position involves independent decision-making, responsibility and personal initiative.
This position is located in Kingston and flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends are required.
Job Description

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University Degree in business, marketing, communications or other applicable area of study.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role, including managing and directing staff.
• Minimum 5 years senior level experience in marketing, communications or partnerships.
• Evidence of strong strategic, business and marketing acumen.
• Proven knowledge and familiarity in the sport environment and context.
• Proven management and leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to strategize, deliver on priorities, motivate and direct staff.
• Demonstrated ability in strategy development and implementation, budget and revenue forecasting and program analysis.
• Evidence of successful communications across a wide range of mediums and across a wide variety of partners and audiences.
• Experience in supervision and management in a unionized environment.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Innovative with the ability to exercise good judgment in making independent decisions.
• Ability to facilitate groups of people to work towards, and succeed with, shared goals.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with people at all levels (students, staff, coaches, senior administration, faculty, alumni, media, community, business leaders).
• Thrive in an environment with competing demands and remain focused upon key divisional objectives in managing scarce resources.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness with the ability to recognize opportunities to enhance the image and reputation of Queen’s University and the Athletic and Recreation Division.
• Result oriented, assuming responsibility for development, implementation and completion of projects/initiatives.
• Proven relationship building skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours in a demanding and dynamic environment.

• Promotes a culture of inclusivity that embodies A&R values, with a commitment to the university’s equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusivity, and Indigenization initiatives designed to foster an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Participate as a member of the senior management team, contributing to the development of a culture of excellence within the Division.
• Provide leadership to the marketing, communications and partnerships, providing the necessary vision and direction in the areas of marketing, sponsorship, external relations, communication, public relations, sports information, revenue generation and management.
• Lead the development, direction and implementation of a comprehensive sponsorship, marketing, communications and service design that will enhance the mission, image and reputation of Queen’s Athletics & Recreation.
• Develop and execute a marketing, communications and service delivery plan that allows Athletics and Recreation to maximize revenue potential. Design and implement revenue generating proposals and activities.
• Lead all communication and issues management related to A&R. Coordinate with partners as required and the Executive Director.
• Create and manage marketing, service and communication processes for internal users.
• Oversee the development of sport, campus and external communications and public relations, advising senior management as required.
• Lead and conduct a focus on cultivating third party revenue generating opportunities via sponsorship and partnerships with community partners and beyond.
• Responsible for revenue generation that is directly linked to the promotion and communication of all areas and departments across Athletics & Recreation. This is inclusive of partnerships within recreation, recreation internal programming, third party event rentals or community events and high-performance competitions and deliverables.
• Responsible for securing “value in kind” that creates cost containment in the delivery of the breadth of programs and services within the department.
• Develops and fosters proactive relationships with a breadth of partners across campus and the Kingston community that secure business partnerships that drive revenue, eliminate/reduce cost of services and increase efficiencies.
• Monitors and provides strategic analysis of trends, government policy, legislation and pan-industry events that may impact Athletics & Recreation and the student and patron experience.
• Develop comprehensive business plans and go-to-market programs and initiatives that increase and diversify sources of revenue from programs, facilities, marketing and fundraising initiatives at a level to maintain and grow top quality sport and recreational programs and services.
• Assumes responsibility for strategic business partnerships that support revenue generation through strategic marketing, facility, hosting, program and related services. Leads strategic hosting applications (and organizing committees), partnership initiatives and discussions. Coordinates department deliverables in support of partnership commitments.
• Provide leadership in the areas of webcasting, social media, website application and new media initiatives.
• Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigate, address and resolve employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation.