Communications Manager

Description

The Communications Manager is responsible for ensuring that PKP team members, partners, and stakeholders are informed of PKP's activities and facilitates community engagement. The Communications Manager develops and manages PKP’s internal and external communication tools, strategies, and policies and maintains consistent messaging and brand identity across channels.

The Communications Manager reports to the Managing Director, is part of the PKP Operations Management Team, and consults with the Associate Directors.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement communications strategies by analyzing the needs of various audiences from among PKP’s stakeholders, and create and distribute promotional materials and articles according to those needs. Ensure that strategies are scalable and replicable.

• Maintain PKP’s overall brand identity in close collaboration with graphic designers (in-house and external) and other stakeholders on the PKP team. 

• Coordinate the creation and design of communications and marketing material, including posters, brochures, advertisements and other types of print and online media. 

• Coordinate and implement PKP communications on a variety of platforms. 

• Represent PKP, when required, at internal and external events.

• Lead the organization, marketing and hosting of PKP events.

• Oversee the PKP online presence to ensure a consistent brand identity. 

• Work closely with our Publishing Services and Community Outreach teams to support the financial growth and sustainability of PKP. 

• Brainstorm, create, and implement evaluation mechanisms to determine the effectiveness of communication strategies.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in communications, or a closely related role. 

• A degree in Communications / Marketing or another related field is desirable, as is knowledge or experience with academic libraries or scholarly publishing.

• Excellent knowledge of communications, marketing, and brand development strategies, including digital communications and marketing across various channels.

• Experience with professional social media management on behalf of an organization, preferably in a global context.

• Ability to develop and implement communications strategies aligned to PKP’s strategic priorities and plan;

• Strong relationship building skills within complex environments.

• Experience with community engagement and outreach, including demonstrated ability to liaise with diverse communities.

• Ability to work collaboratively and resolve disagreements effectively with a diverse range of individuals and stakeholders.

• Ability to advance SFU’s mandate to Indigenize and decolonize our programs and services.

• Astute attention to detail, with a keen eye for visual design quality.

• Ability to fine-tune writing and materials to the needs of specific audiences. 

• Excellent communication skills in English is essential; additional language abilities are highly desirable.

• Excellent project management, and organizational skills including the ability to work on multiple initiatives concurrently.

• A general comfort in learning and communicating about our software and how it is used.

• Experience in event planning is desirable. 

Working arrangements

This is an initial 1-year independent contractor position, with the possibility of extension and with opportunities for advancement within the role.

PKP is a remote team. This position offers a flexible working arrangement with the ability to work remotely. The chosen candidate should be highly motivated and able to work independently under limited supervision. The position is full-time (35 hours / week). Working hours are flexible throughout the week, with some obligation to participate in scheduled meetings, conferences, webinars, etc.

Salary

$71,000 - 84,000 CAD annually, depending on experience and hours worked (inclusive of pay in lieu of benefits and vacation).

Application process

Please apply with a resume, cover letter, and optionally some examples of your communications work, no later than 4pm Pacific Time on May 31, 2021.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The Public Knowledge Project is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all genders, visible minorities, persons of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ identified persons.

Applications can be sent to James MacGregor, Managing Director (interim) at jbm9@sfu.ca.

About PKP

PKP is a university-based initiative developing (free) open source software and conducting research to improve the quality, reach, and diversity of scholarly publishing. PKP’s various website platforms, including Open Journal Systems, Open Preprint Systems, and Open Monograph Press, guide users through the editorial workflow of scholarly publishing, including submission, review, editing, publishing and indexing. Thousands of people around the world are now using the software to publish independent journals on a peer-reviewed and open access basis, greatly increasing the public and global contribution of research and scholarship.

PKP works with several stakeholders, including sustainers, donors, and development partners who provide financial support; software developers and programmers who contribute to the ongoing development of open source software; and strategic partners who consult with PKP on strategic goals. 

In addition to supporting free, open source software, PKP offers journal hosting to organizations from around the world, including university libraries, scholarly and scientific societies and associations, commercial publishers, non-profit organizations, and independent scholar-publishers.

PKP is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment. We believe an open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We seek to contribute to efforts and goals to develop and support the decolonization of scholarly publishing, to collaborate in postcolonial publishing initiatives, and to provide the means for a diversity of academic inquiry and voices to readily engage in scholarly publishing.
For more information on PKP, please see our Organization page.