POSITION DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Position:
Communications & Events Manager
Reports to:
General Manager
Direct reports: Five
Location:
OUSA, University of Otago, Dunedin
Organisation:
The OUSA provides a diverse range of services to its 20,000 student members at the University of
Otago. An autonomous body with registered charity status and independence from the University,
OUSA offers activities and support to students including:
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A confidential support and welfare advice service, representation and advocacy
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Numerous recreation clubs and societies and the facilities to support these
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A varied events programme
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A student radio station (Radio One)
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An award-winning student magazine (Critic).
The OUSA Organisational Plan details the OUSA strategy and services, including the contribution of
the Communications & Events Team. This role leads the delivery on the Plan.
The OUSA Executive (the elected student members) run campaigns and represents student views to
the University and other external bodies.
OUSA’s core responsibility is to engage its student members through services, events, representation
and communication by way of a relevant, responsible, inclusive and engaging approach.
Communications & Events Team:
The Communications and Events team has come together following a structure refresh.
The OUSA crafts the look and the story that needs to be told about student life. The designer is a key
role presenting a sharp visual image for the many OUSA events, media and campaigns. The
communications coordinator is the conduit between the media and OUSA communicating the story
that needs to be told about student life.
The events staff organise and facilitate a diverse range of events for our 20,000 student members
providing the ultimate student experience.
This includes the biggest, most diverse Orientation festival in New Zealand, Battle of the Bands,
Market Days, Art Week, Re-Orientation, Capping Show, Post-Graduate Family Day, the OUSA Ball,
the International Food Festival, Intercultural Night, Carnival Day, Future DJ, Graduation processions,
Art Installations, End of Year celebration and various music and other events throughout the year.
The Communications and Events Manager reports to the OUSA General Manager and has
responsibility for financial performance, reporting, staffing, service delivery, planning, leadership and
special projects.
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The Communications and Events team shares expertise and synergies with Radio 1, Critic, the OUSA
Clubs & Societies Centre, OUSA Student Support, and OUSA Communications and Design as well as
the University Union and external partners.
The OUSA operates within a framework of harm minimisation and positive engagement with relevant
authorities.
Position purpose:

Ensure the look of the OUSA is sharp and a consistent message about student life is told.

Ensure the diverse range of events for the OUSA’s 20,000 student members provide the
ultimate student experience.

Develop and manage budgets and report accurately to ensure good management and
governance of the OUSA.

Staff and volunteer recruitment, development and retention.

Contribute to strategic planning, management of the OUSA team and special projects.
Areas of Responsibility
Area
Excellent
Communications
Organise events
Enhance other OUSA
services
Financial and Reporting
Manage staff and
volunteers
Leadership
Process Improvement and
planning
Expected Outputs
The look of the OUSA is crisp, contemporary and student friendly.
‘Design’ is a key part of all OUSA activity
The strategic communications plan is implemented
Member and stakeholder engagement is high, oversight of all
OUSA communications is maintained, excellent presence in social
media
• The OUSA President has ‘press secretary’ support
• The Events section of the OUSA Organisational Plan, including
KPIs is delivered
• Negotiate contracts to get the right acts at the right price for the
right events
• Student satisfaction, use and importance ratings targets for events
are achieved
• Share expertise and synergies with Radio 1, Critic, the OUSA
Clubs & Societies Centre, OUSA Student Support, and OUSA
Communications and Design as well as the University Union and
external partners
• Communications and Design support across all OUSA - as well as
Radio 1 and Critic as required
• Prepare, work within and report on budgets
• Prepare monthly and other reports as required
• Recruit, develop and retain staff and volunteers
• Ensure volunteers have the best experience possible while helping
ensure the success of our events
• Contribute to the development of the OUSA Strategic and
Operational Plans.
• Contribute to management meetings and the overall management
of the OUSA
• Lead special projects
• Identification and implementation of improvements to internal
financial control processes and procedures
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Personal Attributes
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Working Collaboratively
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Communication
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Planning and Organising
Managing Change
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Problem Solving and
Results Focused
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Ability to build and maintain credible and productive relationships
with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
Ability to effectively and diplomatically relate to a diverse range of
people
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Extensive range of persuasion and influencing techniques used
and ensures the organisation and its vision and services are
consistently presented in a strong, positive image to all
stakeholders
All communications delivered in an accurate, professional and
timely manner
Facilitates communication across the OUSA to ensure good
outcomes
Manages self, resources and workload to meet timelines, even
under pressure
Is organised and keeps all files and documents in order.
Understands, positively responds to, and supports change
Is flexible and resilient to meet the ever changing needs of the
OUSA
Results focused and committed to the highest standards of
performance
Seeks to involve stakeholders in joint problem solving
Anticipates problems and proactively resolves them in an
appropriate manner
Qualifications and Experience

Significant experience and proven management results

Content expertise in communications or events

Excellent ability to negotiate and write contracts

Proven ability to meet or exceed targets: business, stakeholder and audience
outcomes

Experience with or a clear ability to work within a harm minimisation framework

Must be able to demonstrate affinity with OUSA student needs and wants

Strong negotiation skills required to get the right acts at the right price for the right
events

Significant people leadership experience, with volunteer leadership an asset

Relevant networks

Intermediate expertise in MS Office: Excel, Word and PowerPoint

High standards of professionalism, ethics and integrity
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Tertiary level qualification preferred but relevant experience is also recognised
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