Communications Assistant

The Communications Assistant is a key member of the Department of Surgery responsible for developing, curating, and sharing engaging content that highlights departmental news, events, achievements, and strategic initiatives across the website, weekly newsletter, and social media platforms to expand the Department’s presence within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Working closely with faculty, staff, and departmental stakeholders, the role involves gathering stories on site, producing accessible AODA-compliant materials, and ensuring all communications and marketing collateral align with McMaster University’s brand standards. The role will also support branding oversight, create presentation and promotional materials, and complete basic video editing for digital content. In addition, the role contributes to planning and delivering departmental events and maintains close collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences Communications team as part of a community of practice. This position reports directly to the Director of Administration.

This is a one-year contract position with a hybrid work arrangement that offers some flexibility for remote work. The role requires regular travel to hospital sites across Hamilton and may occasionally involve work outside of standard business hours to support scheduled events and departmental activities.

About McMaster University

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain the talented faculty and staff, and to foster

inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual. McMaster is recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

Working at McMaster University brings a robust total rewards package, which is more than just a salary. The elements and structure of the total rewards packages vary by employee group but include:

• Employer Paid benefits including Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance;
• Pension Plan Options & Post-Retirement Benefits;
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities;
• Employee tuition assistance for development and education
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning;
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan

Please see Total Rewards Overview for Unifor, Local 5555, Unit 1 for more Information.

https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/unifor-unit-1-total-rewards-overview/

Job Summary:

Organize and perform a full range of administrative duties that require a thorough understanding of established functions, policies, and procedures. Design multimedia content for print, web, social media and video in accordance with University brand guidelines. Plan and coordinate a variety of events. Responsible for providing direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Design multimedia content for print, web, social media and video in accordance with University brand guidelines.
• Collect and develop content for a variety of communications including but not limited to, newsletters, social media and press releases.
• Liaise with a variety of stakeholders to promote department in print and online, in cooperation with internal departments.
• Collect, analyze, assess and summarize information relevant to the decision making process and developing recommendations for final approval and implementation.
• Plan and coordinate a variety of events, conferences and activities.
• Prepare estimates of time and resources required for various events, conferences and activities.
• Greet visitors, answer or redirect general inquiries in person, by telephone and via email and respond independently to inquiries that are specific in nature and require a thorough knowledge of established policies and procedures.
• Complete travel expense reports, electronic cheque requisitions and purchase orders.
• Create a variety of documents including, but not limited to, correspondence, reports and procedure manuals.
• Monitor budgets, verify data and reconcile event accounts.
• Update and maintain information and content on websites and social networks.
• Resolve issues relating to events, committees and activities.
• Take meeting minutes for committee meetings.
• Apply standard mathematical skills such as calculations, formulas, and equations to perform a variety of calculations.
• Update and maintain confidential files and records.
• Handle sensitive material in accordance with established policies.

Supervision:

• Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff and volunteers

Requirements:

• 3 year Community College Diploma in Communications or Multimedia Design.
• Requires 2 years of related experience.

Assets:

• Website - experience/familiarity with content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress
• Ecomms - experience developing ecommunications and/or email marketing content using platforms such as Mailchimp or customer relationship management (CRM) platforms.
• Design - some graphic design experience in the adobe creative suite and Canva

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.