Brock University Students’ Union
Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Manager, Marketing & Communications
REPORTS TO: General Manager
DATE: January 2016
SALARY RANGE: $50,000 to $60,000 (negotiable based on skill set and applicant chosen)
DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Permanent Full Time
SECTION 1: PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION
The Manager, Marketing & Communications will be responsible for ensuring Brock University
Students’ Union, Inc.’s (BUSU) marketing, communications, and brand are presented, developed
and executed in a professional, impactful and consistent manner.
The Manager, Marketing & Communications will also be responsible for providing support on
marketing and communications to BUSU’s divisions, businesses, services, executives,
management and events.
Responsibility 1: Supervision
 Directly Supervises the Creative Media Manager
 Directly Supervises the Event Programmer in conjunction with the VPSS
 Directly Supervises the Marketing Coordinators
 Directly Supervises the Partnership Manager in conjunction with the VPSS
 Indirectly Supervises the Graphic Designers and other media content coordinators
 Provides mid-year and annual reviews for all full-time reports.
Responsibility 2: Marketing
 Annually hires the Marketing Coordinators in accordance with BUSU’s hiring procedures
and by-laws.
 Annually establishes the Marketing Budget for BUSU which will include the Divisional
Contributions.
 With consultation from divisional Managers and the General Manager, cCreates a
marketing plan for the beginning of each year on how each area will be promoted, and
presents it to the General Manager and incoming Executives in conjunction respective
budgets.
 Executes a cost-effective marketing plan which includes print, digital and social media as
well as other important tools and areas on campus.
 Works closely with the General Manager, Managers of the Food, Bar, Catering,
Entertainment, and Retail divisions in order to create a well-rounded, effective marketing
presence for BUSU businesses in to the hopes of improving customer service as well as
increasing sales and market share.
 Provides marketing strategies and plans for the Executives regarding programs, services
and events that BUSU provides.
 Prepares a marketing budget annually and ensures that marketing expenses are tracked in
detail for all divisions of BUSU.
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Prepares on-going analysis of performance vs. plan for marketing expenses incurred by
BUSU.
Ensures that BUSU’s online presence is effective, consistent and evolving with
technology.
Creates and maintains marketing and brand standards for the organization as a whole.
Monitors effectiveness of marketing campaigns on an on-going basis.
Annually creates a report outlining key priorities, effectiveness, recommendations for
future years and analytical comparisons for sales in the businesses and reach through
social media and other channels.
Chairs the weekly Marketing Team meetings
Any other duties as reasonably assigned by the General Manager
Responsibility 2: Social Media
 Establishes approach and goals of BUSU Social Media.
 Provides guidance on the creation or deletion of any new or established mediums of BUSU
Social Media
 Remains up to date on current trends and best practises in the field of Social Media.
 Provides execution on social media when needed.
 Ensures that a Social Media advertising budget is tracked and established in the Marketing
Budget.
Responsibility 3: Communications
 Creates a communication strategy in conjunction with the General Manager and the
Executive Committee in order to promote and attract attention to the programs, services
and events that BUSU provides.
 Provides strategic communication options for issue management to the General Manager
and Executives.
 Ensures that all communications from BUSU are professional, timely and accurate.
 Maintains a database of local and national media contacts for both print and digital media
purposes.
 Ensures that business cards for Executive and Staff are developed, ordered and
distributed annually.
 Maintain a professional and consultative communication line with University officials
related and non-related to Marketing & Communications.
 Provides training as directed by the General Manager to BUSU Executives and Staff on
effective communication strategies.
 Speaks on behalf of BUSU as directed by the General Manager and/or Executives
Responsibility 4: Events / Programming
 Supervises the Event Programmer in conjunction with the VPSS
 Creates in conjunction with Event Programmer the annual events and programming budget in
conjunction with the VPSS
 Provide updates and reports on budget vs. actuals with Event Programmer and General
Manager in conjunction with the VPSS
 Ensures that each event has a detailed cost vs revenue analysis and that expectations are
established with internal and extenral partners.
 Attends the weekly Event Team meetings with Event Programmer.
 Serves as Event Programmer on a termporary basis during any time of prolonged abscense by
the Event Programmer.
 Provides any other support needed to Event Programmer and Event Team
Responsibility 5: External Partnerships
 Supervises the Partnership Coordinator in conjunction with the VPSS
 Annually outlines a list of identified areas of need for events, programs, services or
businesses have areas where sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or donations could benefit.
 Annually develops the Sponsorship/Partnership budget for BUSU with the Partnership
Coordinator in conjunction with the VPSS
 Provides internal assistance and guidance to those staff members looking to procure
sponsorship, gifts-in-kinds, and donations.
 Assists in maintaining a contact database of sponsors/donors to ensure that they are not
over-contacted throughout the year.
 Provides support on the recruitment and quotations for table bookings from outside
vendors in BUSU space.
 Maintains contract obligations with external marketing partners including; Newad,
Imaginus and Belair Direct.
SECTION 2: REQUIREMENTS
 Experienced in Marketing/Communications (3+ years).
 Relevant University/College degree in Marketing, Communications or related field.
 Strong oral and written communication skills.
 Ability to network with internal and external partners
 Ability to address media outlets in person and through correspondence
 Creative writing ability.
 Strong attention to detail, especially related to spelling and grammar.
 Strong understanding of various marketing and communication platforms including
social media and networking.
 Willingness to acquire a working knowledge of BUSU by-laws, Constitution, Policies
and Procedures.
 Willingness to acquire a working knowledge of all BUSU businesses, programs and
services.
 Patience and willingness to accept constructive criticism and to make changes as
necessary.
 Ability to approach situations with an open and creative perspective.
 Ability to listen and think outside-the-box.
 Computer skills (word processing, power point, spreadsheet, database, and internet)
knowledge in design or web software is an asset.
 Excellent planning, organization, and time management skills.
 Ability to resolve conflict in an effective and diplomatic manner.
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Ability to produce written and oral communications in an understandable and politically
correct manner.
Ability to work independently and essential to work as part of a team.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Strong ability to work with and motivate staff.
High energy and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to attend 1-3 conferences per year.
SECTION 3: HUMAN RELATION SKILLS, PROBLEM SOLVING AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
 Regular contact with General Manager
 Daily contact with Graphic Designer, Creative Media Manager, Marketing Coordinators,
Event Programmer and Sponsorship Coordinator.
 Regular contact with BUSU Executives.
 Regular contact with Managers of BUSU.
 Regular contact with Coordinator staff of BUSU.
 Ongoing contact with students, faculty and staff.
PROBLEM SOLVING
 Manage various tasks and projects assigned in a prompt and efficient manner.
 Balance conflicting schedules.
 Resolve logistical conflicts that may arise.
SECTION 4: WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL EFFORT
The majority of the work does not require a high level of physical activity. However, the
execution of events requires a high level of physical effort. Tasks such as securing event
accessories, helping vendors set up and clearing debris fall within this job description.
ENVIRONMENT
Standard office environment; occasional driving to off-campus business events, and traveling to
professional conferences or retreats, or attending special events at various venues on and off
campus. Some events take place outdoors. The Special Events Coordinator may be asked to work
in all weather conditions from time to time, within reason.
SENSORY ATTENTION
Working on a computer, working with and communicating with students, staff and community
members. Need to listen intently and to pay attention to body language when meeting one-onone with individuals.
MENTAL STRESS
This position requires attending night meetings from time to time and working some weekends.
From time to time, the successful applicant may be asked to work hours in excess of 40 per
week, especially for the delivery of the Orientation and Frost Week programs. Event execution is
intense and stressful. Successful candidate must be able to manage stress effectively and
desirably.